Dr. Kalil and experts explain increase in cancer cases in young people

The accelerated growth of cancer cases in adults under 50 has raised alarms in the global medical community. The phenomenon, which includes bowel cancer and other tumors, is not explained solely by the natural aging of cells or improved early diagnoses, according to experts.

In an interview with Dr. Roberto Kalil on CNN Sinais Vitais this Saturday (23), oncologists Paulo Hoff and Maria Ignez Braghiroli, from ICESP (São Paulo State Cancer Institute), analyzed the possible causes of this epidemiological transformation and highlighted the role of lifestyle and environmental factors in the development of the disease in younger people.

Paulo Hoff described the current scenario as a moment of "epidemiological migration". According to him, bowel cancer is still more common in people over 60, but was considered rare in individuals under 50.

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"We are seeing a real increase in incidence. It's not just early diagnosis, as some people imagine," he said. He explained that, with aging, the body accumulates more cellular mutations over time, which naturally increases the risk of developing tumors.

"Why is this happening in young people? It's the biggest challenge facing medicine now", he asked.

Maria Ignez Braghiroli ruled out genetic predisposition as the main cause of the increase. She highlighted that, although young people with cancer may have a family history, the frequency of this predisposition is similar to that observed in individuals over 50 years of age.

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"It doesn't seem to be just a genetic issue. What we imagine today is that it has a lot to do with our lifestyle and environmental factors", he said.

The role of the intestinal biome
Hoff highlighted a factor considered new and relevant: the impact of the intestinal biome, that is, the set of microorganisms that make up the intestinal flora, on the risk of developing cancer.

According to him, frequent use of antibiotics may be associated with less favorable flora, as well as a diet rich in fat and ultra-processed foods. "The impact of these bacteria on our intestine is much greater than we imagined a short time ago," he said.

Braghiroli added, explaining that intestinal bacteria have a close relationship with the immune system. She recalled that the body produces altered cells daily and that the immune system plays a crucial role in identifying these cells.

The specialist also mentioned that, in the case of immunotherapy, a treatment used in diseases such as melanoma, factors such as the use of antibiotics, the time of application of the medication and the state of the intestinal biome directly influence the effectiveness of the treatment.

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Source: CNN