2024
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Cancer in Young Adults: The role of the food system
By Kristen Kim, MPH candidate
According to the American Cancer Society, about 80,000 adults aged 20-39 are now diagnosed with cancer every year, with the most common types being breast cancer, lymphomas, thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, and brain and spinal cord tumors. This number has been on the rise in recent years, sparking public health concerns and raising questions about the drivers of the upward trend. The potential contribution of the food system – from food packaging and agricultural chemicals to diet and nutrition – is a key area that cannot be ignored.
As a current MPH candidate studying Environmental Health Science & Policy, I’m struck by how external factors such as our environment and diet are crucial to our overall health. Unlike genetic factors which are uncontrollable, environmental factors can be modified to keep us healthy. This is increasingly important to consider as more young adults are being diagnosed with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Food system pathways and cancer risks
The food system could be contributing to the upward cancer trend among young adults in various ways. There are many aspects to the food system that can influence our health, from farming to processing to packaging. Food production can play a significant role in environmental exposures, as conventional farming methods often use chemicals that have been linked to increased risk of cancer.
Atrazine and glyphosate are two of the most widely used herbicides in the world. Atrazine is known to be an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) and has been linked to breast cancer and neurotoxicity. Glyphosate is another EDC that was classified as a “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015. Both chemicals are associated with other long-term health effects as well, with atrazine linked to birth defects and glyphosate showing significant increases in risk of liver and metabolic disorders in young adults.
Food packaging chemicals are a source of concern as well. Plastics and other food contact materials often contain toxic chemicals that can transfer into food and increase the risk of cancer and other health problems. With all this in mind, it is impossible to ignore the potential contributions of the food system to the rising rates of cancer in our generation — and to public health more broadly.
Healthier food choices matter
Understanding the risks can help us make choices to reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals that seep into our everyday lives.
Some preventative measures we can take to reduce exposures through our food choices include opting for organic products when possible and bringing our own containers for takeout food (in a recent study, phthalates and plasticizers were sampled in every fast food item tested, primarily through contamination from food packaging).
We can also choose nutritious diets that build our immune systems and protect our overall health. Everyone has different dietary restrictions and preferences, so what may work for one person may not work for others. Implementing changes in our diet can be a daunting task for many of us, but can benefit our overall health in the long-term. As a graduate student myself, I understand that many of my fellow students may not have time to cook healthy meals. But just one healthy meal prep a week can save you money and may reduce your chance of illness.
Knowing the potential health haards in certain types of food can help us make better choices regarding our health and well-being. Public health and food systems are interconnected in multiple ways, and it is crucial for us to understand the possible consequences to our overall health of the food system and our food choices. As I continue my graduate studies in Environmental Health Science & Policy, I hope to continue raising awareness on how food system pathways affect our health.
