Summarised by Centrist
The world is witnessing an “epidemic” in cancers among young people and New Zealand is no exception. Experts are quick to rule out COVID and vaccines, so why do they say this is happening?
According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, Australia recorded 135 cases of early-onset cancer diagnoses per 100,000 people – the highest rate in the world. New Zealand followed closely behind in second place, with 119 cases per 100,000 among young people. In contrast, the UK ranked 28th and the US ranked 6th, showcasing significant but comparatively lower rates of early-onset cancer.
Globally, early-onset cancer cases have increased nearly 80% between 1990 and 2019, with predictions indicating a further 31% rise by 2030.
The surge in mainly abdominal cancers among young patients is an “epidemic” according to UK oncologist Dr Shivan Sivakumar.
This increase appears to predate COVID and the mRNA vaccinations and cannot be solely attributed to improved detection methods. Factors like red meat consumption, low fruit intake, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive alcohol and tobacco use, are said to be partly behind the phenomenon.
Furthermore, there’s a gender disparity in cancer rates, with women in their early 40s being twice as likely to develop cancer compared to men of the same age.
