According to Cancer Research UK, there has been a notable increase in cancer cases since the early 1990s.
Cancer remains a major health concern, but with technological advancements, we have improved our capabilities in diagnosing and treating this disease.
We are now also able to identify the specific areas of the body where cancer cells develop and understand the factors that may increase or decrease the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
However, recent findings from Cancer Research UK indicate a rise in a particular type of cancer among the population in the country.
This increase has been observed particularly in younger demographics.
Gallbladder cancer, though rare, has seen an 84 percent increase in cases among Britons aged 24-49 since the early 1990s.
The gallbladder, a small organ located near the liver, primarily stores bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.
Experts suggest that changes in dietary habits over recent years among young people might be contributing to this rise.
Such dietary changes could potentially alter the gut microbiome.
Diets rich in ultra-processed and processed foods are believed to elevate the risk of developing certain cancers.
In the UK, gallbladder cancer remains uncommon, with just over 1,000 cases diagnosed annually.
Furthermore, the number of cases among the 25 to 49 age group remains low, averaging about 35 new diagnoses each year, as opposed to higher numbers among older individuals who are more frequently affected.
Professor Karol Sikora, an oncology expert and renowned authority on cancer, noted that the increase has been evident for years, as reported by Mail Online.
He highlighted diet as a possible factor, while also pointing to other elements of modern lifestyles.
Factors such as pollution, alcohol intake, consumption of junk food, and more stressful lives can impact a person’s microbiome and potentially influence cancer risk.
He emphasized the difficulty in attributing the cause to a single factor.
He remarked: “It’s just impossible to measure…it’s a complex series of things that can affect it.”