As if Millennials need something else to be stressed about, here’s one more. Defined as those born between 1981 and 1995, millennials are facing alarming cancer rates at younger ages and more frequently than their parents’ generation. Data shows that between 1990 and 2019, cases of early-onset cancer – cancer under 50 – increased by a staggering 70% worldwide. This is a concerning and unprecedented health trend that can’t simply be brushed off.
High Cancer Rates in Millennials
Of course, everyone is asking the same question: Why? What is causing this generation to develop cancer so much younger than previous generations? While it’s natural to immediately look toward genetics, researchers suggest that the vast majority, around 80%, of cancers are “sporadic”. This means that they are caused by external factors that damage DNA over time. The real culprit behind this “new epidemic” appears to be the collective shift in lifestyle, environment, and daily habits that define the millennial experience.
The Modern Diet and a Troubled Gut
The power of our diets, the foods and drinks that we are choosing to consume every day, is a powerful one. While there is certainly a certain amount of blame that can be placed on systems and corporations that have made making healthy choices more difficult and sometimes inaccessible, some of the blame does lie on us. One of the most significant factors driving earlier cancer diagnoses is the radical change in diet and the resulting impact on body weight and gut health.
The Problem of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity began to accelerate rapidly in the 1980s, affecting millennials from a young age. This condition is far more than an aesthetic issue; it triggers a cascade of internal problems like insulin resistance, low-grade chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes. These conditions are directly associated with an increased risk of developing cancers such as colorectal, breast, and endometrial cancer later in life. Crucially, the effects of childhood obesity do not simply disappear with age.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Gut Health
One of the other things that has happened in correlation with the increase in childhood obesity is the proliferation of ultra-processed fast and convenience foods. The millennial diet is often characterized by a high consumption of these products, which our parents and grandparents didn’t grow up with. This type of diet has been shown to reduce bacterial diversity in the gut. The result is an imbalance, known as intestinal dysbiosis, where the proportion of strains that produce pro-inflammatory metabolites increases. This change can contribute to chronic gastrointestinal diseases and is now linked to an increased risk of digestive cancers.
The Silent Carcinogen: Alcohol Consumption
Each generation seems to have had its own relationship with alcohol. While older generations may have consumed alcohol more frequently, millennials tend to drink less often but engage in more binge drinking. This carries its own distinct and significant health risks. For many years, there was a belief that moderate alcohol consumption might offer protective health benefits. However, current scientific consensus is clear: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it on the same level of risk as tobacco. This is because the body converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a compound known to damage DNA. All of this is compounded by recent studies that have detected PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or “forever chemicals”) in many beers. These chemicals are linked to higher rates of testicular and kidney cancer.
The Toll of Stress and Sleepless Nights
Life has always been stressful no matter the generation, but each generation has different types of stress for different reasons and for different durations. Millennials are often cited as one of the most stressed and sleep-deprived generations. All of this has a measurable physical impact on their bodies’ ability to fight off disease.
Chronic Stress and the Immune System
Millennials may have the highest chronic levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. When cortisol remains elevated for prolonged periods, it doesn’t just promote hypertension; it also severely weakens the immune system. Research suggests that this chronic stress has the following effects on the body:
- Increases inflammation throughout the body
- Hampers the body’s defenses from eliminating abnormal cells
- Can even “awaken” dormant tumor cells
People with chronically high-stress levels have been found to be up to twice as likely to die from cancer compared to those who manage stress better.
Disrupted Sleep and DNA Repair
Sleep is incredibly important for every aspect of our health. The younger adult generations, however, aren’t getting enough. Millennials and Gen Z report getting significantly less sleep than their parents, often due to nighttime exposure to screens and social media. The artificial light from these devices suppresses the release of melatonin, a critical antioxidant hormone that regulates the cell cycle. Chronic sleep deprivation and the resulting disruption of circadian rhythms impair the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA. This allows mutations to accumulate over time, increasing the risk of tumor formation.
Read More: Millennials Face Surge in Rare Cancer as Experts Warn of ‘Tip of the Iceberg’
The Hidden Risks of Self-Medication
Another industry that has proliferated impressively throughout the lifetime of millennials is the pharmaceutical industry. An often overlooked contributing to cancer risk is the younger generations’ tendency toward self-medication. This refers to the use of over-the-counter or prescribed drugs for long periods of time without close medical supervision. The following three types of pharmaceuticals are the most common amongst the millennial generation:
- Pain Relievers: Frequent use of common pain relievers like paracetamol has been linked to increased liver damage and a possible increase in liver cancer risk. That being said, further research is still needed.
- Oral Contraceptives: While modern oral contraceptives offer protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer, their use for very long periods (often due to delayed parenthood) slightly increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer.
- Antacids and Antibiotics: Prolonged use of these common medications has been linked to an increased risk of digestive cancer, often through indirect mechanisms like creating an imbalance (dysbiosis) in the gut microbiota.
Looking Ahead
As stated at the beginning, this is not a trend that we can ignore. The projected rise in cancer cases, which is potentially increasing by 77% globally by 2050, is a troubling forecast. This is particularly in digestive and gynecological tumors affecting young adults. While millennials may be “the generation of immediacy, anxiety, and quick-fix pills,” the good news is that the vast majority of risk factors are environmental and behavioral. By taking control of diet, moderating alcohol consumption, prioritizing sleep, and managing chronic stress, this generation has the power to adopt healthier habits and significantly reduce their. This, in turn, will improve their quality of life for the future.
Read More: There’s an Alarming Rise in Death Rates Among American Millennials, Mortality Experts Weigh In