Over a million under-50 individuals globally lose their lives to cancer every year. Approximately 5% of all cancer diagnoses yearly happen in people between the ages of 15 and 39 (adolescents and young adults). Over the past three decades, the percentage of people under 50 who have been diagnosed with cancer has increased by about 80%.
The ICMR data showed that although breast and thyroid cancers are rising among women, cancers of the mouth, tongue and leukaemia are increasing among men. Early-onset cancer had a far higher impact on women than on males in terms of poor health and deaths.
What are the reasons behind cancer incidence among young people?
Lifestyle Choices
Rates of obesity are rising due to several factors, including the Western diet, diets heavy in red meat, salt, and sugar, diets poor in fresh fruits and dairy, bad eating habits, increased use of processed foods, inactivity and a lack of physical activity. Obesity rates are rising, and this has been linked to early-onset cancer.
Tobacco and Alcohol Use
Both alcohol drinking and tobacco use—either by chewing or smoking—remain popular among India’s youth. One of the main causes of many cancers, including cancers of the throat, mouth, and lungs, is tobacco smoking.
Delayed Childbearing
Delaying delivery can have an impact on hormonal balance and raise the risk of certain cancers, including ovarian and breast cancer, for young women.
