Doctors point out the reason why more and more young people are getting cancer

Data from K Hospital and Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi have shown a remarkable phenomenon: Cancer is no longer a disease that only appears in middle-aged people but is gradually rejuvenating, especially in young people. People under 30 years old, even 20 years old. This phenomenon not only appears in Vietnam but also in many other countries around the world. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Binh (Deputy Director of K Hospital), the problem of cancer patients is increasing and rejuvenating. not only creates a burden in the present but also in the future, requiring doctors how to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases better.

Doctors and medical experts have given the main causes of this phenomenon of ‘cancer patient rejuvenation’.

Unhealthy eating habits

One of the main factors leading to the increase in cancer in young people is unhealthy eating habits. Modern life makes many people, especially young people, tend to consume a lot of processed foods, fast foods and sugary drinks. These foods contain a lot of trans fats, preservatives, artificial colors… but do not provide enough vitamins and minerals, causing nutrient deficiencies for the body. Maintaining a diet like this for a long time increases the risk of colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer and esophageal cancer.

Impact of the environment and pollution

The living and working environment is becoming increasingly worse, especially in big cities, where air quality is deteriorating and water sources are polluted. Pollution factors such as dust, toxic chemicals, pesticides and radioactive substances can directly impact health, especially in young people, who often have to live and work in environmental conditions. this school.

Research shows that long-term exposure to pollutants, such as dust in the air or chemicals in the work environment, increases the risk of cancer, especially lung cancer, skin cancer and colorectal cancer. In addition, exposure to toxic substances at work, study or daily activities can cause DNA damage, leading to genetic mutations and cancer cell formation. We cannot ignore that light pollution and noise pollution also cause negative effects on health, indirectly increasing the risk of cancer. Living in an environment of poor quality can weaken the body’s resistance, creating favorable conditions for cancer to develop.

Sedentary lifestyle and overweight and obesity

Sedentary lifestyle and overweight and obesity are also important factors leading to the increase in cancer in young people. Working in an office environment and using phones and computers too much has left many young people with almost no opportunity to exercise. This not only reduces cardiovascular health but is also a factor that promotes the growth of cancer cells. When the body is sedentary, the immune system weakens and inflammatory substances in the body can increase the risk of cancer.

Overweight and obesity are also important risk factors for many types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Many studies have demonstrated the protective effect of exercise against some cancers, especially the two most common diseases, colon cancer and breast cancer. Exercise also impacts endometrial, lung, rectal, prostate, ovarian, thyroid and pancreatic cancers with varying levels of evidence.

The protective effect is as follows: The risk of developing colorectal cancer is reduced by 17% with regular exercise and breast cancer is reduced by 20%. For every additional 30 minutes of activity per day, the risk of colorectal cancer decreases by about 12%.

For colorectal cancer, physical exertion reduces the exposure time of the gastrointestinal mucosa to carcinogens from food.

For breast cancer, exercise reduces estrogen levels, circulation and improves immunity.

For lung cancer, increased respiratory function with exercise will reduce the concentration of carcinogens in this organ.

Harmful effects of using tobacco and alcohol

Another important cause is the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, these addictive habits can cause many cancers. Cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause cancer, such as lung cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer and esophageal cancer. Many young people are not aware of the dangers of tobacco and smoke regularly, which increases the risk of cancer at a very young age. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption is a cause of many types of cancer, especially liver cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol can change DNA structure and lead to cell damage, thereby creating conditions for cancer to develop.

Genetic factors and family environment

Genetic factors also play an important role in determining the risk of cancer in young people. Studies show that many types of cancer are hereditary, especially breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. Young people who have a relative with cancer are at increased risk of developing the disease because gene mutations can be passed down through generations. However, genetics is only a part, living habits and living environment still play a large role in determining the development of the disease. The combination of genetic factors and unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of cancer.

The increase in cancer in young people is a worrying issue and a wake-up call for society. Awareness and changing bad habits, combined with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating scientifically, and exercising regularly, will help reduce the risk of disease. At the same time, regular screening and health checks are also very important to detect early signs of cancer, helping to treat promptly and improve the patient’s chance of survival.