A Forgotten Kind of Cancer Is Growing Among Young People

Apendix cancer, a disease that was once so rare that most people didn't even think of as opportunities, is on the rise of sudden growth, growing that is affecting more and more young people in their 30s, 40s, and even younger ones, has written Science Alert.

A Study Published in the prestigious magazine Annals of Internal Medicine has found that cases of this rare type of cancer have increased significantly in people born after the years of BAR70. In fact, the percentage has tripled or fourfold compared to generations born in the 1940s. Although the cases are still few in total, only a few people per million are alarming. Today, about one in three cases occurs in adults under the age of 50 - much more than in other types of digestive cancer.

What is appendix, and why is it problematic?

The appendix is a small finger - shaped extension attached to the colon. It's usually related to appendix, inflammation that requires urgent surgical intervention. Less is known, though, that cancer can develop, usually without any warning signs.

This type of cancer is difficult to detect because symptoms are vague, mild stomach pain, blow or change in waste, often confused with common digestive problems”, the report says.

Many cases are discovered only by chance during the operation of appendix.

Why is it growing?

Experts do not know for certain why the number of cases is increasing, but doubts are clouded by major changes in lifestyle and the environment.

“since the years É70s, obesity has increased significantly, the known risk factor for many types of cancer, including digestive system cancer”, the study says.

Likewise, food is often directed toward processed foods, sugar drinks, and processed meats, other risk factors. Even physical activity has decreased sharply, and past times have increased on screens.

Another theory is that people are exposed to new environmental factors that previous generations have not experienced: plastics, chemicals in food and drinking water, industrialization of food production, and other factors.

Also, a new factor may be the change in microbiotics, intestine bacteria, because of the excessive use of antibiotics from childhood to medicine and agriculture.

The Challenge of Discovery

Unlike colon cancer that can be discovered early in the coloscope, appendix cancer usually does not signal until late. And because it's rare, there's no routine test for it.

Unfortunately, we still don't have standardized tools to find out early. This means that patients and doctors must be more vigilant”, the study noted. If a person experiences persistent or unusual stomach symptoms, especially under the age of 50, he should not ignore them.

Prevention - The Best Protection

While there is no guarantee, experts recommend pursuing a healthy life - style - maintaining healthy body weight, eating food rich in fruits and vegetables, containing fiber, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption.

“These measures do not eliminate danger, but they are ways that have proved to preserve health in general”, says the study article.

Increasing cases of appendix cancer in young people are part of a broader trend involving colon and stomach cancer. These phenomena raise the alarm for systematic change in the health of digestive organs.

“The history of this type of cancer is the reminder that even the most rare diseases can become more common when they change their lifestyle and our” environment, the study report concludes./Periscopi/