A recent study has highlighted a worrying rise in obesity-related cancers in China, especially among the younger population. The research, which analysed more than 650,000 cancer cases between 2007 and 2021, revealed that people born between 1997 and 2001 face a 25 times higher risk of developing these cancers compared to those born between 1962 and 1966.
The study found that between 2007 and 2021, obesity-related cancer rates in China increased by a worrying 3.6% annually, while rates of non-obesity-related cancers remained unchanged. In particular, for people aged 25 to 29, the annual increase reached 15.3%, according to the report.
Cancer among young adults
The research, led by Yang Jinkui, an endocrinologist at Capital Medical University in Beijing, and his team, was published last week in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Press Medical Journal.
The study notes that the rise in cancer cases “among young adults reflects recent changes in exposure to environmental and dietary factors. While most cancers typically develop in older adults, the upward trend in cancer incidence among younger adults contributes to a growing cancer burden.”
Obesity is linked to cancer
The study added that obesity can cause at least 12 types of cancer, namely colorectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, breast, uterus, ovary, kidney, thyroid, multiple myeloma, gastric cardia and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
The team has warned that without stronger public health interventions, the incidence of obesity-related cancers in China could double over the next ten years. They recommended that the government implement policies aimed at encouraging healthier eating habits, curbing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and promoting physical activity.
Increase in colorectal cancer cases
Among the most notable increases were colorectal cancer rates in people aged 25 to 29, which rose from 17.37 cases per 100,000 people to 23.89 per 100,000 people during the study period.
This increase in colorectal cancer is particularly significant compared to other cancers of the digestive system and is closely related to the country’s economic growth and the improvement of its living standards.
The authors attributed the rise in cases to lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity, tobacco use and high consumption of red meat and alcohol, as well as inadequate detection, which has led to missed opportunities for early treatment.
First published: August 28, 2024 | 1:11 PM IS
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