A recent study by the American Cancer Society has revealed a disturbing trend: Generation X and millennials in the U.S. have a higher risk of developing 17 cancers compared to older generations.
The study, which analyzed cancer rates across different birth cohorts, found that incidence rates continued to rise in successively younger generations in 17 of the 34 cancer types. These cancers include breast, pancreatic, gastric, kidney, small intestinal, liver, uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, colorectal, ovarian, anal, and Kaposi sarcoma cancers.
Mortality rates also increased in conjunction with the incidence of liver (female only), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers.
The study’s findings highlight the critical need to identify and address underlying risk factors in Gen X and Millennial populations to inform prevention strategies.
“Cancer risk is increasing in younger generations, and we need to understand why,” said the study’s lead author. “By identifying the factors driving these trends, we can develop effective prevention and early detection strategies to reduce the burden of cancer in younger people.”
The study’s results are a wake-up call for public health officials, policymakers, and individuals to take action against cancer.
Key Statistics:
17 cancers with increased risk in Gen X and millennials
8 cancers with increased incidence rates across successive birth cohorts
Mortality rates increased for 5 cancers
