Despite unprecedented advancements in healthcare delivery, medical understanding of complex diseases, and mass awareness of health disorders, morbid illnesses have been breaking records. Adding to this heap of alarming data, a recent study published in British Medical Journal (BMJ) Oncology notified that the global incidence of early-onset cancer has increased by 79.1% and the number of early-onset cancer deaths increased by 27.7% between 1990 and 2019. That means the number of people under 50 who got cancer went up to 3.26 million in 2019 from 1.82 million in 1990.
Early Onset Cancer On The Rise
The BMJ study analysed data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Report, covering 29 types of cancer in 204 countries and regions, including India. It concluded that in 2019, out of all the cancer types, early-onset breast, tracheal, bronchus, lung, stomach and colorectal cancers showed the highest mortality and years of life lost in dealing with the cancer. However, the study stated, ‘The incidence rates of early-onset nasopharyngeal and prostate cancer showed the fastest increasing trend, whereas early-onset liver cancer showed the sharpest decrease.’
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During the period from 1990 to 2019, the number of deaths due to cancer also increased by 28%. The researchers revealed the unsettling fact, that based on their findings, the global number of incidence and deaths of early-onset cancer would increase by 31% and 21% by 2030, respectively.
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Why Is Early-Onset Cancer On The Rise?
The researchers suggested that dietary risk factors like diets high in red meat, low in fruits, high in sodium, and low in milk, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are the main reasons behind these rapidly increasing cancer cases. They believe that encouraging a healthy lifestyle could reduce early-onset cancer disease burden around the globe.
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Increased awareness and advancement of diagnostic tools is also very much a key factor for this rise in cancer cases worldwide. Research suggests that environmental factors such as pollution, dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle are also equal contributors to the increase in cases. These astonishing findings highlight the need for awareness among the masses about various types of cancers and their risk factors that can trigger early onset, so effective preventive and diagnostic measures can be employed.