Younger Individuals at Increased Risk of Cancer: A Growing Concern in High-Income Countries

Cancer is a disease that affects people of all ages, but it seems to be increasing in younger individuals. The American Cancer Society reports that 88% of diagnoses come from people age 50 and above.
The National Cancer Institute notes that colon cancer is on the rise among young adults born between 1981 and 1996. This trend has also been observed in other countries such as the UK, where there has been a 22% increase in under-50s getting cancer since the early 1990s.
The rate of young adults being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply over the past three decades, particularly among high-income countries. Researchers are not sure why this is happening and it's important to note that overall cancer mortality has dropped significantly in recent years due to improved treatment and screening.
Younger Individuals at Increased Risk of Cancer: A Growing Concern in High-Income Countries

Cancer is a disease that affects people of all ages, but it seems to be increasing in younger individuals. The American Cancer Society reports that 88% of diagnoses come from people age 50 and above, while the National Cancer Institute notes that colon cancer is on the rise among young adults born between 1981 and 1996. This trend has also been observed in other countries such as the UK, where there has been a 22% increase in under-50s getting cancer since the early 1990s. The rate of young adults being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply over the past three decades, particularly among high-income countries. Researchers are not sure why this is happening and it's important to note that overall cancer mortality has dropped significantly in recent years due to improved treatment and screening.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It's not clear why this is happening.

Sources

74%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Americans have 40% chance of getting cancer. Who's most at risk and how can you prevent it?

USA Today Friday, 22 March 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • It is typically considered a disease of aging, with 88% of diagnoses coming in people age 50 and above according to the American Cancer Society.
    • Colon cancer is increasing in younger people, according to the National Cancer Institute. Americans born between 1981 and 1996 are at twice the risk for colon cancer as those born in 1950.
  • Accuracy
    • The rate of young adults being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply in the past 30 years, particularly in high-income countries. Researchers aren't sure why.
    • In the US, the rate of cancer diagnosed in those under 40 increased a staggering 35.4% from 1975 to 2019.
    • UK-specific data shows a 22% increase in under-50s getting cancer since the early 1990s.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis at age 42 shines a light on a dreaded disease that seems to be striking people at younger ages. However, this statement is misleading as the majority of cancer diagnoses still occur in people over the age of 50.
    • The article states that Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis at age 42 shines a light on a dreaded disease that seems to be striking people at younger ages. However, this statement is misleading as the majority of cancer diagnoses still occur in people over the age of 50.
    • The article mentions that colon cancer is increasing in younger people and Americans born between 1981 and 1996 are at twice the risk for colon cancer as those born in 1950. However, this statement is misleading as other cancers have also increased in younger adults.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains several informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing statistics from the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute without providing any context or explanation for these numbers. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that cancer is either considered a disease of aging or not survivable, when in fact there are many types of cancer that can be treated and survived for years if not decades. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric with the statement 'It doesn't always play by the rules'.
    • The American Cancer Society states that 88% of diagnoses come in people age 50 and above, according to the American Cancer Society.
    • Cancer is either considered a disease of aging or not survivable.
    • It doesn't always play by the rules.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains several examples of bias. Firstly, the author uses Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis to draw attention to a disease that seems to be striking people at younger ages and becoming more survivable. This is an example of using a celebrity or high-profile case as evidence for general trends in society, which can be misleading and not representative of the majority population. Secondly, the article uses statistics about cancer incidence rates by age group to draw conclusions about who is most at risk from cancer. However, these statistics do not take into account other factors such as lifestyle choices or genetic predisposition that may also contribute to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers in younger people. This is an example of relying too heavily on quantitative data without considering the complexity and nuances of human health issues.
    • Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis at age 42 shines a light on a dreaded disease that seems to be striking people at younger ages, though it has become more survivable.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    70%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Chart: Rise in cancer among young people under age 50

    Business Insider Mia de Monday, 25 March 2024 03:31
    • Unique Points
      • The rate of young adults being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply in the past 30 years
      • In the US, the rate of cancer diagnosed in those under 40 increased a staggering 35.4% from 1975 to 2019.
      • UK-specific data shows a 22% increase in under-50s getting cancer since the early 1990s.
    • Accuracy
      • UK-specific data shows a steady rise in millennials being diagnosed with cancer worldwide.
    • Deception (50%)
      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it presents a rise in cancer among young people as a global trend when the data only shows an increase in high-income countries such as the US and Western Europe. Secondly, it states that experts are struggling to understand why this trend exists but does not provide any evidence or research to support this claim. Thirdly, it presents Chadwick Boseman's cancer diagnosis as a rare exception when he was actually diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer at age 39 and continued performing in major movies until his death. Fourthly, the article states that young people who seem relatively healthy are being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancers but does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
      • Experts are struggling to understand why this trend exists but no evidence or research is provided to support this claim.
      • Chadwick Boseman's cancer diagnosis is presented as a rare exception when he was actually diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer at age 39 and continued performing in major movies until his death.
      • The rise in cancer among young people is presented as a global trend when the data only shows an increase in high-income countries such as the US and Western Europe.
      • The article states that young people who seem relatively healthy are being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancers but no evidence is provided to support this claim.
    • Fallacies (85%)
      The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing experts without providing any evidence or context for their opinions. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the rise in cancer among young people as a 'sharp increase' and a global trend, which could be seen as sensationalist language.
      • The rate of young adults being diagnosed with cancer has risen sharply in the past 30 years
      • Business Insider's analysis of young adult cancer rates in G20 countries shows a fast, uniform increase
      • If it were the result of screening, Ogino said, we would expect to be finding more early stage cancers. That's not the case; young people who seem relatively healthy are being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancers.
    • Bias (85%)
      The article presents a clear and compelling case for the rise in cancer among young people under age 50. The authors provide data from multiple sources to support their claims, including charts and statistics that show a sharp increase in young adults being diagnosed with cancer worldwide. They also quote experts who explain why this trend is occurring, such as changes in Western lifestyles and increased exposure to environmental factors like pollution.
      • Business Insider's analysis of young adult cancer rates in G20 countries shows a fast, uniform increase
        • In the US, the rate of cancer diagnosed in those under 40 increased a staggering 35.4% from 1975 to 2019
          • UK-specific data shows a 22% increase in under-50s getting cancer since the early 1990s
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            The authors of the article have a conflict of interest with respect to their affiliation with Harvard Medical School and David Liska who is a colorectal cancer surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. The BMJ study mentioned in the article was conducted by Shuji Ogino from Harvard Medical School, which could potentially influence their reporting on this topic.
            • <p>Shuji Ogino, an associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, led a study that found 14 cancers detected more frequently in young people under age 50.</p>
              • The authors of the article are affiliated with Harvard Medical School and David Liska who is a colorectal cancer surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of cancer in young people as they are reporting for Business Insider which is known to have financial ties with pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, one of the authors is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and David Liska who may have professional affiliations that could compromise their ability to act objectively.
                • David Liska, a colorectal cancer surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic is also mentioned in the article and may have professional affiliations that could compromise their ability to act objectively.
                  • The article mentions a study by Shuji Ogino from Harvard Medical School which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

                  64%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Princess Catherine’s diagnosis comes amid rise in some early-onset cancers

                  The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. David Ovalle, Friday, 22 March 2024 22:01
                  • Unique Points
                    • Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis comes amid rising rates of certain cancers among young people globally.
                    • Cancer researchers said Friday it would be irresponsible to speculate about her illness given the paucity of details.
                    • Experts point out that overall cancer mortality has dropped significantly in recent years, reflecting improved treatment and screening.
                  • Accuracy
                    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                  • Deception (30%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis is a rare occurrence among young people when the statistics show that cancers are becoming more common among this age group globally. Secondly, the article quotes experts who speculate about her illness without providing any concrete evidence or facts to support their claims. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalism by stating that Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis could shine a light on a troubling rise in certain cancers among young people when there is no direct link between her condition and this trend.
                    • The article implies that Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis is rare when it states 'Although details of her condition remain sparse, doctors said the illness of the 42-year-old royal underscores the importance of cancer screening for people who have higher risk factors such as a family history of the disease.' However, statistics show that cancers are becoming more common among young people globally. According to a study published in BMJ Oncology, 'The global incidence of cancers among younger people increased by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019.'
                  • Fallacies (75%)
                    The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it quotes experts without providing any context or evidence for their claims. For example, the statement 'It's not only older people anymore' by Fola May is presented as a fact without any supporting data or research cited.
                    • Fola May, a cancer researcher at UCLA Health and a board member of the nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer.
                    • Joel Gabre, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
                  • Bias (75%)
                    The article contains several examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the princess by referring to her as 'Catherine' instead of using her full title, Princess Catherine. This is an example of disrespectful language and shows a lack of reverence for the royal family.
                    • The cancer diagnosis for Catherine, Princess of Wales,
                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      The authors of the article have a conflict of interest on several topics related to Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis. The author David Ovalle has written articles about abdominal surgery and Joel Achenbach has written articles about family history of disease. Additionally, both authors are affiliated with an organization that focuses on early-onset cancers among young people globally.
                      • David Ovalle wrote an article titled 'Abdominal Surgery: What You Need to Know' in 2019.
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication