There is no single cause of cancer; rather, a number of variables interact to cause it.
[1] However, smoking and obesity are two things that can increase the risk of developing cancer. However, there is a significant feature that many new patients under 45 have in common.
Recently, Dr. Nicholas De Vito, an oncologist at Duke University in North Carolina, noticed this element and began to disseminate his research.
The leading cause of cancer in people under the age of 45
Statistical analysis of Dr. DeVita and his own observations of his patients led him to conclude that processed meats and unhealthy diets were responsible for the increase in young cancer patients. The doctor saw that among people under 50, the incidence of malignancies of the digestive tract was increasing. He added that these numbers increased with each new generation, especially in cases of bile duct and stomach cancer. Process-intensive foods are currently consumed by nearly three-quarters of Americans.
Absence of regulation
Intestinal malignancies are increasingly associated with diets high in processed foods. [2] This raises questions about how the food business should be regulated. In the United States, the use of additives that have not yet been proven to be completely safe is often permitted. In stark contrast to this are European Union regulations that require ingredients to be safe before being placed on the market.
False promotion
Contributing to the lack of regulation are fast food advertisements that present a social and healthy lifestyle without any warning of the real consequences of consuming highly processed fast food. Eating junk food has become a part of American society and is as closely associated with America as Independence Day and baseball. In addition, there are corporate lobbyists who work to promote junk food. According to the doctor, it is essential that the goal of protecting the public from cancer-causing drugs transcends the political agendas of these lobbyists.
Avoid processed meat and junk food.
Doctors advise people to eat less highly processed foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt. These all include cakes, pastries, chips, cookies, sugar-sweetened sodas, and fast food like pizza and hamburgers. Cancer has always been thought of as a disease that only affects old people, but in recent years people are increasingly being diagnosed at a younger age.
Fast food and cancer data
Although many factors can cause cancer, processed meat,s and other highly processed foods have received the most attention recently.
Recent studies have shown that gut bacteria, which are more common in people with a high-sugar, low-fiber diet, can occasionally cause early-onset colon cancer. These microbial species may be responsible for mutations found in some tumors of early-onset colorectal cancer patients.
According to doctors, these changes weaken the body’s defense against precancerous cells.
Ultra-processed foods: what is it?
Packaged foods, beverages, cereal, and ready-to-eat products that contain flavorings, emulsifiers, dyes, and other substances are referred to as ultra-processed foods. They often lack fiber and nutrients and are high in salt and saturated fat. According to a recent survey, more than 73% of the food supply in the United States is ultra-processed. [3] Ultra-processed foods make up more than 60% of the average American’s daily caloric intake.
How often is junk food safe?
According to doctors, this type of food should only be consumed occasionally in small quantities. According to research, those who eat 10% more ultra-processed foods are 23% more likely to develop head and neck cancer. Additionally, a diet high in processed foods was associated with a 24% increased risk of esophageal cancer. Globally, this type of cancer ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death.
The World Health Organization recently declared processed meat carcinogenic due to its extreme negative effects on human health. In addition, there is evidence linking the consumption of processed meat to colon cancer.
The bottom line on highly processed foods and cancer
According to doctors, nitrates in meat are the cause of an increased risk of cancer. These nitrates damage cells when they interact with other substances in the body. According to another study, daily consumption of processed red meat increased the risk of colon cancer by 40%. This was in contrast to people who only ate meat once a week.
Red meat, smoked foods, and foods containing nitrite preservatives have all been reported to increase the likelihood of cancer. If you want to reduce your risk of cancer, avoid processed meat and junk food as much as possible. Try to eat meat only once a week; there are tons of delicious options to choose from!
In conclusion, although cancer is a multifactorial disease, recent observations and studies point to a significant role played by processed meat and junk food in increasing the risk of cancer, especially in the younger population.
The findings of Dr. Nicholas De Vito, highlight the alarming increase in cancers of the digestive tract, including bile duct and stomach cancers, in individuals under the age of 45, a trend closely linked to a diet rich in processed foods. This is further compounded by the lack of strict regulation in the food industry, where additives and preservatives are allowed without thorough safety testing.
The health risks associated with highly processed foods cannot be ignored, such as an increased incidence of colon and rectal cancer, head and neck cancer, and other cancers of the digestive tract. The evidence is clear: eating processed meats, junk foods, and ultra-processed foods that make up a large part of the American diet increases the likelihood of developing serious health problems.
The consumption of these foods, often marketed with misleading health claims, is not only a dietary problem but also a public health problem that requires stricter regulation.
To reduce the risk of cancer, experts recommend limiting the intake of ultra-processed foods, especially those high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat. Emphasizing a diet that includes whole foods, fresh produce, and lean meats while minimizing processed foods can make a significant difference in long-term health outcomes. Growing awareness of the link between diet and cancer serves as a call to action for individuals to make more informed decisions and for policy changes to better protect public health.