In shocking new research, it has been found that Gen X and millennial Americans are at a significantly higher risk of developing at least 17 cancers compared to older generations. According to a study by the American Cancer Society, generational cancer rates were based on 23.6 million cancer cases and 7.3 million cancer deaths from 2000 through 2019.

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, says the incidence rates for kidney cancer, intestine cancer, and pancreatic cancer were at least two to three times higher for people born in the early ’90s than those in the 50s. Also, women who were born in the late ’50s fared better than their millennial counterparts regarding liver cancer and oral and throat cancers caused by factors other than the human papillomavirus.

According to researchers, there is no clear explanation for why the rates are boosting but they suspect obesity to be the main reason behind the surge.

“These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said lead study author Dr. Hyuna Sung, ACS senior principal scientist of surveillance and health equity science.

“The data highlights the critical need to identify and address underlying risk factors in Gen X and millennial populations to inform prevention strategies,” said Dr. Ahmedin Jema, senior study author and ACS senior vice president, of surveillance and health equity science.

According to the World Health Organisation, there will be over 35 million new cancer cases in 2050, a 77 per cent increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022.

Obesity leads to cancer through imbalanced hormones and inflammation – both of which cause obesity. Once fat cells begin to produce hormones like estrogen, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and adipokines, they can cause cells to divide more often, which can increase the risk of cancer.

Fat cells can lead to an inflammatory response, which divides more quickly, which can increase the risk of cancer over time.

According to experts, cancer usually progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour. There are many risk factors, which include:

Smoking

Alcohol consumption

Lifestyle issues

Dietary influences

Radiation exposure

Hormone therapy

Genetic issues

Even though cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, doctors say fewer people are dying of the life-threatening disease now than 20 years ago. Early detection and innovative treatments are curing the disease and helping those suffering to live longer and healthier.

According to experts, almost anyone can develop cancer, but data shows cancer cases vary based on race and sex. It:

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