Princess Kate is not an isolated case: the number of young cancer patients seems to be increasing worldwide. Particularly affected, including in Germany: women. How can that be?
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Princess Kate has cancer at just 42 years old. The news shocked people around the world. How can such a young, seemingly healthy person suddenly develop cancer? Statistically speaking, cancer is a disease of old age – most people affected are over 70 years old when they are diagnosed. But scientists have been observing a trend for several years: younger people around the world seem to be getting cancer more and more often.
Just a few months ago, researchers raised the alarm with a study in the journal BMJ Oncology die Welt: According to this, the global incidence of cancer cases under 50 has increased by almost 80 percent in the past 30 years. The number of cancer-related deaths in this age group increased by almost 28 percent. That made headlines.