By Annette Pinder
September is National Obesity Awareness month, and a new study shows that obesity may contribute to higher cancer rates in Gen Xers and Millennials. Additional factors contributing to higher cancer rates among this demographic include delaying or forgoing childbearing, and failing to adopt healthy lifestyle choices.
In reviewing data of over 23.6 million U.S. cancer patients born between 1920 and 1990 diagnosed with 34 different types of tumors, scientists found a greater prevalence of 17 cancers, including the small intestine, kidney, pancreas, liver, and bile duct. These cancers were found to be at a rate that was 3 times higher than in other age groups. They also exhibited a higher incidence of cancers of the uterus, ovaries, testicles, colon, and certain breast cancers, and a higher incidence of cancer of the anus and blood and lymph vessel lining in men.
Hyuna Sung, PhD, the lead study author and senior principal scientist at the American Cancer Society, believes that obesity may be a significant factor. According to Dr. Sung, 10 of the 17 cancers identified in younger people were associated with obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise and poor sleep, as well exposure to chemicals when they were children. Those born in 1990 also showed a 12% higher rate of ovarian cancer and a 169% higher rate for uterine cancer in other age groups.
Dr. Daniel Spratt, of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University said women opting to have fewer children, delaying, or forgoing pregnancy, may also account for the increase in breast and ovarian cancer. Fortunately, Dr. Chang of Harvard Medical School, says greater awareness of the harmful effects of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and lack of sleep may help prevent these cancers.
