Millennials Face Surge in Rare Cancer as Experts Warn of ‘Tip of the Iceberg’

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00:00Millennials face surge in rare cancer as experts warn of tip of the iceberg.

00:06A rarely spoken about type of cancer is on the rise in younger generations.

00:11Symptoms are often mistaken for common stomach issues,

00:15masking the rare appendix cancer, or appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

00:20It's characterized by the growth of a malignant tumor of the appendix lining.

00:24Researchers stress the importance of awareness to avoid misdiagnosis.

00:30For the 2025 study in Annals of Internal Medicine,

00:36researchers analyzed 4,858 U.S. cases from SEER Cancer Registries.

00:43They found a 3.41x higher appendix cancer incidence in the 1980 cohort

00:49and 4.62x in 1985 compared to 1945,

00:54highlighting a risk for Gen X and Millennials.

00:57Despite 3,000 annual U.S. cases, it's rare compared to breast cancer.

01:04The results emphasize the need for targeted research and education.

01:07The biggest issue with diagnosing this rare cancer is the lack of initial symptoms.

01:17As it progresses, symptoms like abdominal pain and nausea mimic common issues like IBS,

01:23leading to oversight.

01:24With no routine screening, most cases are discovered accidentally,

01:28during procedures like appendectomies.

01:30Experts caution that persistent stomach issues in younger adults

01:35should prompt consideration of appendix cancer as a potential cause,

01:39urging doctors not to dismiss them as benign conditions.

01:43So, what are the risk factors that can lead to the development of appendix cancer?

01:52Researchers, due to the cancer's rarity, remain uncertain about its causes.

01:57Lifestyle and environmental factors affecting immune and gut health are suspected.

02:02Ultraprocessed foods and microplastic accumulation may cause inflammation,

02:08while alcohol, smoking, sedentary behavior, and obesity are potential risks.

02:14Researchers are exploring its long-term impacts on gastrointestinal cancers.