Rare appendix cancers are increasing among millennials and Gen X
17 June 2025 00:53
(THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE)A new study shows that appendix cancer is becoming more common among younger generations, mirroring a pattern that has been occurring with other cancers since the 1990s.Cancer incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s, according to the study, which was published last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine.Rates among older millennials, born in the 1980s, were more than four times higher.Even with those increases, appendix cancer still remains extremely rare. Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 new cases in the United States each year, compared with more than 150,000 cases of colon and rectal cancers.The findings come at a time of growing concern about the earlier onset of certain cancers, including colorectal, breast and kidney cancers. The new research describes what's known as a "birth cohort' effect, or a disease becoming more common among successive generations.Such an effect lends credence to the idea that people born after a certain time have had similar exposures to something that is increasing their cancer risk more so than among people born decades before, said Dr. Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center who was not involved in the study.And the fact that researchers have seen similar generational effects in colorectal and gastric cancers suggests there may be some shared risk factors between those cancers and appendix cancer, said Dr. Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who researches the epidemiology of colon cancer and also was not involved in the study.Diet is one such possibility, he said. Our consumption of ultraprocessed foods has increased over time, and these foods - particularly processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages - have been associated with increased risk for colon cancer.Rates of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes - both of which have been associated with colon and stomach cancers - have been increasing over time. Young people, in particular, may be increasingly exposed to the negative effects of obesity and diabetes during a time of life when they are possibly more susceptible to developing cancer, Chan said.Alcohol and changes to the gut microbiome are also thought to increase the risk of some gastrointestinal cancers.Scientists still don't know whether any of these environmental factors specifically influence appendix cancer, said Andreana Holowatyj, an assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the new study. Because the cancer is so rare, there is very little research on its causes.She and other experts said that a multitude of factors are likely at play, including genetics. Better diagnosis may also be responsible for some of the documented increase, Holowatyj said.Until recently, some appendix cancers - which are often diagnosed incidentally when someone with appendicitis has their appendix removed - were misclassified as colon cancer.The researchers found a particularly strong generational effect for a specific type of cancer that has always been classified as appendix cancer. A research effort called the Appendiceal Cancer Consortium is working to pool data and specimens from across studies to better understand the risk factors and biological markers specific to appendix cancer.While there is no good way to screen for the cancer right now, scientists hope that more knowledge about the disease will lead to greater awareness of the symptoms and, perhaps, earlier detection.In other research, Holowatyj found that 77% of patients diagnosed with appendix cancer presented with at least one sign or symptom of an abdominal condition, like pain or bloating. Often, those symptoms lasted for months, compared with the more acute symptoms that usually cause people with appendicitis to seek care.
"There's an opportunity and a window for intervention there,' Holowatyj said.
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Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Al Etihad
Rare appendix cancers are increasing among millennials and Gen X
17 June 2025 00:53 (THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE)A new study shows that appendix cancer is becoming more common among younger generations, mirroring a pattern that has been occurring with other cancers since the incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s, according to the study, which was published last week in the Annals of Internal among older millennials, born in the 1980s, were more than four times with those increases, appendix cancer still remains extremely rare. Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 new cases in the United States each year, compared with more than 150,000 cases of colon and rectal findings come at a time of growing concern about the earlier onset of certain cancers, including colorectal, breast and kidney cancers. The new research describes what's known as a "birth cohort' effect, or a disease becoming more common among successive an effect lends credence to the idea that people born after a certain time have had similar exposures to something that is increasing their cancer risk more so than among people born decades before, said Dr. Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center who was not involved in the the fact that researchers have seen similar generational effects in colorectal and gastric cancers suggests there may be some shared risk factors between those cancers and appendix cancer, said Dr. Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who researches the epidemiology of colon cancer and also was not involved in the is one such possibility, he said. Our consumption of ultraprocessed foods has increased over time, and these foods - particularly processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages - have been associated with increased risk for colon of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes - both of which have been associated with colon and stomach cancers - have been increasing over time. Young people, in particular, may be increasingly exposed to the negative effects of obesity and diabetes during a time of life when they are possibly more susceptible to developing cancer, Chan and changes to the gut microbiome are also thought to increase the risk of some gastrointestinal still don't know whether any of these environmental factors specifically influence appendix cancer, said Andreana Holowatyj, an assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the new study. Because the cancer is so rare, there is very little research on its and other experts said that a multitude of factors are likely at play, including genetics. Better diagnosis may also be responsible for some of the documented increase, Holowatyj recently, some appendix cancers - which are often diagnosed incidentally when someone with appendicitis has their appendix removed - were misclassified as colon researchers found a particularly strong generational effect for a specific type of cancer that has always been classified as appendix cancer. A research effort called the Appendiceal Cancer Consortium is working to pool data and specimens from across studies to better understand the risk factors and biological markers specific to appendix there is no good way to screen for the cancer right now, scientists hope that more knowledge about the disease will lead to greater awareness of the symptoms and, perhaps, earlier other research, Holowatyj found that 77% of patients diagnosed with appendix cancer presented with at least one sign or symptom of an abdominal condition, like pain or bloating. Often, those symptoms lasted for months, compared with the more acute symptoms that usually cause people with appendicitis to seek care. "There's an opportunity and a window for intervention there,' Holowatyj said.
Gulf News
18-04-2025
- Gulf News
Microplastics detected in human brain tissue: Could they be linked to dementia?
A spoonful of microplastic in your brain? Shocking new study reveals what's inside us Last updated: Zainab Husain, Features Writer Dubai: Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in size, have already been discovered in human breast milk, Antarctic sea ice, the Mariana Trench (the world's deepest ocean trench), and drinking water. Now, these ever-present particles have made their way into the human brain, according to new research published in Nature Medicine in February. Researchers from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences found that the human brain may contain up to a disposable spoon's worth of these tiny plastic shards. What alarmed scientists and the media alike was the study's finding that individuals with dementia had significantly more microplastics in their brains than those without the condition. Alarming levels in brain tissue The study examined brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples from 28 people who died in 2016 and 24 who died in 2024, all in New Mexico. Among all organs studied, microplastic concentrations were highest in brain tissue and were particularly elevated in the 2024 samples compared to those from 2016. Professor Matthew Campen, a pharmaceutical sciences expert at the University of New Mexico, told The New York Times that the plastics detected were far smaller than previously recorded. This may help explain how they bypass the body's natural defences to infiltrate critical organs. Should we be worried? While the findings suggest a potential link between microplastics and cognitive decline, scientists, including Dr Campen have emphasised that the research is still in its early stages. The study does not definitively conclude that microplastics cause dementia. Dr Qamar Bashir Mirza, a specialist in neurology at Aster Cedars Hospital and Clinic in Jebel Ali, echoed this caution in a statement to Gulf News, noting that the discovery of microplastics in brain tissue is a 'complex issue' and that the 'jury is still out.' Ongoing research aims to better understand the neurological implications. Although the cause-and-effect relationship is not yet clear, that does not mean we should be complacent and continue our lives without making changes to reduce our exposure to microplastics, particularly as polyethene, the most commonly found plastic in the study, accounted for 75 per cent of the total. Widely used in plastic bags and food and drink packaging (which the UAE is currently phasing out), these particles were mostly detected in the brain as 'nanoplastic' shards. Microplastics and the brain: A potential link to cognitive issues 'It seems microplastics in the brain disrupt cellular processes. Hypothetically, their presence could affect the integrity of neural networks, but conclusive evidence is awaited,' said Dr Mirza. He added that the size, shape, and chemical composition of microplastics likely play a role in determining their biological effects. Microplastics have previously been detected throughout the human body including in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, lungs, and placenta. These particles can cause inflammation and disrupt hormones, and it is plausible they trigger similar responses in brain tissue. 'Inflammation is a key factor in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. However, it is premature to conclude that microplastics directly increase the risk of such conditions. It seems from the latest findings that plastics can breach the blood-brain barrier, persist in neural tissue, and interact with brain cells,' he explained. Although further research is needed to establish a link between microplastics and cognitive decline, Dr Mirza emphasised that one key takeaway from these findings is the urgent need for continued vigilance and the importance of reducing microplastic exposure through mindful lifestyle choices. How microplastics enter our bodies and homes Given that microplastics are virtually everywhere, avoiding them entirely is nearly impossible. To reduce exposure, it's important to understand how they enter our environments and, ultimately, our plates, homes, and bodies. 'Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, often invisible to the naked eye, and less than 5 millimetres in diameter. They are created when everyday items like tyres and plastic bags, break down,' said Dima Maroun, a UAE-based environmental scientist and Chief Sustainability Officer, as well as co-founder of Thriving Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the environmental and sustainability field, in an interview with Gulf News. Microplastics infiltrate homes and bodies through a variety of common household and personal products. 'Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured to be small, such as microbeads in personal care products and pre-production plastic pellets known as nurdles,' Maroun said. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, come from the breakdown of larger plastic items. 'This includes bottles, toys, bags, and packaging. Exposure to elements like wind, sunlight, and water causes these items to break down, eventually turning into microplastics,' she added. Another significant route of microplastic exposure is through bioaccumulation in ecosystems. Maroun compared this to how pesticides accumulate in animal fat tissue over time. When smaller animals ingest toxins and are then eaten by predators, the concentration of these toxins increases as they move up the food chain. 'This same process applies to microplastics in marine ecosystems, posing a health risk not only to sea life but also to humans who consume seafood as part of their diet,' she noted. Is it possible to avoid microplastics in my daily life? Rather than asking how to avoid microplastics altogether, a more practical question is how to reduce your exposure at home and in your everyday routine. With microplastics now found in nearly every part of the human body and in even the most remote corners of the planet small, conscious changes can help reduce interaction. Here are a few pointers on how you can create an 'anti-microplastic' environment in your home, according to Maroun: Choose natural cleaning materials like cotton cloths or cellulose sponges instead of synthetic microfibre ones. Support brands that use sustainable materials in their products. Air-dry clothes rather than using a tumble dryer, to minimise synthetic fibre shedding. Install a washing machine filter to capture microplastics before they reach the water system. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms with synthetic textiles. Clean with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Reduce the use of plastic packaging when shopping for food. Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers. Wash fresh produce thoroughly to remove surface microplastics. Maroun emphasised that meaningful, long-term impact requires collective action. This includes investment in improved waste management infrastructure to ensure proper collection, recycling, and disposal of plastic waste, preventing it from leaking into the natural environment. Equally important is the enforcement of policies banning single-use plastics, a step already taken in Dubai and across the UAE. Holding corporations accountable and encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices throughout their supply chains is also critical. Public awareness campaigns can play a key role by educating people on the risks and health impacts of microplastics, driving behavioural change across communities. 'Investment in scientific research is vital to understand the long-term environmental and health consequences of microplastics,' Maroun concluded. 'Science-based policy and technological innovation will be key to tackling this growing issue.'
Al Etihad
12-04-2025
- Al Etihad
Trump undergoes first physical since retaking
12 Apr 2025 10:53 (The New York Times)US President Donald Trump, the oldest man to be inaugurated as president, visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a physical Friday, the first of his new administration and one that he said included cardiology and cognitive 78, said Friday evening that the results would be released Sunday. "I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right,' he said."Overall, I felt I was in very good shape,' Trump said. "Good heart. A good soul. A very good soul.' He then mocked his immediate predecessor, Joe Biden, whose mental acuity he has long attacked, saying he "wanted to be a little different than Biden.'The physical could offer the first glimpse of the health of Trump, who has often been guarded about even the most basic medical information since he was shot in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in has long been phobic about germs and disease. According to many of his former presidential and business aides, Trump has tried to avoid ever appearing 2015, his physician at the time, Dr. Harold Bornstein, wrote in a note to the news media that Trump, then a presidential candidate, had "extraordinary' strength and stamina. Bornstein told CNN in 2018 that Trump had personally dictated the year, the White House physician at the time, Dr. Ronny Jackson, said that Trump had a calcium score of 133, indicating plaque in his arteries but at a level fairly common for a man of his the president at times has offered few details about his health. He went for an unexplained visit to Walter Reed in 2019; aides said after his term ended that it was for a colonoscopy. In October 2020, Trump went to Walter Reed as he was battling a far more aggressive case of COVID than his advisers had revealed, one that had infiltrated his lungs. Public health officials from his administration later said privately that had Trump not been given monoclonal antibodies as a treatment, he may not have was previously the oldest man to enter office, also at 78. Trump, who had a four-year gap between presidencies, was five months and six days older than Biden when he was his campaign in 2020, Trump became preoccupied with proving that his own mental acuity was fine, describing to an interviewer a sample of the kind of cognitive test he took and the words he said he had to remember and repeat in the right order: "Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.' The moment became the theme of late-night talk show coverage. Trump has frequently mocked the age and mental acumen of Biden, who declined visibly during his term. Trump was more visible than Biden during the 2024 campaign and held some form of an event in front of news cameras multiple days a week. But he has had his own verbal stumbles.
