Cancer is affecting younger people and lifestyle is a key trigger

Cancer is increasingly affecting younger individuals, and lifestyle factors are identified as key triggers.

Today, the perception of youth as "vibrant and vigorous" is evolving, replaced by descriptors such as "crisp young people" and "health-preserving individuals". The internet is replete with young people's self-deprecating remarks about their physical conditions. For instance, a 20-year-old laments, "The young man on the right shares the same cervical spine problems as those in their forties and fifties. He started experiencing insomnia in his early 30s, with sleep quality akin to the elderly. Moreover, I find myself drained of energy during trips, far less lively than my parents." This self-deprecation reveals a new phenomenon known as "composite aging youth", referring to young people who exhibit signs of premature physical and mental aging.

Recent studies validate this phenomenon, indicating a decline in the physical fitness of young people compared to their predecessors. Research data suggests that many individuals born in the 1990s have prolonged habits of staying up late, with over half experiencing hair loss. Health reports have long highlighted the trend of diseases manifesting at younger ages.

Worryingly, research from the University of Washington School of Medicine suggests that the younger generation may be undergoing an accelerated aging process, significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer. Compared to those born in the 1950s, individuals born after 1965 face a 17% higher risk of accelerated aging, which correlates with a heightened risk of certain cancers.

Moreover, there is a global intensification in the trend of younger cancer patients. Over the past three decades, new cancer cases and deaths among individuals under 50 have risen by 79% and 27.7%, respectively. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer are among the fastest-growing diseases, posing a grave threat to young people. Concurrently, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, and orthopedic issues are also on the rise among the younger demographic.

So, what leads to this abnormal acceleration of aging? Experts attribute it to poor lifestyle habits, including frequent late nights, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and unhealthy dietary patterns. Late nights disrupt endocrine balance, weaken immunity, and may induce various diseases. Prolonged sitting is linked to increased risk of multiple chronic illnesses. Continuous stress accelerates aging, although some effects can be reversed with moderate relief. Additionally, high-salt, high-fat diets, along with smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, hasten decline.

In response to these challenges, experts recommend positive lifestyle adjustments such as maintaining a regular schedule, fostering a conducive sleep environment, moderate exercise, stress management, and a balanced diet. Shedding these seemingly inconspicuous yet profoundly harmful daily habits is an urgent concern for the younger generation.

Reference

1.Fujian Health News