Appendix cancer, a rare type of cancer, has now been found to have a higher incidence among the younger generations, a study has revealed.
The study which was published in Annals of Internal Medicine journal, found that when compared to the older generations, the rates of appendix cancer have risen four times among millennials and more than three times among Gen X.
“It’s likely that there are environmental causes, which include exposures to food, water and microplastics or lifestyle or dietary changes. You can’t really pin it down to one thing or another. It’s likely multiple factors causing this rise after 1945," said Dr Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist, to NBC News.
What is appendix cancer?
This is a rare form of cancer that occurs when healthy cells in the appendix mutate and form a tumour.
The appendix is a small tube-like pouch located on the lower right side of the abdomen and is a part of the digestive system. According to the Cleveland Clinic, appendix cancer is extremely rare. In the United States, appendix cancer affects approximately 1 to 2 people out of every 1 million each year. That’s significantly less than even 1% of the population.
About 95% of appendix cancers are not spotted until after a person has appendicitis and the appendix is removed and examined by pathologists. As a result, the cancers tend to be at a late stage with poorer long-term prognoses, NBC News reported.
Appendix cancer could be diagnosed through various tests that include imaging tests, laparoscopy, biopsy and blood tests. The symptoms can vary from person to person and may include appendicitis, bloating, pain in the abdomen or pelvis, nausea and vomiting to name a few. Medical experts have underscored the need for more research to find out the cause of the rise in gastrointestinal cancers.