Between 1990 and 2019, the number of people diagnosed with early-onset (ages 18 – 49) cancer increased by 79% globally. The number of deaths from early-onset cancer increased by 28% during that same period. That’s just in three short decades, and this number could increase as the kids of our world (following current toxic lifestyle choices) become young adults. It’s a horrifying stat, but tragically, the evidence points to just how accurate it is.

However, the causes of this massive spike in early cancer diagnosis can be decreased and even prevented with strategic action and lifestyle changes.

Some of the key alarm sounders (read this study and in a free PDF version for more insight) have concluded that the solutions should be: “Raising awareness of the early-onset cancer epidemic and improving the early-life environment should be our immediate goals: these are likely to reduce the burden of both early-onset and later-onset cancers.”

Chronic diseases have also spiked in younger generations, and so have significant lifestyle changes.  It’s all connected; let’s dive in, review the data, and address practical solutions. 

The Numbers 

First, let’s examine the plain, straightforward numbers. This data is provided by a 2023 JAMA Network review of 2010 to 2019 in America.

During this time, the number of cancer cases increased in populations under the age of 50:

• Appendix: 251.89% increase
• Intrahepatic bile duct: 142.22% increase
• Uterus: 76.47% increase
• Colorectal: 70% increase
• Gastrointestinal system: 14.80% increase
• Breast: 7.70% increase
• Endocrine system: 8.69% increase

252% for appendix cancer?! That’s terrifying—but it makes sense. Your appendix is in your gut (microbiome – more on that later), and in the last decade or so, you have been bombarded by toxins destroying your gut health more than ever before.

Causes of Early Onset Cancers

There has been a major shift in lifestyle in the past few decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made things drastically worse. Inflation has made fresh produce prices unattainable for many, lockdowns kept people on the couch and binge drinking, beauty products are oozing with toxins, our tap water is flooded with chemicals, many of us are chronically stressed, and I could go on and on. 

And while cancer screening accessibility has increased with new at-home options such as Auria (learn more via this blog), it’s the damaging lifestyle changes that are responsible for this new epidemic of early-onset cancers. Also, most 20 and 30-year-olds are not even thinking about cancer, let alone bothering to take a test—leading to finding more aggressive tumors that have been left untreated for years. So, let’s get straight to it.

Below are a few of the reasons that I and countless researchers (here’s one study by many researchers) across the world have declared the causes of early-onset cancer. 

• Faster aging due to obesity, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, and chronic stress.
  • Combat it with HIIT and exercise onology insights.
• Spending hours a day scrolling through social media and comparing your life to others instead of spending time out enjoying it.
  • Put strict limits on your social media time and block people who don’t bring you joy.
• Extreme amounts of inflammation damage cells and DNA.
  • Learn how to reduce inflammation via this blog post.
• Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods.
  • Let food be your medicine (Essential #1). Learn more via these blogs and try some of my healthy breast recipes.
• Low Vitamin D levels from a severe lack of sunshine, supplements, and certain foods.
  • Please learn more about why Vitamin D is essential for breast cancer healing, and testing, and my recommendations via this blog post.
• An increase in alcohol consumption.
  • Discover the dark secrets of the wine industry and one wine that I recommend enjoying—in moderation—via this podcast episode.
• Chronic exposure to environmental pollution inside and outside the home and office.
  • Uncover how to reduce your toxic exposure (Essential #2) via these blogs.
• Mishandling stress and trauma. Learn how to balance your nerve system and the simple therapies I use via this blog post.

These points and the research behind them superbly align with the 7 Essentials System®, a practical and proven plan for holistic healing and prevention. After reading this blog post, please spend some time reviewing each essential and a few related blogs.

Microbiome + Early Onset Cancers

“You are a symphony of microbes.” – Floré

All of them collectively influence your mood, immune system, GI tract, energy levels, respiratory system, and even breast cancer. Meaning, it’s a tune we should all be singing. What makes it even more beautiful is that your microbiome is as unique as a fingerprint. Not even identical twins share the same design. And it’s not a simple score, either. Your microbiome consists of trillions of microbes, outnumbering regular cells by approximately 10 to 1. Your microbiome is like a never-ending song because all of the causes of early-onset cancer and all cancers and chronic diseases negatively impact your microbiome. Basically, if your microbiome is sick, so are you. And it starts in childhood, and I would like to argue even earlier—the womb.

Many researchers, such as Prof Shuji Ogino of Harvard University, in his recent article, are now investigating the links between how a child and a teen eat,  changes the overall balance of healthy bacteria vs. disease-causing bacteria in their digestive system (the microbiome) and the link to early onset cancer.

To me, it seems obvious: letting your kids and teens eat food dyes and processed foods, sit inside all day staring at screens, not taking vitamins, etc., leads to cancer to early-onset cancer. But it’s something that researchers are finally taking a hard look at. Compared to how many kids grew up in my generation: playing outside all afternoon, eating foods that didn’t list 20 ingredients (like they do now) or foods that naturally contained probiotics, not looking at screens (we didn’t have them), etc. 

Here’s what one of the latest studies concluded: 

“The gastrointestinal microbiome is a key factor in this emerging trend (early onset cancers). Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may influence host genetics, metabolism, and immunity during early-onset digestive system tumor development.”

To further your knowledge of the microbiome and how it relates to cancer development, please review these blogs and podcasts:

Blogs

• Go With Your Gut Feeling: Gut Health
• Emerging Research: Your Breast Microbiome and Breast Cancer
• Gut Health, Parasites & The Cancer Connection
• Gut Inflammation and Immune Health: Is There a Connection?
• Customize Your Microbiome Health And Healing With Floré

Podcasts

• How to Heal SIBO with Shivan Sarna
• Gut/Health Connection with Summer Bock
• Beyond just treating the symptoms

Early Onset Cancer Resources

If you or someone you know is under 50 and dealing with cancer, please pass along these helpful resources. Additionally, 7 Essentials System® is for all ages, and so are the blogs, recipes, and podcasts.

• Breast cancer and pregnancy. Early onset cancers can sometimes tragically line up with pregnancy years. Please read this blog on how to find hope.
• Young Survival Coalition. youngsurvival.org’s mission is: “Young Survival Coalition (YSC) strengthens the community, addresses the unique needs, amplifies the voice, and improves the quality of life of young adults affected by breast cancer, locally, nationally, and internationally.” Since most women who are diagnosed with pregnancy are in their 30s, YSC can provide support focused on things unique to a younger demographic, such as fertility issues and the ramifications of early menopause.
• Stupid Cancer. stupidcancer.org is focused on helping empower those (and their families) affected by young adult cancer by ending isolation and building a community with age-appropriate resources. 

On top of providing free blogs, podcasts, and recipes, we are also here to answer your questions so that you never fear breast cancer again! Please reach out via this form, and know that I and the entire Breast Cancer Conqueror community are always here for YOU—no matter your age, stage, or background!