by Health Editorial Staff
New study predicts: colorectal cancer on the rise among 25-49 year olds in the UK. Overweight and obesity, excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking worry experts
An increase in colorectal cancer mortality among young adults aged 25-49: emerges from results of a study published in the journal Annals of Oncology
, which predicts cancer mortality rates in the European Union and the United Kingdom for 2024. The growth confirms a trend already detected in the United Kingdom, which could depend on risk factors such as overweight and obesity. Nonetheless, the expected mortality from this type of cancer is decreasing overall across Europe. The group of researchers, led by Carlo La Vecchia, professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at the University of Milan, estimates that the greatest increase in colorectal cancer mortality rates among young people will be recorded in the United Kingdom, where in 2024 there will be an increase of 26% compared to 2018 in men and almost 39% in women. Increases are also estimated in some EU countries, including Italy.
Incorrect lifestyles
The very worrying fact that the proportion of those who fall ill before the age of 50 is also constantly increasing, even in our country: if the causes are partly to be clarified, the role of incorrect lifestyles (smoking , sedentary lifestyle, overweight) are increasingly widespread. “Key factors contributing to rising colorectal cancer death rates among young people include overweight, obesity and related health conditions, such as high blood glucose levels or diabetes,” La Vecchia said. Increased alcohol consumption in central and northern Europe and the United Kingdom and reduced physical activity are further risk factors. Alcohol consumption has been associated with early-onset colorectal cancer and, in fact, in countries where a reduction in alcohol consumption has been reported (e.g. France and Italy), there has not been a marked increase in mortality rates for this tumor. Compared to older adults, colorectal cancer diagnosed in young adults tends to be more aggressive and have lower survival rates.
Screening from age 45
Consideration should be given to adopting policies that promote increasing physical activity, reducing the number of overweight or obese individuals, and limiting alcohol consumption. Furthermore, in terms of prevention, the extension of screening for colorectal cancer should also be evaluated by starting the campaign from the age of 45. Screening programs vary in Europe, but the increasing incidence among young adults in the United States has prompted the US Preventive Service Task Force to recommend reducing the age for starting screening to 45, La Vecchia added. In recent years, some Italian regions have also envisaged the expansion of mammographic and colorectal screening to other age groups. The study, coordinated by the University of Milan together with the University of Bologna and supported by the AIRC Foundation, analysed, for the fourteenth consecutive year, cancer mortality rates in the EU and the United Kingdom, examining the same rates also in the five most populous countries of the European Union, namely France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. Mortality data were collected from the World Health Organization and Eurostat databases. Mortality was assessed for various cancers, stomach, colorectal, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus (including cervix), ovary, prostate, bladder and leukemia, for both men and women.
All tumors
It is estimated that in the European Union, age-standardized cancer mortality rates will decrease by 6.5% in men, from 132 per 100,000 in 2018 to 123 per 100,000 in 2024, and by 4% in women, from 82. 5 to 79 per 100,000. In the United Kingdom, by 2024, cancer mortality is expected to decrease by almost 14% in men, from a rate of 120 to 104 per 100,000, and by 10% in women, from 92.5 to 83 per 100,000. 100,000. However, due to the aging population, the number of cancer deaths in the EU is expected to increase from 675,265 in 2018 to over 705,100 in 2024 in men, and from 535,291 to over 565,700 in women, reaching 1,270,800. In the United Kingdom, an increase from 91,059 to 92,000 in men and from 79,631 to 80,900 in women is estimated, for a total of 172,900 deaths expected for 2024. The researchers also calculated the number of cancer deaths avoided in the period between 1989 and 2024, assuming that rates remained constant compared to 1988 levels. They estimated that overall 6,183,000 deaths were prevented in the EU (4,244,000 in men and 1,939,000 in women) and 1,325,000 in United Kingdom (899,000 in men and 426,000 in women).
Lung cancer
Although there is a favorable trend in men, lung cancer is characterized by the highest rates for both sexes, both in the European Union and in the United Kingdom. For 2024, researchers estimate mortality rates of 28 men and 13.6 women per 100,000 inhabitants in the EU, with a reduction compared to 2018 of 15% in men and without any reduction in women. In the UK, lung cancer mortality rates are estimated to be 19 men and 16 women per 100,000, a reduction of 22% in men and 17% in women compared to 2018.
Colorectal cancer
In both the EU and the UK, colorectal cancer is currently the second leading cause of death for men after lung cancer and for women the third leading cause of death after breast and lung cancer. Mortality trends for this type of cancer are favourable, except in women in the UK. Among non-smokers, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both the EU and the UK. In the EU, for 2024, a decrease compared to 2018 in colorectal cancer mortality is estimated by 5% in men, with an expected rate of 15 per 100,000, and by 9% in women, with a rate of 8 per 100,000. 100,000. In the UK, a 3% decline is expected in men, with a rate of 14 per 100,000, while rates will remain stable in women, with a rate of 10 per 100,000. These overall favorable trends can be explained by improved diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. Mortality rates tend to decline in countries with better access to screening and early diagnosis programs. However, the increase in mortality among young people is worrying, commented Carlo La Vecchia.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer mortality trends continue to be favorable in the EU and the UK. In 2024, a decrease of 6% is expected in the EU, from 14 per 100,000 women in 2018 to 13 in 2024, and by 11% in the UK, from 15 to 13 per 100,000 women. Eva Negri, professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Occupational Medicine at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the University of Bologna and co-leader of the research, added: Progress in the diagnosis of breast cancer plays a fundamental role in the substantial drop in rates of mortality, but advances in treatments and management of the disease are the main reasons for the increase in the number of people who survive.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer, very difficult both to detect and to treat successfully, is the only cancer for which a favorable trend in mortality is not expected in the European Union (but not in the United Kingdom) for both sexes. It represents over 3% of new cancer diagnoses in Europe, but approximately 7% of cancer deaths and the fourth leading cause of cancer death. Mortality rates in the EU are expected to increase by 1.6% in men and 4% in women. Trends are better in the United Kingdom, where a decline of 7% in men and 2% in women is estimated. Smoking is the main risk factor for pancreatic cancer, but it only partly explains the increased mortality rates. Overweight, obesity, diabetes, as well as excessive alcohol consumption, can also play an important role, added Eva Negri.
Smoke
These predictions highlight the importance of controlling and ultimately eliminating tobacco use. Tobacco remains responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths among men and 15% among women in the European Union. Not only the main risk factor for deaths from lung cancer, but also for other types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Our forecasts also highlight the importance of bridging gaps between European countries regarding cancer diagnosis and treatment programs – the researchers concluded -. Mortality rates continue to be higher in Poland and other central and eastern European countries, partly due to inadequate screening programs to detect cancers such as breast, cervical and colon cancers. rectum, as well as the lack of access to the most modern therapies.
Corriere della Sera also on Whatsapp. sufficient click here to subscribe to the channel and always be updated.
February 7, 2024 (modified February 7, 2024 | 08:48)
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED