Jade Bisatt experienced a range of symptoms including a sore throat, night sweats, and weight gain. Despite her efforts to exercise regularly, the weight wouldn’t budge. Concerned, Jade visited her GP in December 2021 and was referred for an ultrasound scan of her throat. This was not her first encounter with throat issues, as she was diagnosed with a goitre at the age of 13. A goitre refers to the swelling of the thyroid gland situated at the front of the neck. This gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, digestion, heart health, and brain development through the hormone thyroxine. Jade’s diagnosis at such a young age was already a concern, compounded by her family history of goitres. The news she received during her last check-up was devastating: she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at just 26 years old. Jade couldn’t believe it, as she had very few symptoms at the time.
Unfortunately, Jade is not an isolated case. Recent statistics reveal a 22% increase in cancer diagnoses among individuals aged 25 to 49 in the UK over the past 30 years, making it an epidemic. Millennials, specifically those in their 20s and 30s, appear to be at higher risk. Certain types of cancer, including colon, womb, breast, kidney, and thyroid cancer, have seen a significant rise in individuals aged 15 to 39. The reasons behind this trend are not yet fully understood, but experts suggest that factors such as changes in diet (increased consumption of processed food and refined sugar), overuse of antibiotics, decreased physical activity, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and pollution are contributing factors. Exposure to these factors during late childhood or early adolescence can lead to biological changes that increase the risk of developing cancer at a younger age.
Colorectal cancer is another type that is affecting younger individuals more frequently. Dr. James Kinross, a consultant colorectal surgeon, and microbiome scientist at Imperial College London, has observed a rise in young patients with colorectal cancer. Sadly, some of these patients only seek medical attention when their cancer has already spread to other organs. Dr. Kinross believes that the gut microbiome plays a vital role in understanding this rise in cancer diagnoses among young people. When the gut microbiome is not properly established during youth, it fails to educate the gut’s immune system and protect it from cancer-causing environmental factors. This scenario resembles an internal climate crisis where a loss of internal biodiversity leads to cancer and other chronic health issues.
The notable increase in younger individuals being diagnosed with cancer prompted a significant study by Cancer Grand Challenges, a collaboration between Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute of the U.S. Thyroid cancer, in particular, has seen the fastest increase among all cancers in the UK, affecting predominantly younger and middle-aged women. The number of thyroid cancer cases increased by around 65% between 2006/2008 and 2016/2018. However, the lack of specific symptoms makes it challenging to detect thyroid cancer early, giving it the reputation of being a “silent” cancer. Young women, including celebrities like Demi Jones and Samie Elishi from Love Island, have shared their experiences and emphasized the importance of self-checks and awareness.
Several risk factors contribute to thyroid cancer, such as having a goitre, a family history of the disease, an iodine deficiency, and childhood exposure to radiotherapy. Obesity has also been linked to increased estrogen levels, which fuels the growth of thyroid cancer, explaining why women, particularly pre-menopausal women, are more susceptible to the disease. Advanced scanning technology has also contributed to the rise in detected thyroid cancers, as incidental findings during neck scans for unrelated issues have become more common.
In conclusion, the surge in cancer diagnoses among young people, especially millennials, is a concerning epidemic. Various factors, including diet, antibiotic use, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and pollution, contribute to this rise. Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development and finding ways to protect and restore it may hold the key to preventing these early-onset cancers. Proper education, awareness, and regular self-checks are crucial in detecting cancers like thyroid cancer, which may lack distinct symptoms.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
