Trend shows cancer developing more in younger people [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – According to the American Cancer Society, 30,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Alabama in 2024. Most cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. However, experts are seeing a trend of younger people developing cancer.

Dr. Carter Capra is a hematologist and oncologist at Ascension St. Vincent’s. He said it’s not necessarily a pandemic of younger people being diagnosed, but an alarming trend.

He said he has seen a rise in cancer diagnoses such as breast, uterine, ovarian, and liver at a younger age.

“It ought to shift everyone’s thinking from ‘I am too young for this to happen’ to more of ‘if I’m having a problem, I need to talk to somebody,’” said Capra.

Capra said genetics are not changing, but the reason could be modifiable risk factors.

“The amount of physical activity that we’re doing; what are the rates of being overweight …