Cancer is getting younger

What's behind this "alarming" global trend

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IN a nutshell Hi friends! Today I'm feeling grateful that I get to reach so many of you with potentially vital health info. Ever since I started taking my own health seriously, my life has improved on pretty much every front. I'm honestly thrilled to help others do the same. At a glance, today's top story looks pretty grim. Cancer rates among people under 50 are on the rise, and lifestyle factors are likely a big reason why. But buried in that lead is a hopeful takeaway: Making healthy choices day to day can meaningfully lower your risk of developing chronic illnesses like cancer. We explain more below. Today we're also talking about: • *shocking* news that "wellness vapes" aren't great for you • a fermentation kit to boost gut health • more health stories you need Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik October 26, 2022 • 6 min read

what's got us buzzing Why are so many more young people getting cancer? Cancer has most typically affected people over 50, but a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital shows an "alarming" rise in cancer rates in people under 50. The study found that since 1990, younger people have become more likely to develop cancer in the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, liver, and pancreas, as well as eight other organs. Adding to the alarm is that early-onset cancers tend to be more aggressive and harder to catch. Medical guidelines for cancer screening generally begin at older ages, after a younger person would have reached the age to catch cancer early, explains Dr. Jayne Morgan MD. And younger people are more likely to shrug off symptoms, she adds. So, why on earth are these rates climbing? While no one knows for sure, the rise in rates corresponds to global changes in diet, lifestyle, obesity, environment, and the microbiome. Of note, 8 of the 14 early-onset cancers in this study are related to the digestive system. If you also consider past research linking tumor development to an altered microbiome, it seems likely that gut health is a big factor here. This means the same old recommendations apply: get regular exercise, eat diverse and plant-based foods, sit less, cut back on alcohol, and get more sleep. It also needs to be said that systemic inequities pose major obstacles to the suggestions above. Living in a food desert, not having a sufficient income, and not having access to health information in the first place can make it immensely challenging to make healthy choices. We may all have some degree of choice but governments hold the key to helping all people access the things that make up a healthy lifestyle. tl;dr: New research shows that more and more people under 50 are getting cancer. Experts believe global changes in diet, lifestyle, obesity, environment, and the microbiome play a key role. Because 8 of the 14 identified cancers relate to the digestive system, experts believe the gut microbiome is key to understanding the rise. More needs to be done at a systemic level to help people access healthy lifestyles.

great finds Products we love       Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit Speaking of the microbiome, did you know eating fermented foods is one of the best ways to support your gut health? Fermentation promotes the growth of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria in your gut. Some popular fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Fermented foods can be pricey in stores but it's also super easy to ferment many types of food at home. If you're new to fermenting, the Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit can help guide you through the process. Even if you're a fermenting pro, you may find the specialized pieces in the kit help streamline the process. This fermentation kit comes with four airlock tops, four glass weights, a vegetable tamper, and a recipe book to expand your fermenting horizons. (You have to buy the wide-mouth Mason jars separately.) With the holidays on the way, this may also make a good gift for that friend who loves to try new things in the kitchen. Shop now

say what   Look who's talking "Let me be clear. I am healthy. I wear a size 12 pant. Size large legging, XL sports bra, and size large tank top." – Ash Pryor, Peloton instructor     Rowing athlete, and Founder of Relentless Rowing Academy Ash Pryor recently joined Peloton as a rowing instructor. When the company went public with the announcement, people began leaving nasty comments about Pryor's body. Pryor responded to the negativity by posting on Instagram about the journey it's taken to love and accept her body in its natural, healthy state.

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Wednesday Kick Start WTF are wellness vapes? Take some vape juice, remove all that pesky nicotine, add a couple of nutritional supplements (maybe a vitamin, some caffeine, or an essential oil), market them to young people as a treatment for ADHD, anxiety, or depression, and voilà! You have a wellness vape. A recent study found that 24% of young adults have used non-nicotine vape products like these. The FDA, however, has its doubts about the wisdom of vaping your way to wellness, so much so that they issued a warning over unproven health claims. That's about as far as the agency can go. Without nicotine, vapes are not subject to the restrictions that control the sale of regular e-cigarettes. We now understand that good old fashioned, tried-and-tested-over-millennia fresh air is unbeatable. Spending 2 hours exploring a forest reduces blood pressure and stress, while boosting concentration and memory. Trees release their own wellness vapors which may have an anti-microbial effect on the body and boost the immune system. And they don't cost a thing. Just pray that your local forest isn't littered with discarded vape paraphernalia — in the UK alone around 1 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week.

health stories you need What we're reading next Can you get an STD from a toilet seat? We'll explain the science behind why this common fear is highly unlikely. Scientists are narrowing in on the cause of Crohn's. Experts have been searching for the cause of Crohn's Disease for decades and new research points to the norovirus as a possible culprit. Hearing aids are now available over the counter. Starting this week, you no longer need a prescription to buy hearing aids. Learn why you may want to consult a doctor anyway.

you're up It's ghost story season. And I'll admit I'm the first to point out that supernatural sightings can almost always be explained by science, like how carbon monoxide leaks and airborne mold spores can cause hallucinations. Lame, I know! Then I came across a stat that almost forced me to reconsider my staunch skepticism. According to a 2019 poll, 46% of people in the U.S. believe in ghosts. That's a lot of people! Could every ghost story in human history really have a boring earthly explanation? Which is to say, I've cracked the door ever so slightly to be convinced there's an "other side." And anyone out there is welcome to prove their case — either for or against the existence of ghosts. We want to know: Do you believe in ghosts? Do you have any ghost stories you'd like to share? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com and we'll follow up with our favorite submissions in an upcoming send.

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as much as we enjoy making it. We'll be back on Friday with more health nuggets you didn't know you needed.

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