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Increases in cancer incidence and mortality -

In the analysis, the scientists used information from 23,654,000 people diagnosed with 34 types of cancer, and 7,348,137 deaths from 25 cancers from 2000 to 2019.

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What they found -

They found an increased incidence in 17 of the 34 cancers in progressively younger generations. Click on for the 17 cancers. 

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Gastric cardia -

Gastric cardia is a type of stomach cancer that begins in the mucous-producing cells in the inner lining of the cardia (the part of the stomach that is closest to the esophagus). Food and liquids pass through the cardia to enter the stomach from the esophagus.

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Small intestine -

A rare type of cancer, malignant cells form in the tissues of the small intestine. The small intestine is part of the body's digestive system, which also includes the esophagus, stomach, and large intestine.

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Estrogen receptor-positive breast -

The cells of this type of breast cancer have receptors that allow them to use the hormone estrogen to grow. Treatment with anti-estrogen hormone therapy can block the growth of the cancer cells.

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Ovary -

Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. They eventually form a growth known as tumor.

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Liver and intrahepatic bile duct in women -

This rare type of cancer starts in the bile ducts, which are tubes that connect the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.

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Non-HPV-associated oral and pharynx cancers in women -

Known as oropharyngeal cancer, this cancer form in your oropharynx, the middle section of your throat (pharynx), which makes saliva, keeps your mouth and throat moist, and helps you digest food.

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Anal -

Anal cancer develops in the anus' tissues or the lining of the anal canal. Common symptoms are rectal bleeding or persistent itching.

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Colon and rectal -

Most cancers of the colon and rectum develop from a cell or a group of cells of the lining of the intestinal wall. These cells multiply and organize into a small, non-cancerous tumor called the polyp. As it grows, a polyp can turn into cancer.

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Uterine corpus -

Usually referred to as endometrial cancer, it arises from the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity. Uterine corpus cancer is the most prevalent gynecologic malignancy in the US.

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Gallbladder and other biliary -

Gallbladder cancer is the most common cancer of the biliary tract. It's when malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the gallbladder and bile duct.

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Kidney and renal pelvis -

Kidney and renal pelvis cancer is a disease in which cells in the kidney grow out of control. It can also be called renal cell cancer.

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Pancreatic -

Pancreatic cancer affects your pancreas, a gland in your abdomen that aids in digestion. Survival rates are low because the disease is difficult to detect in the early stages.

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Myeloma -

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma is often called multiple myeloma because most people have multiple bone lesions at the time of diagnosis. 

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Non-cardia gastric -

This type of stomach cancer begins in the mucous-producing cells in the inner lining of the main part of the stomach. It includes the fundus, body, antrum, and pylorus.

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Testis -

Also known as testicular cancer, it develops when cells multiply faster than usual, eventually forming a lump or tumor.

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Leukemia -

Leukemia is a term for cancers of the blood cells. The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly. 

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Kaposi sarcoma -

Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. The cancer forms growths of cells, called lesions, on the skin.

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Why the sharp increase in cancer rates? -

According to the study, obesity plays a substantial role in the increase of cancer rates. In fact, 10 of the 17 cancers listed in the study are associated with obesity. 

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Obesity increase -

The study explain that, since the 1970s, obesity has increased in all age groups. However, the swiftest increase has been in younger people, aged two to 19 years.

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Additional factors -

Beyond overweight and obesity, other factors may also play a role, such as an increase in sedentary lifestyles, altered sleep patterns, and chemicals in the environment. 

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Western diet -

Western diet, which is high in saturated fats, sugar, refined grains, and ultra-processed foods, is linked to increased cancer risk.

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Gut microbiome -

Because some cancers affecting the digestive system aren't related directly to obesity, the study suggests that changes in the gut microbiome may also be a factor.

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A link to certain cancers -

Although more research is needed to understand the role of gut bacteria in cancer, the study suggests that specific microbes and dietary patterns have now been linked to oral and gastrointestinal tract cancers. 

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Exposure to toxins -

The study also suggests that certain environmental toxins may play a role in increasing cancer rates.

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Plastics and their breakdown products -

Another environmental toxin, plastics, and their breakdown products have also been identified to contribute to cancer.

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Rates of some forms of cancer are declining -

Despite the concerning implications of increasing cancer rates, some other cancers have been declining in younger generations. For example, cervical cancer has seen a significant decline thanks to the effectiveness of HPV vaccination among women born around 1990. 

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Decline in smoking rates -

Also, due to a decrease in smoking rates, there has been a decline in cancers of the lung, larynx, and esophagus.

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Declining mortality rates -

Mortality rates are also declining for many cancer types, even those with increased rates. This is likely due to early detection due to better screening, advances in treatment, or both.

Sources: (Healthline) (CNN) (NBC News) 

See also: Cancer screening: what tests you should be doing and when

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