Camilla Jessen
Learn the key symptoms and why early diagnosis matters.
A little-known type of cancer affecting the appendix is on the rise, especially among people born in the 1980s.
A new study from Vanderbilt University found that millennials (aged 35 to 45) are now four times more likely to develop appendix cancer compared to previous generations.
The Study
The research, which analyzed U.S. cancer data from 1975 to 2019, showed a sharp increase in incidence for people born between 1980 and 1990.
The rise spans multiple types of appendix cancer, including non-mucus-forming and rarer forms like goblet cell and signet ring cell carcinoma.
Experts are unsure why this is happening, but suspect a mix of environmental changes, diet shifts, and gut flora changes over generations.
Risk factors like obesity, other health issues, and family history could play a role.
What You Should Look Out For
The danger of appendix cancer lies in its subtle symptoms.
It often mimics common issues like stomach pain, nausea, or changes in bowel habits, which young adults and doctors alike may overlook.
Study lead Andreana Holowatyj warns that even mild, persistent stomach pain—especially in the lower right abdomen—should not be ignored in people under 50.
Without clear symptoms early, the disease may grow unnoticed until it becomes serious.
If detected early, appendix cancer is often treatable with surgery.
That’s why the study calls for better awareness among both doctors and the public. It’s vital to pay attention to signs like persistent abdominal discomfort, feelings of fullness, nausea, unintended weight loss, and fatigue.
To reduce overall cancer risk, experts recommend maintaining a healthy weight, daily exercise, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, limiting exposure to harmful substances, protecting against UV radiation, and getting vaccinated (including HPV and hepatitis B).
Regular health screenings also play a key role.