Millennials and the hidden risk of cancer: Why more young adults are getting the disease. Essential strategies to prevent disease

More and more young adults are dealing with ailments that until recently were considered specific to middle age or advanced age – high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or various forms of cancer. The phenomenon is increasingly visible among the millennial generation (Millennials), i.e. people born between 1981 and 1995, who, according to recent studies, represent the first generation with a higher risk of developing tumors compared to their parents.

Millennials, the generation at the highest risk of cancer Photo Shutterstock

The data shows that between 1990 and 2019, the number of cases of early-onset cancer – diagnosed in people under 50 – increased globally by 79%, and the mortality associated with these diseases rose by 28%.

Specialists explain that approximately 80% of cancer cases are of the “sporadic” type, that is, they do not have hereditary causes, but are triggered by environmental and lifestyle factors. These include an unbalanced diet, exposure to pollutants, low levels of physical activity, lack of rest, stress and prolonged contact with harmful substances.

Thus, the main factors that influence the risk of disease are those associated with the contemporary lifestyle – a way of life significantly different from that of previous generations.

Imbalanced nutrition and its long-term consequences

One of the main factors behind this “new epidemics” it's food. Childhood obesity began to rise alarmingly in the 1980s. In 2022, more than 390 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 were overweight, of which 160 million were obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This condition isn't just about physical appearance: it's associated with insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, and hormonal changes that increase the risk of colorectal, breast, or endometrial cancer.

More importantly, the effects of childhood obesity do not disappear with age. According to the Colon Cancer Foundation, a meta-analysis that included more than 4.7 million people showed that individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) in childhood have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer in adulthood: 39% higher in men and 19% higher in women, compared to those who had a healthy BMI in childhood.

Dietary changes also influenced the gut microbiota. Studies show that a diet high in ultra-processed foods reduces bacterial diversity and increases the proportion of strains that produce pro-inflammatory metabolites.

This phenomenon contributes to the emergence of gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overpopulation) – diseases that seem almost endemic among the millennial generation. If you ask a group of people in their 30s how many people have digestive problems, you'll notice that very few come up short.

Alcohol and the Hidden Health Risks of Millennials

The second big culprit is alcohol, as dating between millennials often revolves around a table full of food and drink. For many years it was believed that a glass of wine could have an effect “protective”but today we know that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a Group 1 carcinogen, on the same level as tobacco. The reason is that the body converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a compound that damages DNA.

In addition, consumption patterns differ significantly between generations. While baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) tend to drink alcohol daily, in moderate amounts, millennials tend to drink less often but resort to binge drinking episodes (“binge drinking”) when they do – a habit that carries considerable health risks.

This is confirmed by the EDADES 2024 survey, carried out by Spanish Ministry of Healthwhich looks at the levels of risk associated with different consumption patterns across generations.

And, as if that wasn't enough, a recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology shows that many beers contain perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – highly persistent chemicals also known as “permanent chemicals”which have been associated with an increased risk of testicular and kidney cancer.

Insufficient sleep and the impact on the body of young adults

We sleep less and worse than previous generations. Recent studies show that millennials and Gen Z sleep, on average, 30–45 minutes less per night than baby boomers, mainly due to nighttime exposure to screens and social media. This artificial light disrupts the release of melatonin, a hormone with an antioxidant role, essential in the regulation of the cell cycle.

Chronic lack of sleep not only impairs the body's ability to repair DNA, but also diminishes the protective effects of melatonin against cancer. Low levels of this hormone have been associated with a reduced ability to counteract oxidative stress and an increase in cell proliferation.

Moreover, the disruption of circadian rhythms influences the expression of genes involved in DNA repair, leading to the gradual accumulation of mutations and, over time, an increased risk of tumor formation.

Chronic stress and the link to cancer risk

Millennials are probably the generation with the highest cortisol levels. When this “stress hormone” remains elevated for long periods, it promotes insulin resistance, hypertension and weakening of the immune system.

Research shows that chronic stress increases inflammation, prevents the body from eliminating abnormal cells, and may even “reactivate” latent tumor cells. In fact, studies of the general population indicate that people with high levels of stress have up to twice the risk of dying from cancer compared to those who manage their stress better.

Self-Medication: The Health Hazards of the Millennial Generation

Finally, younger generations are turning to self-medication more often than previous generations—a habit that carries new risks, both short-term and long-term. Frequent use of paracetamol is associated with liver damage and a possible increased risk of liver cancer.

Also, oral contraceptives, used for longer periods due to the postponement of motherhood, can slightly increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer; however, they offer protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer.

In addition, the prolonged use of antacids and antibiotics has been correlated with an increased risk of digestive cancer, through indirect mechanisms, such as the formation of carcinogenic compounds or the occurrence of intestinal dysbiosis – that is, an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota.

The Future of Millennial Health: Prevention and Perspectives

The predictions are worrying. The number of cancer cases is projected to increase from around 20 million in 2022 to almost 35 million in 2050 – a total increase of almost 77%. The trend is particularly pronounced for digestive and gynecological tumors, which are becoming more common among young adults.

For millennials, the generation is often characterized by the speed of life, anxiety and the resort to pills “marvel”this means an increased risk of cancer and other ailments associated with the modern lifestyle. However, adopting healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol and managing stress, can go a long way toward preventing cancer and maintaining optimal health. Controlling risk factors is possible today, giving every young adult the chance to protect their future.