A new study has found that 11 types of cancer are increasingly affecting people aged 20 to 49, with rising obesity rates identified as a major contributing factor among individuals under 50.
The cancers highlighted in the study include thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, oral, breast, and ovarian cancers.
Researchers noted that all of these cancers, except oral cancer, are associated with excess body weight. They suggest that obesity may increase risk through biological mechanisms such as higher insulin levels and chronic inflammation.
However, the scientists cautioned that obesity alone does not fully explain the rising trend, and further research is needed to understand other contributing factors.
Concerns have been growing in recent years about the increasing incidence of cancers such as bowel and ovarian cancer among younger adults.
The study was conducted by experts from the Institute of Cancer Research in London and Imperial College London.
