Kate Middleton’s shocking cancer diagnosis is shining a light on the rising incidence of the disease among under-50s across the world
IF Bureau
Following months of public speculation regarding her health, Kate Middleton – the Princess of Wales – recently announced her shocking cancer diagnosis in a video message. Married to Prince William, the heir apparent to the British throne, the 42-year-old royal is currently undergoing preventive chemotherapy after having a major abdominal surgery earlier this year. Since the fashionable and fit royal enjoys immense popularity around the world, her diagnosis is shining an important light on the increasing incidence of cancer among people under the age of 50 worldwide. In recent years, this startling trend has become visible with the diagnosis of many well-known celebrities such as Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in 2020 and 43-year-old Hollywood actress Olivia Munn who recently revealed her own breast cancer diagnosis after undergoing a double mastectomy.
Often viewed as a disease that largely affects older individuals (65 years or more), cancer is increasingly afflicting younger adults in the prime of their lives. Researchers are puzzled as to what exactly is driving this increase in cancer cases worldwide. Many young cancer patients today are students, young parents, or just establishing their careers. This mystery cancer “epidemic” striking young adults has left doctors, scientists, and public health experts scrambling for answers. Doctors are calling for higher awareness and expedited screenings to drive early detection and timely treatment to tackle such early-onset cancers. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in cancers that are not typically seen in young people such as bowel cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and uterine cancer, particularly in wealthy countries. World Health Organisation data reveals Australia accounts for the highest number of early-onset cancer diagnoses globally. The prevalence of early-onset cancers is significantly higher in North America, Western Europe and Australasia compared to other parts of the world. Researchers have linked the increase in dietary-related cancers such as bowel cancer among younger people to Western diets that are low in fibre, high in fat and sugar. Ultra-processed foods along with higher alcohol and tobacco consumption are also associated with an increased risk of early-onset cancer.
Despite higher awareness regarding carcinogens in the food industry and technology that are driving the uptick, researchers believe there is a potential for many unknown factors that are yet to be discovered. Doctors see high-profile incidents such as Kate’s diagnosis as a clarion call for young adults to get screened and undertake prevention measures. In India, the Health of the Nation 2024 survey conducted recently by Apollo Hospitals revealed that women aged 40 or younger account for more than 25 per cent of breast cancer cases in the country. Doctors believe this shift may be because of several factors such as lifestyle changes (obesity, fatty and processed diet, and sedentary behaviour), high levels of air pollution, and genetic predisposition. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal last year, there has been a 79 per cent increase in the number of early-onset cancers among the under 50s globally in the past three decades. Based on trends observed during this period, experts estimate that the number of new early-onset cancer cases will surge by a further 31 per cent by 2030 and people in their 40s are most at risk. Diets high in red meat, low in fruit combined with tobacco and alcohol consumption are major risk factors. Environmental toxics like microplastics may also be a contributing factor. Be it food containers, cleaning products, cosmetics, or synthetic clothing, these tiny micro particles make their way into the human body and the gastrointestinal tract. One research team in New Zealand suggested that microplastics may be linked to the uptick in early-onset cancers. The team drew this conclusion from rodent and cellular models which indicated that microplastics can encourage tumour growth.
Even though further research is needed, there is no doubt that microplastics often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other toxic compounds that pose a risk to human health. Influenced by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, cancer is a complex disease. Eating too much processed or junk food, not getting adequate exercise, and high alcohol and tobacco consumption are widespread problems in today’s modern world. One study in 2019 revealed that cancers that are increasingly common among young American adults are linked to obesity, which impacts almost 40 per cent of adults in the US under 40.
Researchers are also trying to understand the role of the gut microbiome in the development of cancer. A person’s diet and medications can impact the health of the gut microbiome. Eating a diverse range of foods can result in a diverse microbiome, which is an indicator of a healthy gut. Similarly, overreliance on antibiotics negatively affects the gut microbiome by wiping out healthy gut bacteria. One study suggests that in addition to lung cancer, air pollution is associated with higher risk for many other types of cancer. In addition, outdoor air pollution and diesel engine exhaust are classified as known carcinogens. Even though scientists are yet to unravel the most urgent medical mysteries of modern time, they are starting to get a clearer picture of how cancer cells evolve. Doctors do not fully understand what is driving early-onset cancers, what they do know is that such cases are becoming far too common.
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