More new cases of cancer are being observed in young people, including Millennials and Generation Z, which is a deep concern for the health of all. This is happening due to the following reasons. First, many juveniles consume numerous non-nutritious foods and insignificant amounts of healthful foods, which make them obese. Obesity or being overweight may lead to situations that increase the risk of cancer.
Second, diseases brought about by polluted environments and chemicals are also responsible. The booming cities state that more things can contribute to getting sick. Finally, some youths fail to visit a doctor for check-ups when they are healthy or delay visiting a doctor when diagnosed as sick. This makes it mean that in most cases, by the time they seek treatment for it – their cancer is one of the hardest to manage.
This blog will explain “The Factors Behind Increased Rates in Gen Z and Millennials.” India’s favorable population density is young because over two-thirds of the population in India is young and below 35 years old. Thus, such issues should not be trusted out of the way for the sake of healthy living.
How Can We Interpret the Increasing Cancer Rates?
A lot of people in India are dying from cancer, and it has assumed a worrisome proportion, particularly among youngsters. Last year, globally, there were about 1.4 million new cases of cancer, and this rate is about 100 cancer patients for every 100 thousand individuals. This is a lot!
It is also noteworthy that, for instance, colon cancer is increasingly observed in patients aged 31 to 40. An article revealed that third-generation adults who are born after the year 1960 have increased susceptibility to cancer.
Seventeen forms of cancer are increasingly being diagnosed among young people. Some of these include:
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
They say that many of these cancers are present in the way people live today—in their diet and the world around them. Understanding such trends can help us all be ready to do what is necessary to keep everyone healthy.
What Are the Risk Factors for Increasing Cancer Risk?
Lifestyle Changes
Sadly, many young people today are falling ill due to their lifestyles that put them at risk of this disease – cancer. Here are some essential points to understand:
Obesity and Diet
The portion of people, especially young people, who are overweight continues to increase, which causes breast and colon cancer. This is usually due to consuming many foods rich in sugar and salt content and cyclical diets. Also, Dr. Pooja Babbar notes that Millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer convenience in their meals over nutrition.
Physical Inactivity
Most kids and teenagers play computer games or use mobile phones. This makes them overweight and also predisposes them to acquire some forms of cancer.
Substance Use
Another problem is that some people begin to drink alcohol or smoke early in life. For instance, people who drink alcohol tend to get liver cancer more than non-drinkers, particularly young women, and smoking is a factor for everyone.
Environmental Exposures
Pollution
It makes some people sick, and some diseases are due to air pollution, such as cancer. Inhaling polluted air containing dirty items affects our lungs and may cause cancer.
Chemical Exposure
Chemicals in the environment can also cause risks of cancers as the above chemicals stated above. Some substances exist in the food we take, the water we consume, and even in the atmosphere we breathe. For instance, overuse of antibiotics alters the good bacteria in our tummy and could cause cases of colon cancer.
Genetic Factors
Some cancers run in families. Maybe you will get cancer if a member of your family also has it, and it is hereditary. It indicates that young people can be diagnosed with some types of cancer at the early stages due to a family history.
How Can We Increase Healthcare Awareness and Access?
There is no question that, today, it is almost impossible for a young person to receive proper health care services to ensure good health. While the Millennials get sicker with such chronic ailments than their predecessors, the GenZ’ers are still not able to receive medical attention on time. This means they might fail to attend essential appointments such as check-ups or tests that detect problems in good time. For this, there is a need to explain what the early stages of cervical cancer are and, therefore, the need to start with screening all women.
On the positive side, new technologies are aiding doctors in identifying cancers more effectively than in previous situations. One reason for the increase in cases is the increased awareness of health concerns among youths, who are now realizing health complications. But no matter how much young people watch these problems, they also need to make better decisions and get regular check-ups so they do not get terrible sicknesses in the future. As for awareness and changes in behavior, we can positively impact the health of the younger generations.
What Are the Strategies for Preventing Rising Cancer Rates?
To help stop more young people from getting cancer, we can do a few critical things:
Eating Healthy Foods
We should have fewer snacks and have more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products we consume. This will help build stronger muscles and decrease the possibility of being a victim of some diseases.
Staying Active
It is very important that we exercise our bodies on a daily basis! This can mean moving around in the yard, riding bikes, or dancing, which can also make us fit and healthy.
Learning About Bad Habits
We should realize that smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol is not healthy. For friends, if we discuss such risks, what would they be able to do? That right; the right choice will be made.
Keeping Our Environment Clean
The community should work hard to keep their environment clean and safe. This means decreasing pollution and breathing in fresh air, which is good for everyone’s health.
Conclusion
The challenges in India are that many young people, especially the Millennials and Generation Z, are developing cancer more frequently than before. This becomes a big problem since the only way we are left to ensure they do not fall sick or get ill is to devise other ways of keeping fit. The studies showed that by 2022, there would be one million four hundred thousand persons falling prey to cancer. Some of the factors leading to this include poor diet and exercise and dwelling near sources of pollution.
To reduce the risk factors related to diseases, which include cancer, there is a need to work on a proper diet, which should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, avoiding tobacco smoking, and excessive intake of alcohol. In this way, the required changes will be worked out, and youth and their families will be provided with a better opportunity to live without cancer disease.