Scientists probe ways modern life can be fueling cancer among millennials, says Washington Post

There's been a "startling increase in cancer cases among millennials," according to an Advisory Board story that cites The Washington Post findings.

With the help of a bank of health experts, the Post has determined that "four potential environmental factors…could explain" the rise. They are maternal medicines, diet, circadian rhythm, and chemicals and microplastics.

The Advisory Board article states that the "trend of rising cancer rates among younger adults began with younger members of Generation X. But now, it's most apparent among millennials, who are being diagnosed in their early 40s or even younger."

According to the original Post article by Ariana Eunjung Cha, Álvaro Valiñe, and Dan Keating, "a growing number of scientists  are examining how the 'exposome' — or the total range of environmental exposures a person experiences throughout their life, even before birth — can impact a person's biology and risk of certain diseases."

Additional findings from a study released at an American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting are cited, to the effect that "millennials seemed to be aging biologically faster than older generations. This acceleration was associated with a significantly increased risk (up to 42%) for certain types of cancers, particularly those of the lung, gastrointestinal tract, and uterus."

Professor Gary Patti

The piece also cites research findings that "changes in everyday exposures may be accelerating aging, which makes the body more susceptible to diseases earlier than expected."

The story quotes Gary Patti, professor  of chemistry, genetics, and medicine at the University of Washington in St. Louis, as noting that "we've changed what we're exposed to considerably in the past few decades."

According to the story, Caitlin Murphy, a professor and cancer epidemiologist at the University of Chicago, While analyzing epidemiological data, had "discovered that cancer rates appeared to spike among millennials rather than just increasing with age."

Ultimately, the Washington Post article adds, "researchers say that the rise in cancer cases among younger adults reflects a deeper trend in human health. Several other major diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer's, are not just being detected earlier, but are also starting earlier in life."

More information on trends in diseases can be found in Rollercoaster: How a man can survive his partner's breast cancer, aVitalityPress book that I, Woody Weingarten aimed at male caregivers. My other books are MysteryDates — How to keep the sizzle in your relationship; The Roving I, a compilation of 70 of my newspaper columns; and Grampy and His Fairyzona Playmates, a whimsical fantasy intended for 6- to 10-year-olds that I co-authored with my then 8-year-old granddaughter. Check out my website at https://woodyweingarten.com for details.