Under-50s have poor survival from most GI cancers, Aussie study shows
Researchers say detailed analysis of registry data underlines the importance of prevention
Gastrointestinal cancer incidence has been rising among younger people for the past two decades, but survival has improved only for bowel cancer, researchers say.
In contrast, the overall incidence for gastrointestinal (GI) adenocarcinomas among people over 50 has fallen and overall survival has improved, according to analysis of data from the SA cancer registry.
The reasons behind the “disturbing” trend for under-50s are not clearly understood and warrant urgent investigation, say the researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide.
They examined data from 28,600 adult patients — including 2128 aged 18-50 — who were diagnosed with oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic or colorectal adenocarcinomas over three decades.
