Post by robeiae on Mar 7, 2017 8:10:05 GMT -5
www.cancer.org/latest-news/study-finds-sharp-rise-in-colon-cancer-and-rectal-cancer-rates-among-young-adults.html
What's behind it? Well...
My first thought when I saw this was that the rise was a consequence of more frequent screenings. I think this happened with breast cancer, a spike in rates that merely reflected improved and more frequent screenings. But it seems like younger people are only getting checked for colon cancer because they are already showing symptoms.
This new study reminded me of the WHO one on life expectancy:
The health insurance angle seems to always get mentioned. Indeed, it's there with the colon cancer as well:
It's a valid angle, to be sure, especially with regard to insurance providers having a say over what procedure to have or not have (which is ridiculous, imo). But it seems to me that the colon cancer rise and indeed the flattening of life expectancy is far more about lifestyle choices--particularly with regard to what we ingest--than it is access to healthcare.
Thoughts?
A study led by American Cancer Society researchers finds that new cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are occurring at an increasing rate among young and middle-aged adults in the US. Once age is taken into account, those born in 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer compared to people born around 1950, when risk was lowest...
The study found that for adults ages 20 to 39, colon cancer incidence rates increased by 1% to 2% per year through 2013. In adults 40 to 54, rates increased by 0.5% to 1% per year from the mid-1990s through 2013.
The study found that for adults ages 20 to 39, colon cancer incidence rates increased by 1% to 2% per year through 2013. In adults 40 to 54, rates increased by 0.5% to 1% per year from the mid-1990s through 2013.
What's behind it? Well...
Brawley says the risk of colorectal cancer is increasing for every generation born since the 1950s, likely due to the complex relationship between colorectal cancer and obesity, an unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity.
My first thought when I saw this was that the rise was a consequence of more frequent screenings. I think this happened with breast cancer, a spike in rates that merely reflected improved and more frequent screenings. But it seems like younger people are only getting checked for colon cancer because they are already showing symptoms.
This new study reminded me of the WHO one on life expectancy:
The poor levels of life expectancy in the U.S. against other rich nations has been laid bare in a new report, which predicts that minimal gains over the coming years will see the country have similar rates to Mexico by the year 2030...
"(The U.S.) are almost the opposite of South Korea," said Majid Ezzati, professor of global environmental health at Imperial College London and the leader of the latest medical research. "(Society in the U.S. is) very unequal to an extent the whole national performance is affected – it is the only country without universal health insurance," Ezzati added.
The research described how the U.S. has the highest child and maternal mortality, homicide rate, and body-mass index of any high-income country.
"(The U.S.) are almost the opposite of South Korea," said Majid Ezzati, professor of global environmental health at Imperial College London and the leader of the latest medical research. "(Society in the U.S. is) very unequal to an extent the whole national performance is affected – it is the only country without universal health insurance," Ezzati added.
The research described how the U.S. has the highest child and maternal mortality, homicide rate, and body-mass index of any high-income country.
The health insurance angle seems to always get mentioned. Indeed, it's there with the colon cancer as well:
A couple of years ago, his doctor suggested a colonoscopy. But because Devries was far younger than the recommended age for a first colonoscopy — 50 for those with no family history, 45 for African-Americans — his insurer said it probably wouldn’t pay, and if it did, his high-deductible plan would leave him footing most of the bill.
It's a valid angle, to be sure, especially with regard to insurance providers having a say over what procedure to have or not have (which is ridiculous, imo). But it seems to me that the colon cancer rise and indeed the flattening of life expectancy is far more about lifestyle choices--particularly with regard to what we ingest--than it is access to healthcare.
Thoughts?
