A recent analysis by the Institute of Cancer Research in London reveals that eleven types of cancer are increasing among adults aged 20 to 49 in England. Breast and colorectal cancer cases lead the list, followed by liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers, with annual increases of up to 6%. The study, covering data up to 2019, notes that nine of these cancers are also growing in people over 50, pointing to common factors not yet identified.
Big data and machine learning to detect hidden patterns 🤖
ICR researchers are applying machine learning algorithms to historical clinical records to cross-reference variables such as age, diet, and environmental exposure. The goal is to identify correlations that escape the human eye. This approach allows processing millions of data points in seconds, searching for patterns in early incidence. However, current models have yet to isolate a single cause, suggesting the origin may be multifactorial and require more years of observation to be precise.
Spoiler: neither plastic nor mobile phones are the only culprits 😅
Faced with the alarming increase, social media already has its favorite theory: blaming the microwave, plastic, or Wi-Fi. But scientists, party poopers as always, say there is no solid evidence. Meanwhile, the wellness industry is preparing its next miracle detox. The only sure thing is that if you keep eating ultra-processed foods at 3 a.m., the study won't back you up. But hey, to each their own faith.