Wellness is a daily, active pursuit for Gen X-ers and millennials. They smoke less, exercise more, and eat healthier than previous generations. Yet, they are not spared from health issues.
A new study has found that the rates of cancer are surging among people under 50. A bunch of articles stating that Gen X and millennials are at high risk for certain cancers has taken the internet by storm since then. Cancers of the breast, pancreas, and gastric area are increasingly prevalent among the younger generations.
What could lead to the surge in cancer rates in Gen X-ers and millennials? Genetics aside, there are several surprising things that can cause cancer in the younger generations.
In this article, we’ll shed light on the hidden culprits behind the increasing cancer rates in younger demographics
#1 Obesity
A key factor contributing to cancer risk and mortality among Gen X and millennials is obesity.
Researchers of a study published by NIH revealed that the millennials in the U.S. were more obese than their Gen X counterparts. Yet cancer rates in Gen X are outpacing their parents. An article featured in the New York Post disclosed that.
Obesity is fueling cancer in both generations. Gen X and millennials could develop 17 different types of cancers, confirms a study. They are more likely to develop cancer in the ovary, liver, breast, pancreatic, uterine, testicular, kidney, gallbladder, and more. Five of these cancers—colorectal, testicular, gallbladder, uterine, and liver— are deadly.
Researchers discovered that the incidence rates of certain cancers, specifically those affecting the pancreas, kidneys, and small intestine, were markedly higher in millennials compared to baby boomers.
But Gen X-ers were more at risk of head and neck cancers. They were 26% at a greater risk of developing cancer in the head and neck that are not linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV) compared to baby boomers.
#2 Environmental Toxins
Obesity is to blame for many of the cancers millennials and Gen X develop. But being overweight is not the only culprit. Toxins found in the environment also alter certain genes that can lead to cancer development.
The vice-chair of the Midwest Regional American Cancer Society Board, Dr. Doug Flora, considers environmental toxins to be a risk factor for cancer in millennials and Gen X.
The NTP, or the National Toxicology Program, has identified more than a dozen chemicals as human carcinogens. Those include aflatoxins, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and vinyl chloride.
Studies are drawing possible links between so-called forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and several types of cancer. They could fuel the early onset of colorectal cancer in some people.
An untold amount of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, was discovered in the Cape Fear River. Forever chemicals were also present in drinking wells from a chemical manufacturing plant outside Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Chemours and DuPont are responsible for the contamination. The two chemical companies that manufacture aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, owned the Fayetteville Works plant. The chemicals made their way into the water body by leaking from the plant.
A vast majority of people are affected by water contamination. Many decided to sue the two companies by filing the firefighter foam lawsuit.
DuPont and Chemours are facing over a thousand suits. North Carolina is just the tip of the iceberg. The PFAS from AFFF are widespread across U.S. water bodies. Several other states accuse the two chemical companies of misconduct and negligence. According to TorHoerman Law, these chemicals have polluted tap water in Puerto Rico and 33 states and groundwater in 38 states.
#3 Sleep Duration
Sleeping too much or too little can raise the risk of cancer among people under 50 years of age. That is surprising, but studies have found a possible link between the two.
The findings of a meta-analysis linked sleep duration—long or short—with an increased risk of lung cancer. Not getting enough sleep can disrupt your circadian rhythm—internal body clock. Your odds of developing ovaries, colon, breast, and prostate cancers increase.
Working overnight shifts for several years can reduce melatonin levels, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. This can encourage cancer to grow.
Notably, rates of cancer in Gen X-ers and millennials are surging. Beyond traditional risk factors like genetics, alcohol consumption, or air pollution, these unconventional factors contribute to cancer risk.
Taking proactive steps can mitigate your risk of cancer. Healthy eating and exercising regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight. Purchasing products that are free from toxins can minimize your exposure to toxins. Sleeping in a cool, dark, and quiet place can help you improve your sleep. All these collective efforts will make a significant difference.
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