Cases of gallbladder cancer are on the rise among young adults and experts fear the modern diet could be to blame
Gastrointestinal cancer is alarmingly on the rise among young people, especially those aged between 24 and 49, according to new data from Cancer Research UK. This lesser-known cancer has seen a worrying increase since the 1990s, with young adults experiencing the most significant surge compared to other age groups.
Bowel, breast, lung, and now gallbladder cancer have seen shocking increases among young adults in recent years. Oncologists are concerned about the reasons behind these increases, with many suspecting it could be linked to modern dietary habits.
Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, with around 1,000 cases diagnosed each year in the UK. However, it carries a concerning prognosis as only about one sixth of patients are expected to live 10 years post-diagnosis.
As the number of cases rises, the age of patients appears to be decreasing, with young adults now twice as likely to contract the disease than those in the 1990s, according to Cancer Research UK. This trend could support the theory that diet is to blame, as the gallbladder stores bile used to break down fats.
Speaking to MailOnline, world-renowned oncologist Professor Karol Sikora suggested that a combination of pollution, alcohol consumption, junk food, and increasingly stressful lives could be altering the microbiome of young people. The expert acknowledged the difficulties in pinning down the cause: “It’s just impossible to measure…it’s a complex series of things that can affect it.”
However, he underlined the logic behind his theory, noting that these factors impact every stage of digestion, which includes typical problem areas for the younger population like the gallbladder and colon. Despite the rising cases and unclear reasons behind this trend being a cause for concern, the professor expressed even greater frustration that young people are not receiving adequate advice to reduce their risk of gastrointestinal cancer.
In an effort to combat this, the expert recommended a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, along with regular exercise as measures to decrease the likelihood of developing the disease. Meanwhile, Katrina Brown from Cancer Research UK pointed out that although there has been an 85% surge in cancer cases among youths, the actual number remains low.
She clarified: “Cancer is still uncommon in this age group, and 90 per cent of UK cancer cases are in people aged 50 and over.”
