Are chemicals guilty of cancer in newborn people? Here’s what the evidence says

Cancer is traditionally known as a disease affecting mainly the elderly.

But some disturbing trends show cancer indicators in younger people under the age of 50 They grow.

This week, ABC 4 corners suggest that chemicals, including plastics, can play a role in the growing indicators of these early cancers.

What according to evidence causes this growth? What can we do about it?

Why does cancer mainly affect older people?

Each cell in your body contains a copy of your DNA – the instructions needed for the proper functioning of the cell.

However, DNA can be damaged or “mutated” in such a way that the cell no longer will do the work it should.

Some mutations will allow the cell to make too many copies and come up with control. Others can protect this from death. And others still allow him to move and travel to other organs where they do not belong.

Collecting too many of these DNA mutations can lead to cancer.

Every time a fresh cell is formed in our body, a copy of our DNA is created. Sometimes, due to a random chance, there are errors that introduce genetic mutations.

Think about how to create photocopies of photocopies and so on. Each copy will be slightly different than the original.

Most DNA mutations are harmless.

But your cells make billions of fresh copies every day. The older you get, the more DNA you will make in your lifetime, and More likely You have unsafe mistakes in these copies.

As the aging ages, our bodies are not so good in recognizing and removing cells with unsafe mutations. That’s why there is cancer much more common in the elderly.

What causes cancer in younger people?

One of the reasons why increased cancer rates in younger people is so disturbing is that this means that environmental factors are likely We do not know yet Fr..

Environmental factors are all except our bodies: things such as chemicals, viruses and bacteria, the amount we practice, and the food we eat.

Many of these environmental factors can escalate the likelihood of DNA copying errors, and even directly damage our DNA, increasing the risk of cancer.

One known example is ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun, which can lead to skin cancer. Smoking is another one, which can lead to lung cancer.

Fortunately, they led to the fact that public campaigns of consciousness regarding the dangers associated with exposure to the sun and reduced indicators of people smoking falling numbers Cases of skin and lung cancer in Australians under 50 years of age in the last 30 years.

But other types of cancer – including liver, pancreas, prostate, breast and kidney cancers – are Growth in young people in Australia. The trend is globalEspecially among richer Western countries.

What role do chemicals play?

Scientists are working on understanding the causes of these increases. Currently, chemicals are in the center of attention as an environmental factor of special interest.

We are exposed to more chemicals in up-to-date times than many of our ancestors – such things as air pollution, food additives, plastics and many others.

In addition to alcohol and cigarette smoke, most chemicals Definitely related to cancer They are not those that most people have regularly met because they are constrained to spaces such as industry.

One of Main disturbing chemicals They are plastics that are ubiquitous: almost everyone meets them every day.

Experts agree that plastics represent generally massive general risk to the human and the environment.

But there are so many thousands of plastics, it is complex to indicate fingers to specific, causing specific problems, including cancer.

Studies using animals can give robust evidence in one way or another. But in people who are exposed to thousands of different environmental factors every day, it is complex to ultimately say “risk factor X contributes to cancer Y”.

Therefore, one cannot indicate a single “smoking” in the case of growing early beginning cancer indicators.

Let’s utilize colorectal cancer (also called intestinal cancer) as an example to illustrate the problem.

Why do newborn people receive bowel cancer?

In the elderly, intestinal cancer indicators actually fall. This is partly considered because of the improved Testing and screening tests Helping in catching and destroying unsafe cells before they actually become cancer.

But early bowel cancer indicators are growing.

Some people speculate that this may result from increased exposure to plastics, because the digestive system is exposed on them by eating we eat. This includes things like Nano- or micro-plasticityor chemicals escaping from plastic in food, such as Pfas (per- and poli-floorine substances).

But there are other potential culprits, such as diet and lifestyle, with obesity and alcohol consumption correlating with increased cancer indicators.

Bacteria can also play a role: it is believed that the types of bacteria in the microbiome take part in Down Risk of bowel cancer. Even exposure to some bacterial toxins was Related to the risk of bowel cancer.

How can you reduce the risk of cancer?

Although there is no final evidence combining chemicals with increased risk of cancer in newborn people, this is an area of ​​intensive ongoing research. Reduction of utilize and exposure to plastics and chemicals, if possible Probably a healthy thing.

In addition, you can reduce the overall risk of cancer regular exercises and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.

If you have any concerns, especially if you have a family history of cancer, consult a doctor.