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Princess Kate (42) shocked the whole world with her cancer diagnosis. More and more other younger women are also developing tumors. A Munich chief physician explains cancer in the abdominal cavity.
Munich – The video went around the world – we are also horrified: At just 42 years old, Princess Kate is suffering from cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy. The mother of three did not give the exact diagnosis, but the fact is: she shares the fate of more and more young women. This is proven by several scientific papers, including a large study with data from the American Cancer Institute.
Large US study shows: Significant increase in younger cancer patients
Between 2010 and 2019, American scientists analyzed more than half a million cancer cases in patients under the age of 50. The result: Overall, cancer is affecting more and more younger adults – and younger women are particularly hard hit by the increase. In the US analysis, the increase within the almost decade examined was 4.35 percent. After breast cancer and thyroid carcinoma, early-stage colorectal cancer was diagnosed most frequently.
Professor Franz Bader from the Isar Clinic in Munich: “Rapid increase in colon cancer cases in patients between 30 and 50.”
“Colon cancer is also increasing rapidly in Germany, especially in patients between the ages of 30 and 50,” said Professor Franz G. Bader on Friday evening in an interview with the Münchner Merkur/tz media group. The colon cancer specialist and head of surgery at Munich’s Isar Clinic is therefore in favor of consistently expanding preventive colonoscopies, including for younger patients. The German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) is also pushing for this.: “For people with colon cancer in their family, regular screening from the age of 30 would be life-saving in many cases.”
Increase in early-stage cancer in a total of 14 tumor diseases, especially in the abdominal area
As Deutsche Welle (DW) reported, studies show that the increase in cancer among younger people is not limited to the USA. A study of cancer registries in 44 countries found that the incidence of early-stage cancer in 14 types of cancer, many of which affect the digestive system, is increasing rapidly. “The fact that cancer is being diagnosed more and more frequently – even in younger adults in their thirties – is mainly due to the fact that early detection tests have now become much more precise and because more and earlier tests are being carried out,” says the DW article.
Cervical cancer caused by viruses: Doctors urgently recommend vaccination
In addition to colon cancer, young women are also increasingly affected by cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. “Cervical cancer is most often caused by human papilloma viruses (HPV),” explains Bader. These viruses are transmitted through direct skin and mucous membrane contact; the risk of infection is particularly high during sexual intercourse. Although many of the more than 200 different types of HPV are harmless, some of these types of viruses can cause various types of cancer. Important: Today, vaccination is available for children between the ages of nine and 15.”
Ovarian cancer: In certain cases also higher risk of breast cancer
When it comes to ovarian cancer, women sometimes receive an additional shock diagnosis: “In certain cases, breast cancer can also occur more frequently in this context,” says Professor Bader. Another cancer that women struggle with is endometrial cancer. This causes cells in the inner lining of the uterus to degenerate.