Cancers That Shouldn't Be Treated? The Cost of Late Nights with Instant Noodles and Smartphones - The Eerie Connection Between Lifestyle Habits and Early-Onset Cancer

1. The Common Belief That "Cancer is an Elderly Disease" is Crumbling

"Cancer was something that happened to our grandparents' generation," "It's something we don't have to worry about yet"—many people have shared this sentiment somewhere.

However, a recent article reported by The New York Times presents the reality that this premise is rapidly collapsing. There is a global increase in the number of young people, specifically those under 50, being diagnosed with and dying from cancer.

According to international research, the incidence of "early-onset cancer (under 50)" increased by about 79% from 1990 to 2019, and the number of deaths rose by approximately 28%. In 2019 alone, it was reported that cancer deaths among those under 50 reached about 1.06 million.bmjoncology.bmj.com

This is not merely a "statistical increase," but a definite rise in deaths among the generation "just starting their lives."

2. Which Cancers Are Increasing in Which Generations?

Not all cancers are increasing uniformly.
Experts are particularly focusing on the following types:Harvard Gazette

• Gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancer

• Hormone-related cancers such as breast and endometrial cancer

• Pancreatic and kidney cancer

• Some blood cancers (such as multiple myeloma)

In particular, young-onset colorectal cancer is rapidly increasing in many developed countries around the world.

Analyses by Harvard University and the American Cancer Society indicate that compared to those born in 1950, people born in 1990 have approximately double the risk of colon cancer and about four times the risk of rectal cancer.Harvard Gazette

Furthermore, in the United States, among those under 50, colorectal cancer has risen to the number one cause of cancer death in men and the second in women.American Cancer Society

Behind symptoms thought to be mere "stomach issues," there lurks cancer that is claiming the lives of young people—that is the current reality.

3. Why is Cancer Increasing Among Young People: What We Know Now

As the title of the NY Times article suggests,scientists have yet to pinpoint a "definitive cause."
However, it is not that "nothing is known," and several promising clues are emerging.

3-1. The "Cohort Effect" of Increasing Risk by Birth Year

Cancer researchers point out that changes in incidence rates are strongly tied to the "generation" of birth year.
For generations born after 1950, the risk of developing cancer at a young age increases with each subsequent generation—this is called the "birth cohort effect."Harvard Gazette

This suggests thatit is not genetics but "era-specific environments" that are simultaneously elevating the younger generation.In other words, the environment, diet, and work styles in which we live may be creating an "era prone to cancer."

3-2. Changes in Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods, Red Meat, Sugar

Multiple studies and expert reviews cite changes in diet as one of the most likely candidates.The Guardian

• Excessive consumption of processed and red meats

• Increase in "ultra-processed foods" like instant foods, snacks, and sugary drinks

• Lack of dietary fiber

• Obesity due to excessive sugar and calorie intake

The link between ultra-processed foods, processed meats, and colorectal cancer risk has been repeatedly suggested in many studies.
The lifestyle of relying on convenience and fast food daily due to "being busy" may be quietly accumulating long-term risks.

3-3. Gut Bacteria and Bacterial Toxins: The Invisible "Accomplices"

Recent research has also focused on the hypothesis thattoxins produced by gut bacteria may be involved in young-onset colorectal cancer.For example, one study reported that a toxin called "colibactin" produced by some E. coli damages DNA, and the "traces" of this damage were found more frequently in young-onset colorectal cancer.
Health

Although causality has not been proven yet,

• changes in gut environment from childhood (use of antibiotics, Westernized diet)

• processed foods and additives

• overly clean living environments

are thought to be acting in combination to create a "gut environment prone to cancer."

3-4. "Forever Chemicals" and Endocrine Disruptors

Some reports and researchers suspect thatenvironmental pollutants like PFAS (so-called "forever chemicals")may also be involved.
These have been included in various everyday products such as non-stick pan coatings, food packaging, and cosmetics.
Some types have already been banned as they may disrupt hormone balance and increase the risk of certain cancers like breast cancer.The Guardian

3-5. Of Course, Traditional Risks Still Matter

Being young does not make smoking, heavy drinking, lack of sleep, or lack of exercise harmless.
In addition to these classic risk factors, new factors such as "ultra-processed foods," "environmental chemicals," and "gut bacteria" are overlapping, resulting in an increased cancer risk for younger generations—this is the current hypothesis.

4. The Medical System Has Yet to Catch Up with Early-Onset Cancer

The global medical system has been fundamentally structured on the premise that "cancer = a disease of the elderly."
As a result, there are still "gaps" in the treatment of patients under 50.SWI swissinfo.ch

• Symptoms are often dismissed as stress or gastroenteritis

  • Blood in stool or weight loss in their 30s does not immediately lead to colorectal cancer screening

• Screening age thresholds are too high

  • For example, in the U.S., the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening was lowered from 50 to 45, but those in their 20s and 30s are still excluded

• Treatment coincides with work, child-rearing, and caring for parents

  • Young patients are more likely to face "fear of losing their job" and "burden of medical expenses"

• Reproductive and sexual issues

  • Future pregnancy, childbirth, and sexual function issues may not be adequately considered in treatment plans

One review estimates that cases of early-onset cancer will continue to increase by about 30% from 2019 to 2030.SWI swissinfo.ch

In other words, this is not a "rare phenomenon that occasionally makes the news," but a structural change that requires a fundamental reassessment of medical assumptions.

5. Emotions Reflected in SNS in the Era of "Young-Onset Cancer"

When the URL of the NY Times article is shared on various social media platforms, it elicits a variety of reactions from around the world.
Here, we organize representative patterns without identifying individuals (these are general trends extracted from actual posts).

5-1. Shock of "This is About Our Generation"

The most common reactions are expressions of surprise and fear, such as "This article is entirely about my generation and it's terrifying" and "I never thought so many friends in their 30s would get cancer."
Cancer, which was previously thought to be "a story about our parents' generation," suddenly becomes a "story about classmates" or "a story about oneself." This shift in perception has a psychological impact beyond the numbers.

5-2. Sharing Experiences and Solidarity Among Survivors

There is also a noticeable movement of young cancer survivors posting their stories with hashtags.

• "At first, they said it was 'probably hemorrhoids,' but it turned out to be stage 3 colorectal cancer."

• "Breast cancer in my 20s. I can't count how many times I thought, 'Not me.'"

Such experiences receive many "likes" and encouraging comments.
While social media can be harsh at times, it also serves as a "place" where young cancer survivors can avoid isolation.

5-3. Anger at Medical Systems and Policies: Frustration with Screening Ages and "Overlooked" Cases

There are many voices of anger, such as "Isn't screening starting at 45 too late?" and "Young people aren't taken seriously."
In fact, U.S. data indicates that the colorectal cancer screening rate for those aged 45-49 is insufficient, and many are not benefiting from screenings.American Cancer Society

On social media,

• "Even when I complained of abdominal pain and blood in my stool, it ended with 'It's probably stress.'"

• "After multiple visits, I finally got tested, and it was advanced cancer."

Such voices are shared, sparking discussions about the need for education to reduce bias among doctors.

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