Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in US under 50s

According to a recent data analysis, cancer-related deaths among U.S. adult under 50 years of age have declined for all leading cancers except colorectal. This cancer is now the most common cause, moving up from fifth place during the early 1990s.

Researchers from the American Cancer Society noted that colorectal cancer has surpassed its original prediction of becoming the leading cause of cancer death in the age group under 50 by 2040.

The analysis published in JAMA?found that from 1990 to 2023, the last year for which there are data available, nearly 1.3 millions people in the U.S. died of cancer before the age of 50.

After accounting for age during that time, the cancer mortality rate dropped by 44% from 25,5 per 100,000 adults down to 14,2.

The average death rate for brain cancer decreased by 0.3% annually between 2014 and 2023, while the rates for breast cancer, leukemia, leukemia-related cancers, and lung cancer declined by 5.7% per annum.

The mortality rate of colon cancer increased by 1.1% per year from 2005 to 2023.

Researchers said that the findings were consistent with previous reports of an increase in colorectal deaths among adults under 50 years old and across most ethnicities.

Researchers recommend that people be educated about the "unique red flag symptoms" of colorectal disease, such as bright red blood in the stool and abdominal discomfort. Researchers also recommended screening at 45 years old.

WILDFIRE SMOKE LINKED TO AUTISM RISK IN THIRD TRIMESTER

A California study found that exposure to smoke from wildfires during pregnancy could increase the risk of autism in the child.

Researchers studied more than 200,000 Southern California births from 2006 to 2014. They found that 3,356 children diagnosed with autism before age 5 were among those who had been examined. Researchers found that children born to mothers who were exposed to wildfire smoke particles for one to five days during the third-trimester had a higher risk of developing autism than those who weren't exposed.

Researchers noted that during wildfires, burning buildings and vegetation release toxic metals as well as other pollutants which can be inhaled.

Researchers found that the strongest association occurred in mothers who were exposed to wildfire smoke for more than 10 consecutive days during their final trimester.

Children in this group had a 23 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with autism than those whose mothers never were exposed to wildfire smoke?while pregnant.

Mothers of autistic children are at risk if they're older, pregnant for the first time, or have diabetes or obesity.

Researchers say that their study does not prove that wildfires during pregnancy cause autism. However, it adds more evidence to the growing body of evidence about the negative impact of air pollutants on the development of the fetal mind.

Mostafijur Rahman, the study's leader at Tulane University, said that understanding the relationship between wildfires and autism was important for developing preventive policies and interventions to protect pregnant women and children. Sign up to receive the complete newsletter for free.

(source: Reuters)