Scientists baffled by the in UK cancer diagnoses
THE PRINCESS of Wales is among a growing number of young people developing cancer, scientists said last night.
While the disease in younger people is still rare, experts say there has been a 22 per cent rise in cases among 18 to 49-yearolds over the past 25 years.
The number of “early onset” cancers in those under 50 increased from 23,000 to 30,000 between 1993 and 2019.
And while diet and lifestyle have been linked to part of this, specialists say this is not the whole story.
Dr Shivan Sivakumar, associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham, said: “There is an epidemic of young people getting cancer.
“The cause of this is unknown but we are seeing more patients getting abdominal cancers.”
He added: “Part of this is due to the obesity epidemic but this doesn’t fully explain everything and is clearly not the case in people such as the Princess of Wales.”
Professor Andrew Beggs, senior clinical fellow and consultant colorectal surgeon at the same university, said: “I run a clinic for early-onset cancer in adults and we are seeing more and more people in their 40s.
“Some of this is better awareness, which
‘Rise in these cases is a mystery and the focus of research’
has been helped by the growing number of young people willing to talk about their cancer, such as Dame Deborah James. But much of it remains a mystery.”
Campaigner Deborah, who died in June 2022 aged 40 after being diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer six years earlier, highlighted the unique issues faced by younger sufferers.they include how to cope with telling children of your diagnosis.
Prof Beggs, who specialises in cancer genetics, said: “We have looked at genetics and this doesn’t seem to explain the rise. It is a mystery and the focus of research.”
And he added: “Sadly, the NHS cannot keep up with the demand which was built up during the pandemic.”
Prof Gordon Wishart, an expert in cancer screening at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “The best way to improve survival is by detecting it earlier through different strategies including prevention, screening and getting patients fast access to diagnosis when they have worrying symptoms.”
Prof Wishart, who is also chief medical officer of the early cancer detection company Check4cancer, added: “Given that it appears Kate’s cancer was detected during a planned surgery, it seems very possible it has been picked up earlier than it might otherwise have been.
“If this is so, it is more likely to lead to a better outcome.”
The Princess of Wales is now having a course of preventive chemotherapy, which is when drugs are given to “mop up” or destroy any cancer cells not removed by surgery.
This could be immunotherapy, when drugs are used to prompt the body’s immune system to target the cells.
It could also be a more traditional type of chemotherapy drug which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.
The type used for abdominal cancers can often cause a rash, sore mouth, stomach upset and nausea, but not hair loss which is more often linked to breast cancer drugs.
Professor Beggs said: “Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given
to reduce the risk of the disease coming back in the future, a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you’ve spilt something on it.
“Chemotherapy kills any spilt cells.” Many experts say the Princess’s relatively young age may help her tolerate the drugs which would usually be given in cycles for
three to six months. Bob Phillips, professor of paediatric oncology at the University of York, said: “Generally speaking, the healthier someone is before treatment, the closer to optimal the amount of chemotherapy and the gaps between chemo can be.
“Generally, the younger someone is, the
representative of Facebook and Instagram owner Meta about how misinformation could affect elections, member Liam Byrne said: “The spread of vile conspiracy theories about the Princess is one more illustration of why the time to act is now, now, now.”
The Labour MP demanded that giants share details on their algorithms, which determine what content their users see or don’t see.
Minister for Technology and Digital Economy Saqib Bhatti said: “Under the Online Safety Act, all companies subject to the safety duties will be required to take action against illegal content.”
But ex-minister Mark Francois called the legislation “watered down”, adding: “You don’t have to be an arch-monarchist to see it’s wrong and firms should finally step in, even if it costs them money.”