Certain types of cancers are more prevalent among Gen X and millennials, according to a new study led by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The study, published in the journal The Lancet Public Health, analyzed data from over 23 million patients who were diagnosed with 34 different types of cancer over two decades.

The patients ranged in age from 25 to 84, representing multiple generations.

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Researchers found that the prevalence of small intestine cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer was two to three times higher in those born in 1990 than those born in 1955 for both males and females, and for liver cancer in females, according to an ACS press release.

Rates were also higher among younger groups for breast cancer (estrogen-receptor positive), uterine cancer, colorectal cancer, non-cardia gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, anal cancer in males and Kaposi sarcoma in males, the study found. 

Other cancers that were more prevalent in younger groups included myeloma, leukemia, cardia gastric cancer, and non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (in women).

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Death rates also rose among younger groups for liver cancer (females), gallbladder cancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer and colorectal cancer.

“These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-baby boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, lead author of the study and a senior principal scientist of surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society, in the ACS release. 

The incidence of cancer among people under age 50 around the world is projected to increase by 31% by 2030, studies have shown. (iStock)

“Birth cohorts, groups of people classified by their birth year, share unique social, economic, political and climate environments, which affect their exposure to cancer risk factors during their crucial developmental years.”

While researchers have identified some cancer trends associated with certain age groups, they don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising, Sung added.

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Cancer has historically been associated with aging, yet doctors have seen an “alarming trend” of surging cases among those under 50 years of age, according to Edward S. Kim, M.D., the physician-in-chief of City of Hope Orange County and vice physician-in-chief of City of Hope National Medical Center in California. 

“It is vital that we identify the reasons behind this trend.”

“This latest trend indicating increases in early onset cancer is a paradigm shift,” Kim, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital via email.

“It is vital that we identify the reasons behind this trend, educate the public, advance prevention and early diagnosis, and develop more effective treatments.”

While researchers have identified some cancer trends associated with certain age groups, they don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising, a researcher said. (iStock)

There is “considerable evidence” pointing to environmental causes of early-onset cancers, according to Kim. 

“We cannot deny that an extensive range of environmental factors have rapidly transformed in developed countries since the mid-20th century,” he said. 

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While controlling these factors can be difficult, Kim said, modifications to diet and lifestyle could make a substantial impact — particularly when implemented in youth and early adulthood.

“Caring for our gut’s microbiome — the internal mechanism responsible for absorption of vitamins, regulation of the immune system, and assistance with food digestion – is essential,” he said.

Embracing a healthier lifestyle has been linked to reduced cancer rates, experts say. (iStock)

To ensure a healthy microbiome, the doctor recommends avoiding ultra-processed foods, exercising to prevent obesity, and avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption.

It is also important for health care providers to make cancer screening options more accessible for younger people, Kim said.

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“All too often, primary care physicians may not recommend early screenings, because cancer has traditionally been associated with older ages and the screening guidelines have focused on age-based strategies,” he said. 

“Expanding cancer research efforts focused on younger individuals is another critical area for improvement,” Kim added. 

“Expanding cancer research efforts focused on younger individuals is another critical area for improvement,” an oncologist said. (iStock)

The ACS also calls for access to “affordable, comprehensive health insurance” for younger generations to increase screening rates.

The incidence of cancer among people under age 50 around the world is projected to increase by 31% by 2030, studies have shown.

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“There is an epidemic of young people being diagnosed with cancer occurring right in front of us, and unless we implement some urgent interventions, I fear we will continue to observe more young people with cancer over the next decade,” Kim said.

“We cannot wait that long.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the ACS researchers for additional comment.

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As dementia becomes more widespread, Mayo Clinic researchers believe that artificial intelligence is the key to enabling earlier and faster diagnoses.

By pairing AI and EEG (electroencephalogram) tests, the team at the Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) in Rochester, Minnesota, was able to identify specific types of dementia sooner than they would have through human analysis.

Based on these findings, EEGs could eventually provide a more accessible, less expensive and less invasive way to assess brain health earlier, according to a hospital press release.

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The research was published last week in the journal Brain Communications.

What is an EEG?

With an EEG, a technician attaches small metal electrodes to the patient’s scalp, which measure electrical activity in the brain.

The test produces a recording of wavy lines that represent the brain’s electrical impulses. 

It is primarily used to diagnose epilepsy, but can also be used to identify other brain conditions, according to Dr. David Jones, a practicing clinician specializing in behavioral neurology, who directs the artificial intelligence program at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

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The clinic performs thousands of EEGs each year to evaluate patients with neurological problems.

It’s been known for some time that brain wave patterns change in patients with dementia or cognitive problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy body disease, Jones said in a phone interview with Fox News Digital.

“However, it takes a lot of specialized analysis, expertise and manual labor to extract that information, so Alzheimer’s and dementia are not routinely assessed on EEG.”

Tapping into ‘hidden information’

With this study, the researchers set out to find “hidden information” in patients’ brain waves using computer algorithms, without manual labor, Jones said.

The AI tool was built in-house at Mayo Clinic, trained on data from more than 11,000 patients who received EEGs over a decade-long period.

EEGs are primarily used to diagnose epilepsy, but they can also be used to identify other brain conditions. (iStock)

In analyzing complex brain waves, the model identified six specific patterns that appeared in patients with Alzheimer’s or Lewy body disease that were not found in those who had no cognitive trouble, according to Jones.

The correlation was confirmed by also looking at other measures, such as cognitive testing, blood biomarkers and brain PET scans.

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Overall, the AI tool decreased the EEG reading time by 50% and increased the accuracy of those readings “pretty significantly,” Jones said.

“This tells us that there is a lot of unused information in clinically acquired EEGs that we can extract automatically — and now we can begin to build better tools, algorithms and methods,” Jones said.

The team at the Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) in Rochester, Minnesota, was able to identify specific types of dementia sooner than they would have with human analysis. (iStock)

It would be “very difficult” to perform this type of analysis at scale without AI or machine learning technology, according to the neurologist.

‘Significant leap forward’

Harvey Castro, a Dallas-based board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence in health care, was not involved in the study but referred to Mayo Clinic’s research as “a significant leap forward.”

“This technology can rapidly and precisely analyze brain wave patterns, identifying early signs of dementia often invisible to the human eye,” he told Fox News Digital.

“There is a lot of unused information in clinically acquired EEGs that we can extract automatically.”

As an ER doctor, Castro said he does not typically use EEGs due to the time required to interpret the results.

“However, AI technology allows for fast processing of large amounts of data, facilitating quicker, more informed decisions about a patient’s cognitive health,” he said. 

“As a result, I can see this becoming a new tool for me to use in the ER.”

The end goal is to incorporate brain scans, blood work, cognitive tests and brain waves into “one complete model of brain health,” a researcher said. (iStock)

AI-driven EEG analysis could be a “game-changer” in rural and underserved areas, according to Castro. 

“It provides a cost-effective, non-invasive method to screen for cognitive issues early, where advanced diagnostic tools like MRIs or PET scans are limited.”

Next steps

The ultimate goal is to include this AI-driven EEG analysis into a “multimodal” approach to dementia testing, according to Jones.

“That means being able to model brain scans, blood work, cognitive tests and brain waves into one complete model of brain health,” he told Fox News Digital.

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The next step is to implement the AI tool into routine clinical practice.

“So if you’re coming in and having an EEG for epilepsy or a sleep study, we’ll also simultaneously be able to tell you something about your cognitive health, and whether we see something that means you might need to see a behavioral neurologist,” Jones said.

There are still several years of research ahead before this technology becomes widely accessible, the researcher noted. (iStock)

In the future, the neurologist envisions EEGs becoming a “highly scalable and portable” technology, where people can even perform cognitive assessments remotely — “in the same way that you measure blood pressure or heart rate in your own home.”

There are still several years of research ahead before this technology becomes widely accessible, Jones noted.

Potential risks and limitations

Despite the benefits of this type of technology, Castro cautioned that there are challenges with integrating AI into clinical practice. 

“While AI can provide valuable insights, the clinician’s expertise and empathy remain irreplaceable.”

“These include the need for substantial training for health care professionals to use these tools effectively and the potential for over-reliance on AI at the expense of clinical judgment,” he told Fox News Digital.

It’s also important to balance the use of AI with a “human touch,” Castro said.

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“While AI can provide valuable insights, the clinician’s expertise and empathy remain irreplaceable in delivering holistic patient care.”

Other considerations include ensuring patient data privacy, obtaining informed consent and working to prevent biases in AI algorithms, the doctor added.

In analyzing complex brain waves, the model identified six specific patterns that appeared in patients with Alzheimer’s or Lewy body disease that were not found in those who had no cognitive trouble. (iStock)

Jones, the Mayo Clinic neurologist, acknowledged that there are risks in relying too heavily on algorithms, but emphasized that the technology is designed using “real-world data for real-world use.”

“Its value is gauged by whether it’s helping us take care of our patients — that’s our focus.”

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The team is “well aware” of potential problems and takes steps to mitigate them, Jones told Fox News Digital.

“We follow good AI and machine learning practices as part of the ethos of our software design and the values of Mayo Clinic.”