The three most common cancers in the last two years have been lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
Oncologists are alarmed by the alarming rise in cancer cases among young people around the world. According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, there will be nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths in 2023. Experts predict that the number of people with cancer will increase by 77 percent to reach 35 million cases by 2050, due to population growth and aging. It also reflects changes in people’s exposure to risk factors.
Many experts now point to ultra-processed foods, including meats and junk food, as the main reasons behind the rise in cases.
“We recommend people eat less processed foods, high in saturated fat, sugar and salt,” Matthew Lambert, a nutritionist and director of health information and promotion at the World Cancer Research Fund, told the Daily Mail. “This includes foods such as cakes, biscuits, pastries, crisps, sugary drinks and fast food such as pizza and burgers,” Lambert explained.
According to the World Health Organization, the three most common types of cancer in the past two years have been lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. In both men and women, lung cancer accounted for 12.4 percent of all cancer cases.
Ultra-processed foods, including meat, are the main culprits
Doctors say ultra-processed foods and processed meat have received the most attention among a number of foods blamed for cancer cases. Research suggests that early-onset bowel cancer is sometimes triggered by gut bacteria, which are more common in those who do not include fibre in their diet and eat foods high in sugar.
According to studies, tumors from patients with early-onset colorectal cancer have mutations that may be initiated by these microbial species. These mutations are thought to decrease the body’s ability to fight off precancerous cells.
What are ultra-processed foods??
Most ultra-processed foods include:
- Sugar-laden drinks
- Cereals
Ready-to-eat products containing artificial colors, emulsifiers, flavors and other additives
Most of these foods are extremely high in sugar, saturated fat, and salt, and lack vitamins and fiber. Studies indicate that these foods make up about 73 percent of the U.S. food supply, and the average American adult gets more than 60 percent of their daily calories from them. Research indicates that cancer risk may be increased due to nitrates present in ultra-processed meats, which combine with compounds in the body and damage cells.
Why is junk food harmful?
According to doctors, junk food, which includes sugar and fatty foods, also triggers cancer in young people. A study by the National University of Singapore reveals how junk food, through methylglyoxal, affects the BRCA2 gene, increasing the risk of cancer. Poor diet, diabetes and hereditary genetic defects amplify this risk, especially in the case of colorectal cancer in young people.
Doctors say those who eat mostly junk food may be overweight or get little exercise, both of which are linked to an increase in cancer.
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