Cancer may seem like a disease of the elderly, but studies have shown that certain types have become increasingly common among Americans younger than 50.
Recent research found that Gen X and millennial Americans are at higher risk of developing 17 cancers compared to older generations. For example, rates of colon cancer diagnoses have increased by 15% among adults aged 18 to 44 over the past 20 years.
“Many of my patients were told they were too young to worry about colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Elena Stoffel, a professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and director of the Rogel Cancer Genetics Clinic. “But we all know that no one is too young for cancer.”
University of Michigan doctors are sharing nine ways to reduce your risk of early cancer – talk to your doctor about your family history of cancer and any unusual symptoms, stop smoking, limit alcohol use, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, do physical exercises. regularly, use sunscreen, protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) and limit exposure to pollutants.
Talk to your doctor
“It’s incredibly important to talk to your doctor about your family history of cancer,” Stoffel said.
“If you say, ‘Actually, there are several people in my family who have all been diagnosed with colorectal cancer,’ that should set off red flags, bells and whistles,” she added.
Stoffel said those with a hereditary predisposition to colon cancer may need to start getting colonoscopies as early as their 20s. People at average risk should start screening at age 45.
In addition to sharing their family history, patients should also talk to their doctor about any unusual symptoms.
“This discussion should integrate what we know about you, your family history, your health habits and behavior, to develop a plan for how we can best care for you, with you invested in the process,” Stoffel explained.
Stop smoking
There are more than 1.25 billion tobacco users worldwide, according to World Health Organization data by 2022, even more people kissing their cigarettes goodbye.
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for 20% of cancer cases in the US and nearly 30% of cancer deaths. And lung cancer cases and deaths are expected to increase significantly in the next 25 years.
One study estimated that 1.2 million lung cancer deaths worldwide could be prevented over 70 years by stopping the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to Gen Zers born between 2006 and 2010.
Limit the use of alcohol
Research is increasingly revealing that drinking even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to health.
Alcohol metabolism produces a toxin known to damage DNA. Alcohol can also make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, cause inflammation and damage the liver over time.
Eat a healthy diet
Studies have shown that a person’s eating habits can affect their chances of developing certain types of cancer.
Researchers have warned that the high-fat, low-fiber Western diet may cause changes in the gut that increase the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer.
University of Michigan experts recommend prioritizing whole grains, fruits and vegetables and limiting red meat, processed meat, sugar and unrefined grains.
Get enough sleep
Experts generally suggest that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Poor sleep disrupts the body’s 24-hour biological clock, affecting hormone balance and potentially increasing the risk of developing breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Exercise regularly
Exercise can prevent obesity, which promotes certain types of cancer. Exercise can also keep hormones in check, inflammation, the digestive system in motion, and the immune system healthy.
Use sunscreen
A third of American adults admitted in a recent survey that they never use sunscreen, which is especially concerning because skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays.
Some dermatologists advise applying two fingers’ worth of sunscreen to your face.
Protect against HPV
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, with at least 13 million new infections reported each year.
The virus is a major risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 or at age 9.
Limit exposure to pollutants
University of Michigan researchers recommend using air filters to reduce indoor air pollution and testing well water for contaminants.
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