In 2024, there will be 2 million new cancer cases, slightly more in men, and nearly 60,000 deaths from cancer nationwide.
In the United States, prostate (28%), lung (11 %) and colorectal (8%) cancers will add up to about 48 % of newly diagnosed cases in men. Breast (32 %) lung (12%) and colorectal cancer (7%) will add up to about 51% of new cases in women.
In Kansas, there will be 16,640 cases of new cancers — with prostate, breast, lung and colorectal as the top four.
Cancer rates have been on the rise in recent years. More processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle, rising rates of obesity and alcohol use have all contributed. There are some who suspect — with good reason — that cancer-causing substances in the environment have played a role as well.
Looking at mortality rates across both genders, lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers happen to be among the deadliest. The overall death toll nationwide will be upwards of 600,000, being slightly higher in men. The top four killers in men will be lung (20%) prostate (11%), colorectal (9%) and pancreatic (8%) cancers. Among women, the 4 top deadliest cancers in 2024 will be lung (21%), breast (15%), colorectal (8%) and pancreatic cancers (8%).
The estimated number of deaths from cancer in Kansas this year will be 5,660, with the four deadliest cancers being lung (1,250), colorectal (490), pancreatic (440) and female breast (370).
Cancers in people younger than 50 include those that afflict the lung, breast, stomach and colon. The same types of cancer also inflict the older populations, except that pancreatic cancer replaces stomach cancer among the four leading causes of deaths in the U.S.
When it comes to mortality, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death in men younger than 50 and the second leading cause of death.
Among women younger than 50, breast cancer is on the rise, going up 1% in incidence per year between 2012 and 2021, even though death rates have fallen by 44% in the last three decades — except, unfortunately, among Native American and Alaskan women. The highest increase in incidence, greater than 2.5%, has been among Asian Americana and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women. In fact, for women younger than 50, AAP1 women are now level with white women in having the highest incidence of breast cancer 86 per 100000).
The rise in breast cancer rates can be partly explained by decreased fertility and breastfeeding among women. Drinking also plays a role.
About four out of ten cancers among U.S. adults have been attributed to lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol, and being overweight. In the younger population, among those younger than 30, lack of awareness about the dangers of smoking, excess body weight, a low-fiber diet and lack of exercise likely contributes to a sizeable proportion of cancer cases and deaths. In fact, about 44% of cancer deaths in 2019 resulted from modifiable or preventable risk factors.
Protective measures include healthy eating, exercise, less screen time, enough sleep and meaningful relationships.
Starting early in life, people should eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, some grains, cut down on red meat and double down on fish. Exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous. Walking for 30 to 40 minutes every day or three times a week for people in their teens through 20s and 30s would help with blood flow and also burn calories. Running can also be a part of your exercise regimen and is excellent for heart health. For those who are interested, weightlifting can help with muscle growth and conditioning as well as promote bone health.
If you eat right and get enough exercise, you should be able to fall asleep and get about seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Sleep helps regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. People should avoid alcohol and smoking. Most importantly, having a group of family and friends to spend time with makes us happy and mentally strong. People with a family history might need additional genetic screenings.
Let’s hope that young people in Kansas and the United States will follow the best advice and live their healthiest lives.
Syed Jamal teachers college-level chemistry, biology and anatomy/physiology and researches phytoremediation and cancer biology. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
