I am young, i can’t get Cancer; Unfortunately, that is not the case

BY ADRIAN REECE

Cancer is a disease that has plagued generations. It is something that comes into contention with thoughts of your mortality as you get older. Now these concerns are coming to the forefront of thought at an earlier age. While the prevalence of cancers are decreasing in the older generations, the questions that pop up are related to the cause of these types of conditions. Along with the plethora of the kinds of cancers, we have to wonder which ones are increasing in young adults. Yale and Washington university professors attribute the rise in cancers to potential environmental and genetic factors. Particularly colorectal cancers in young adults. Scientists describe a stark change in diets and rising rates of obesity that are correlated with the cancer rates in young adults.

Environmental factors are a huge contributing factor in the indices of cancers in young adults. Carcinogenic substances in the atmosphere, industrial settings and regular encounters with contaminants seem to be greatly affecting adults under 50. This is the age group that spends most of their time in these environments due to being at working age. Young adults often work in industries like agriculture and construction which are places heavily laden with hazardous materials and substances. A progressive society enhances the exposure to cancer-causing substances. Building and creating infrastructure requires materials that are dangerous to be around for long periods of time.

The most controllable factor however is a person’s lifestyle. Within the scope of what you can control are: diet, exercise and what you keep in your immediate surroundings (the home). Young adults these days have higher rates of obesity and consume processed foods at higher rates than previous generations. Many food companies include harmful ingredients in their foods to either cut costs, or due to accessibility, and it is the consumers who pay for it long term. Even products like detergent can have ingredients that can affect you in a myriad of ways. A diet of processed and fried foods, excessive sugar, as well as processed meats contain chemicals not in fresh meat and are carcinogenic according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Physical activity, or a lack thereof coupled with recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, and smoking continues to be one of the biggest controllable factors that contribute to the rise of cancers in the body. Alcohol use is linked to liver and breast cancers in women as well and is a big risk that people take the more they drink.

A fast lifestyle seems to be a detriment to health in the long run. Years of behaviours and poor diet culminate in diseases that a person shouldn’t have to worry about until they are in their golden years, however the mindset of YOLO (you only live once) causes youth to no longer think long term, but to do everything right now without any consideration for their future, and how they would like to live. While there are things outside of our control and things within our control, we can possibly minimize rates by being more conscious of our decisions and the things we put in our bodies.

Cliches like healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle will be more important than ever for this generation as our choices of foods become poorer and poorer.