Revealed: The little-known cancer that’s surged by 85% in young people…and one alarming reason why

Gallbladder cancer is the latest form of the disease discovered to be rising in people under 50 — alongside bowel, breast and lung. 

Data from charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) show an 84 per cent rise in cases of the gastrointestinal cancer among Brits aged 24-49 since the early 90s.

While a significant increase in cases of the disease has been seen in Brits of all ages, younger adults have seen the largest rise of any age group.

World-leading oncologists told MailOnline while the reason for the ‘frightening’ increase is uncertain, they have suspicions the modern diet could be to blame. 

Specifically, experts believe the answer may lie with subtle changes to the trillions of bacteria in our gut — the microbiome — as a result of diets heavy in ultra-processed food. 

Cancer risk has been well established as broadly increases with age, with most cases of the disease triggering after 50.    

But experts have noted a concerning rise of early onset cancers, medically defined as incidences of the disease among the under 50s. 

The gallbladder is an apple-sized organ near the liver and is primarily responsible for storing bile, a substance used by the body to break down the fats we eat.

Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, with just over 1,000 cases diagnosed in the UK each year, equivalent to about three per day. 

But it’s one on the rise, particularly among younger people. CRUK data show almost twice as many young adults get the disease now as they did in 90s.

Actual case numbers remain small however, with only about 35 new cases among the 25 to 49s per year, on average, compared to hundreds among older Brits who remain the most common patients diagnosed. 

Professor Karol Sikora, a world-renowned oncologist with over 40 years’ experience, said the increase had been clear for years.

He said the trend started in the 90s with case numbers getting ‘higher and higher’ while the age of patients have gotten ‘lower and lower’.

Professor Sikora, a former chief of the World Health Organization’s cancer programme, said he suspected the cause was most likely due to changes in modern-day lifestyle. 

Specifically, a mixture of pollution, alcohol, junk food and increasingly stressful lives have a knock-on effect on the microbiome which, in turn, can influence our cancer risk.

However, pinning down one or a combination of factor responsible for rising early-onset cancer rates is difficult. 

‘It’s just impossible to measure…it’s a complex series of things that can affect it,’ Professor Sikora said.

But he added it was logical to see how these changes could have a cascading effect on the organs involved in the digestive process from gallbladder all the way down to the colon, which has also seen a rise in early onset cancer.

Professor Sikora also said it was interesting that despite what has been dubbed ‘generation sensible’ who, on average, drink less alcohol and eat healthier than their parents, they seem to have a rising risk of cancers in the digestive system. 

The oncologist said that there’s frustratingly very little advice that can be given to young people regarding how to reduce their risk.

However, he advised eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and exercising regularly to avoid obesity can help.

Katrina Brown, senior cancer intelligence manager at CRUK, added: ‘Globally and in the UK, we’re seeing an increase in rates of early onset cancers, diagnosed in people aged 25-49. 

‘While the increase may look big for some cancer types, it’s important to remember that the actual change in cases is relatively small.

‘Cancer is still uncommon in this age group, and 90 per cent of UK cancer cases are in people aged 50 and over.

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer include jaundice, the skin and eyes turning a yellow shade, itchy skin and changes in the colour of urine and poo

‘However, this doesn’t change how difficult it is for anyone who is diagnosed with cancer.

Ms Brown agreed it wasn’t clear what was causing the rise but factors like obesity, genetics and better screening could be to blame, adding more research was needed.

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer include jaundice — the skin and eyes turning a yellow shade — itchy skin and changes in the colour of urine and faeces.

Only about a sixth of gallbladder cancer patients are expected live 10 years after their diagnosis. 

The rise of cancers among younger people and the fact that so far scientists have been unable to pin down the cause is worrying some experts. 

Oncologist Dr Shivan Sivakumar, from the University of Birmingham, described the situation as an ‘epidemic’ earlier this year.