The journal Annals of Internal Medicine publishes an article about a rare type of appendix cancer, known as appendiceal adenocarcinoma, which is becoming more common in the United States, especially among people born after 1945.
A group of researchers has analyzed almost 5,000 cases diagnosed between 1975 and 2019 to try to understand this trend.
Doctors have found that people born in the 1980s and 1990s have a much higher risk of developing this cancer than those born in the 1940s. For example, those born around 1985 were up to four times more likely to suffer from it compared to those born in 1945.
Although this cancer remains rare, the increase is clear and concerning.
What could be causing this increase?
The study has not identified specific causes, but suggests the possibility that environmental changes, diet, lifestyle, or exposure to certain chemicals or substances from early stages of life could be influencing the development of the disease.
These factors could be affecting entire generations differently than in the past.
Additionally, it has been observed that other types of digestive system cancers - such as colon cancer or pancreatic cancer - are also increasing among young people, suggesting that there may be a common cause behind all of them.
However, due to the rarity of this type of cancer, data is still limited and more research is needed to truly understand what is causing it.
What do experts recommend?
Researchers call for more studies to discover possible causes and recommend that both doctors and patients be more informed about this type of cancer, even if it is rare. Early detection can make a big difference in treatment and prognosis.