#Cancerawareness

A growing body of recent research reinforces what many health experts have long advised: practical lifestyle choices can influence the chances of developing prostate cancer. Five broad strategies stand out across multiple studies—regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, choosing a plant-forward and thoughtfully tempered diet, avoiding tobacco, and moderating alcohol intake. Taken together, these habits form a realistic, family-friendly blueprint for Thai men and their loved ones who want to reduce cancer risk while preserving quality of life.

A major new review has found that today’s young adults face a dramatically higher risk of rectal cancer, revealing that individuals born in 1990 are up to four times more likely to develop this malignancy compared to those born just 40 years earlier. The sweeping analysis, published in the British Journal of Surgery and led by scientists at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, documents surging rates of gastrointestinal cancers—not just in the United States but across developed nations following Western lifestyle patterns. These findings have far-reaching implications for global health, and offer critical lessons for Thailand as it grapples with shifting demographic and health threats.

Alarming international research published in the British Journal of Surgery documents that young adults born in 1990 face up to four times higher rectal cancer risk compared to those born just 40 years earlier, revealing a catastrophic generational shift in gastrointestinal cancer patterns that reflects the devastating health consequences of Western lifestyle adoption—a trend with urgent implications for Thailand as urbanization, dietary modernization, and sedentary behaviors accelerate across all socioeconomic levels. This comprehensive analysis from Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute scientists demonstrates surging rates of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers across developed nations, offering critical warnings for Thai healthcare policy as the kingdom confronts similar demographic and lifestyle transformations.

An international study in the British Journal of Surgery raises a stark warning for Thailand: people born in 1990 may face up to four times higher rectal cancer risk than those born four decades earlier. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute link this generational surge to lifestyle changes associated with urbanization, processed foods, and sedentary behavior—patterns now spreading across Thai cities and towns.

Data from multiple developed nations show early-onset gastrointestinal cancers—colorectal, stomach, esophageal, and pancreatic—are rising among adults under 50. Colorectal cancer is increasingly a leading cancer killer for men under 50 and a growing threat for women in the same age group. Experts emphasize that similar trends are emerging in wealthy Asian countries pursuing rapid modernization, underscoring Thailand’s imminent risk as urban living and dietary shifts accelerate.

Prostate cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men worldwide, is again in the headlines as global cases continue to rise and new research underscores the urgent need for preventive measures. Recent estimates from the National Cancer Institute forecast more than 300,000 new cases in 2025 alone, marking prostate cancer as an escalating public health challenge not only globally but for Thailand’s aging male population. As medical experts intensify calls for awareness and regular screenings, cutting-edge studies are shining a light on modifiable lifestyle factors that may help stem the tide of this disease.

Prostate cancer is rising globally and in Thailand, making prevention and screening more urgent than ever. With an aging population, Thai men face higher risk, and lifestyle choices can influence disease progression. Early detection is crucial because initial stages often present no symptoms.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland under the bladder that supports male reproductive health. Routine screening matters because early warning signs—blood in urine or semen, pelvic discomfort, difficulty urinating, or erectile changes—usually appear only after the disease has advanced. Regular screening, including the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exams, is advised for men over 50 or those with a family history of prostate cancer.

A population-based study highlights a strong association between colorectal cancer (CRC) in women and a range of adverse sexual and reproductive health conditions, with the steepest risks among those diagnosed before age 40. Published findings from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute emphasize the need for comprehensive post-cancer care and greater awareness for female CRC survivors—a topic increasingly relevant to Thai audiences.

In high-income settings, CRC rates and related deaths have declined among older adults, while questions about survivors’ quality of life, especially for younger women, are gaining attention. Understanding the full spectrum of survivorship challenges helps design care protocols and counselling that support patients beyond treatment.

A new population-based study has revealed a strong link between colorectal cancer (CRC) in women and a wide range of adverse sexual and reproductive health conditions, with the risks most pronounced among women diagnosed before the age of 40. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on June 1, underscores the need for greater awareness and comprehensive post-cancer care for female CRC survivors—a topic that has often been overlooked in Thailand and worldwide.

A beloved physical activity endorsed by millions for its health benefits—long-distance running—may be unexpectedly associated with a higher risk of developing precancerous colon growths among young adults, according to a new study presented at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 conference in Chicago. The study, conducted by researchers based in Washington, DC, challenges the prevailing wisdom that vigorous aerobic exercise is universally protective against all forms of cancer, raising pressing questions for health-minded Thais—especially the country’s growing cohort of marathon and ultramarathon enthusiasts.

A widely celebrated form of exercise, long-distance running, may be linked to an unexpected risk among certain young adults. A study presented at ASCO 2025 in Chicago found a higher-than-expected rate of colon adenomas—precancerous growths—in adults aged 35 to 50 who regularly run ultramarathons or multiple marathons. The results prompt careful discussion for health-minded Thai runners, where endurance events have surged in popularity in recent years.

The investigation examined 100 runners who completed at least two ultramarathons (over 50 km) or five standard marathons (42 km) within a defined period. Among participants, 41% had at least one adenoma and 15% had advanced adenomas. These rates appeared higher than typical figures for the general population. About half of those with advanced lesions reported rectal bleeding, a symptom sometimes mistaken for benign exercise-related issues such as runner’s colitis.

Recent news of former US President Joseph Biden’s advanced prostate cancer has reignited global debate, including among Thai health professionals and men, about the value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests for the early detection of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and an important concern worldwide, presents a unique challenge: distinguishing aggressive, potentially deadly tumors from slow-growing ones that may never pose harm. This ongoing health debate holds particular significance for Thai men, as prostate cancer incidence in Thailand has gradually risen—mirroring trends in the West as life expectancy increases and populations age. Understanding the evolving research on PSA testing can help Thai families make informed decisions about their own health.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and a growing concern worldwide. In Thailand, as life expectancy rises and the population ages, prostate cancer incidence is also increasing. The key question for Thai families: how should PSA screening fit into health decisions in midlife and beyond?

PSA tests measure a protein produced by the prostate in the blood. High PSA can signal cancer, but it can also trigger unnecessary biopsies and treatments for cancers that may never cause harm. Autopsy studies in the United States show that many older men harbor indolent cancers. This highlights a broader challenge: balancing early detection with avoiding overtreatment that can cause impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel issues. Experts emphasize that PSA testing alone is not enough to establish a clear screening strategy.

A notable rise in cancer diagnoses among people in their 20s to 40s is drawing global attention and urging health systems to adapt. New research and numerous patient stories indicate more young adults are facing colorectal, breast, thyroid, and other cancers than previously seen. This shift challenges the long-held view of cancer as primarily an older person’s disease and highlights implications for health services, including in Thailand.

In many countries, cancer prevention and screening have centered on adults over 50. Yet evidence from East Asia, Europe, North America, and developing regions shows a growing share of early-onset cancers. The World Health Organization has underscored this concern, and leading medical journals have published analyses calling for renewed attention to younger populations.

A striking rise in cancer incidence among young adults is rattling the global medical community, as new research and mounting anecdotal reports suggest that more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are being diagnosed with various forms of cancer than ever before. This trend, recently highlighted by The Economist, is upending longstanding assumptions about cancer as a disease primarily affecting the elderly and posing new challenges for health systems—including here in Thailand.

A leading internal medicine specialist has sounded the alarm on the “alarming rise” of colon cancer in Generation Z and Millennials, urging young people to look out for five critical warning signs as diagnoses soar worldwide. Dr. Zion Ko Lamm, whose insights have attracted nearly a million followers on social media, emphasizes that colon cancer is not just an “old person’s disease”—incidence among the under-50s has jumped by 80% over the past thirty years, even as rates in older adults have declined or stabilised. This alarming trend, detailed in a recent article by the Daily Mail (source), raises urgent questions for Thai healthcare and society, where rapid lifestyle changes could echo Western patterns.

A leading internal medicine specialist warns that colon cancer is rising among Gen Z and Millennials worldwide, urging younger people to watch for five critical signs. Dr. Zion Ko Lamm, whose insights have captivated nearly a million followers, stresses that colon cancer is not confined to older adults. In fact, incidence among those under 50 has climbed about 80% over thirty years, even as rates in older populations have declined or stabilized. This trend raises urgent questions for Thailand, where rapid lifestyle changes may mirror Western patterns.