Obesity and alcohol cause an increase in colon cancer in young Europeans

Overweight and obesity are contributing to rising colon cancer death rates among people aged 25 to 49 in the European Union (EU), although colon cancer death rates are generally declining across Europe. These findings are published in a study published in the journal ‘Annals of Oncology’ that also predicts cancer mortality rates in the EU and the United Kingdom by 2024. It is the first time that an increase in cancer mortality rates has been predicted of colon among young people in the EU. The article has analyzed cancer mortality rates in the 27 EU states as a whole and separately in the United Kingdom. They examined the five most populous countries in the EU (France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain) and individually for cancer of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus (including the cervix), ovary, prostate, bladder and leukaemias. . in men and women. Related News standard No This immunotherapy is more precise, long-lasting and less toxic than current ABCs This treatment could be used to attack a wide range of cancer mutations, says a study Data on deaths was collected from the World Organization databases of Health and Eurostat from 1970 to 2018 for most EU countries and the United Kingdom. Based on the data, researchers predict a 6.5% decline in age-specific mortality rates for all cancers, from 132 per 100,000 of the population in 2018 to 123 per 100,000 in 2024 for men, and a 4% decrease from 82.5 to 79 per 100,000 among women. A total of approximately 1,270,800 people will die from cancer in the EU. However, due to the increase in older people in the population, the actual number of cancer deaths will increase from 675,265 in 2018 to more than 705,100 in men in the EU in 2024, and from 535,291 to more than 565,700 in women. Over a 36-year period between 1989 and 2024, researchers calculated the number of cancer deaths averted, assuming rates remained constant at 1988 rates. They estimate that a total of 6,183,000 deaths have been averted from all cancers. in the EU (4,244,000 in men and 1,939,000 in women). Led by Carlo La Vecchia, from the University of Milan (Italy), this work predicts that the greatest increase in mortality rates from colon cancer among the youngest will occur in the United Kingdom, where they will increase by 26% in men and almost 39% in women in 2024 compared to 2018. In Spain, an increase in this tumor in men will also be observed by 5.5%. Colon cancer is now the second biggest killer after lung cancer in men. In both the EU and the UK, colon cancer is now the second biggest killer after lung cancer in men, and third after breast and lung cancer in women, although mortality rates are falling except among UK women. Among non-smokers, it is the leading cause of cancer death in both sexes combined in the EU and UK. “Key factors contributing to increased colon cancer rates among young people include overweight, obesity and related diseases, such as high blood sugar levels and diabetes,” warns La Vecchia. Alcohol In addition to those already listed, the document also points to alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. The authors emphasize that alcohol consumption has been linked to early-onset colon cancer that is more aggressive, with lower survival rates, compared to colon cancer diagnosed in older people. Therefore, the document emphasizes that governments should consider strengthening policies to encourage increased physical activity, reducing the number of overweight or obese people and reducing alcohol consumption. Likewise, regarding prevention, the researchers point out that “governments are considering expanding screening for colon cancer at younger ages, starting at age 45, because screening programs vary across Europe.” . Tobacco remains responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths in men and 15% in women in the EU. In Spain, the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program was incorporated into the common portfolio of services of the National Health System in 2014 and its target population is men and women between the ages of 50 and 69. Screening is done through fecal occult blood testing every 2 years. In addition to the screening program, in the case of people who meet criteria for high personal risk or risk of familial or hereditary cancer, individual risk assessment and follow-up are carried out through specific action protocols. Lung Cancer Although death rates from lung cancer are declining in men, it remains the cancer with the highest rates for both men and women. The report predicts a mortality in 2024 of 28 men and 13.6 women per 100,000 in the EU. This represents a 15% reduction among men since 2018, but no reduction among women. Breast cancer Death rates continue to improve in Europe and the United Kingdom. In 2024, researchers predict a 6% decline, from 14 per 100,000 women in the EU in 2018 to 13 per 100,000 in 2024, and an 11% decline, from 15 to 13 per 100,000 in the UK. Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer, which is very difficult to detect or treat successfully, is the only major cancer where improvements in mortality rates for both sexes in the EU are not predicted. It accounts for more than 3% of new cancer diagnoses in Europe, but around 7% of cancer deaths, and is the fourth leading cause of death from any cancer. Their mortality rates will increase by 1.6% and 4% among men and women, respectively, in the EU. Although smoking is the main risk factor for pancreatic cancer, it only partially explains the increase in death rates over time. Overweight, obesity, diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption may also play a role, the researchers write. Tobacco For La Vecchia «tobacco is still responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths among men and 15% among women in the EU. “It is not only the leading risk factor for death from lung cancer, but also from several other cancers, including pancreatic cancer.”