Recent trends show a worrying increase in diseases such as diabetes and cancer among young adults, previously more common in middle-aged and older populations. Studies have reported a rapid rise in cancer cases among young people in 20 major countries worldwide. Although the exact cause is yet to be determined, experts unanimously suggest that the consumption of fatty foods by the MZ generation (Millennials and Generation Z) leading to decreased gut immunity could be influencing this trend.
Rapid Increase in Young Cancer Patients
An analysis of cancer patient data from G20 countries revealed that the MZ generation has experienced the most significant increase in cancer incidence. Notably, there was a 21.8% increase in 2019 compared to the 1990s. Young cancer patients are primarily vulnerable to diseases related to the digestive system, such as the esophagus, stomach, colon, and pancreas.
Dietary Changes Are the Main Cause
The exact reason for the increase in cancer cases among the younger generation is yet to be determined, but changes in diet are suspected to be a major factor. A diet high in sugar and saturated fats negatively affects the ecological environment of gut microbes, which is believed to be the cause.
Cancers in Young People Grow Faster and Are More Aggressive
Cancers that develop in young people often involve faster-growing and more aggressive cancer cells. A prime example is diffuse gastric cancer, which spreads from beneath the stomach lining. This type of cancer is typically found in individuals under 40 and involves numerous small cancer cells that can easily invade other organs. It also tends to be highly aggressive, spreading quickly and often having a poor prognosis.
Most Health Check-Ups Only Include Basic Tests
The government offers free national health check-ups for the 2030 generation, but these typically only include basic tests like blood and urine tests. To detect serious diseases, additional tests like endoscopy are required, which usually cost upwards of 200,000 KRW (approximately $170). This can be difficult for for young people with little to no income to pay for.
If There Is a Family History, More Attention Is Needed
If a family member has had cancer, it’s even more important to be aware of your body’s conditions. Especially in the case of female cancers and colorectal cancer, the likelihood of developing these diseases at a young age is higher. Approximately 5% of all colorectal cancers are hereditary, caused by mutated or defective genes inherited from parents. Most of these individuals are at risk of developing colorectal cancer as adults, so it’s recommended to start undergoing colonoscopy tests at an early age. Even if you’re confident that you’re healthy, it’s essential to undergo regular check-ups if you have a family history of cancer.
Regular Health Check-Ups Are Important
Early-stage cancer often shows no noticeable symptoms regardless of the area affected, and by the time patients become aware of the symptoms, the disease has often progressed significantly, making treatment difficult. Therefore, it’s crucial to take national cancer screenings seriously. Younger generations tend to think light of health check-ups, so a sense of urgency is needed. Experts say that if you don’t postpone national cancer screenings and health check-ups and receive them thoroughly, you can detect most major cancers at an early stage.
Primary Prevention Should Be Prioritized Above All
Fundamentally, a weakened immune system increases the risk of developing cancer. While maintaining healthy lifestyle habits doesn’t guarantee cancer prevention, many factors are hard to control on your own, such as genetics, environment, antibiotics, and nutritional supplements, so primary care should be your first concern. This includes harmful substances from sea pollution in fish and seafood, pesticides in crops, and preservatives in processed foods. By improving lifestyle habits that contribute to cancer, you can reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.
Don’t Let Your Guard Down Just Because Symptoms Have Improved
What if you visit a hospital due to a sickness, take medication, and then feel better, but ignore the doctor’s advice to return for a follow-up visit? If this happens frequently and you visit multiple hospitals, communication between them may not occur. It’s better to visit one place multiple times, and it’s crucial not to stop medication or avoid visiting the hospital just because symptoms have temporarily improved.
Stress Management Is Necessary
Stress is the most significant factor contributing to cancer. It can be inferred that these two elements have played a decisive role in lowering the age of cancer diagnoses. As society becomes more complex, the physical and psychological toll of surviving can make it unsurprising for diseases to infiltrate at any time. Add to this the issues with the food we consume, and it can become overwhelming for the body to cope with.
Don’t Miss the Treatment Timing
One of the biggest problems is missing the timing for treatment. Many people postpone treatment due to job hunting, marriage, or simply because they are young. However, in cases of brain cancer, spinal cancer, or sarcoma, these can have after-effects on muscles, nerves, or the skeletal system, making it difficult to return to society. Therefore, early treatment should always be prioritized. It’s most important to seek medical help promptly if symptoms arise.
By. Jeon Shin Young
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