Alcohol And Rising Obesity Linked To 'Alarming' Surge In Cancers In Young People

Drinking alcohol, smoking and obesity have contributed to a huge surge in the number of cancer cases in younger people, new research suggests. Recorded cases of cancer in the under-50s soared by 79 per cent between 1999 and 2019, according to scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China.

- REBECCA THOMAS

Factors driving the rise included diets high in red meat and sodium, but alcohol consumption and smoking were identified as the biggest risks. Cancers such as early on set breast, stomach, lung and colorectal had the highest death rates, the data showed. The study did not specify which foods or alcohol were linked to the increased cases or risks but noted high body mass index (BMI) was a "strong risk factor" for early onset cancer rates.

Some experts have called for caution in interpreting the results and suggested more research will be needed to properly interpret the results of this study including lifestyle drivers.