Poor nutrition, social isolation and risky habits may help explain why cancer is becoming more common among younger people. An overlooked factor linked to rising disease rates is the change in gut bacteria associated with antibiotic use. Reports cited by The Daily Mail bring in insights from leading oncologists in Britain, Australia and the United States, along with researchers from the US National Institutes of Health.
Across many studies, cancer rates in people born after 1960 appear higher than those in older cohorts. In England, the incidence among adults aged 25 to 49 rose by about 22 percent from the early 1990s to 2018. Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer and cancers of reproductive organs are notably appearing at younger ages.
American oncologist Veda Giri notes that lifestyle factors may contribute to the trend. A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that smoking, alcohol consumption and a diet rich in red meat and salt but low in fiber increase the risk of developing cancer at a young age.
Daniel Buchanan from the University of Melbourne points to changes in the gut microbiome as a possible, though unclear, contributor to rising cancer rates under 45. Shifts that favor certain harmful gut bacteria can provoke inflammation and weaken the immune system’s ability to fight abnormal cells. In turn, these gut changes may raise the chance of bowel cancer, potentially linked to greater antibiotic use.
Earlier investigators explored how to improve cancer treatment effectiveness. The evolving body of work emphasizes a holistic view that connects daily habits, gut health and immune response to outcomes in younger patients.