What's Causing Cancer Rates to Rise in Gen X and Millennials?

Cancer Straight Talk

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK physician-scientist Dr. Karuna Ganesh and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy about the troubling rise in cancer rates among younger generations, specifically people born in the 1980s (Gen X) and 1990s (Millennials). The latest research suggests prenatal exposures, environmental toxins, and various lifestyle factors may be contributing to the alarming trend of young people getting cancer earlier in their lives than previous generations. These insights could reshape our understanding of cancer risk and impact our approach to screening and treatment in the future.

Learn more about how MSK is finding solutions through the Lisa and Scott Stuart Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers and MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Episode Chapters:
2:01 - In utero and early life exposures
5:38 - Microbiome risk factors
8:15 - Environmental chemicals
9:56 - Cross-generational research methods
11:40 - Are young adult cancers unique on a cellular level?
14:02 - Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset
15:37 - What is the exposome and why is it promising?
17:01 - Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors?
20:19 - Updating screening guidelines

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Chapter

1. What's Causing Cancer Rates to Rise in Gen X and Millennials? (00:00:00)

2. In utero and early life exposures (00:02:01)

3. Microbiome risk factors (00:05:38)

4. Environmental chemicals (00:08:15)

5. Cross-generational research methods (00:09:56)

6. Are young adult cancers unique on a cell level (00:11:40)

7. Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset (00:14:02)

8. What is the exposome and why is it promising? (00:15:37)

9. Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors? (00:17:01)

10. Updating screening guidelines (00:20:19)