Additional Coverage:
- A doctor shares 3 ways women can lower their cancer risk, starting in their teens and 20s (businessinsider.com)
Battling Back: Local OB-GYN Shares Key Strategies to Combat Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Adults
LOS ANGELES, CA – A concerning trend has emerged in recent years, with a noticeable increase in cancer diagnoses among individuals under 50. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, a prominent OB-GYN based in Los Angeles, has witnessed this shift firsthand in her practice and is now empowering women with actionable advice to reduce their risk.
“Over the past five to ten years, I’ve seen an uptick in younger cancer patients,” Dr. Aliabadi stated, highlighting a rise in breast, uterine, and colon cancer, with colon cancer now ranking as the leading cause of cancer death for those under 50.
Dr. Aliabadi points to modern lifestyles as a significant contributing factor.
“Our lifestyles, our metabolic changes, the rates of obesity, the increase in insulin resistance, our poor diet, lack of exercise, chronic inflammation – these have all played a huge role,” she explained. Environmental pollutants that disrupt the endocrine system and the trend of women delaying or foregoing pregnancy, which can alter hormone exposure, also contribute to heightened breast cancer risk.
However, it’s not all grim news. Dr. Aliabadi also noted that improved cancer detection and risk assessment, coupled with increased awareness of early symptoms, are leading to more diagnoses, which ultimately means earlier intervention.
“I wish every woman knew that cancer is not always completely random,” Dr. Aliabadi emphasized.
“In some cases, we can actually see risk long, long before the disease appears.” She shared three crucial tips for women looking to take proactive steps against cancers like breast and ovarian cancer:
Boost Your Metabolic Health: The Foundation of Prevention
Dr. Aliabadi stresses that cultivating healthy habits as early as possible is paramount for overall cancer prevention.
“If you want to lower your risk of cancer, number one on the list is to maintain a healthy metabolic profile,” she advised. This involves actively working to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and decrease visceral fat – the dangerous fat surrounding internal organs.
Regular exercise, including both strength training and cardio, is key. It improves insulin sensitivity, diminishes inflammation, and helps balance hormones, thereby significantly reducing the risk of multiple cancers.
Diet also plays a critical role. Consuming a diet “rich in whole foods” and drastically cutting back on ultra-processed options can profoundly impact gut health and cholesterol levels.
Beyond diet and exercise, stress reduction and ensuring adequate sleep are vital for metabolic health. “Sleep deprivation is poison to our longevity, and persistent stress can affect our hormones and our immune pathways,” Dr.
Aliabadi warned. These healthy habits offer a dual benefit, also mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
Minimize Exposure to Carcinogens
While some environmental toxins, particularly those in food packaging, are pervasive and challenging to avoid entirely, Dr. Aliabadi highlights areas where individuals can proactively reduce their exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) and endocrine disruptors. Avoiding tobacco products, including cigarettes and vaping, can “significantly lower many cancer risks.”
However, her strongest caution is against alcohol. “In my office, I have zero tolerance for alcohol,” she stated, “Not even a couple of glasses a week.”
Dr. Aliabadi underscored that even moderate drinking can elevate cancer risks.
Become an Expert on Your Own Body
Dr. Aliabadi urges women not to solely rely on generalized cancer screening guidelines, especially since some recommended starting ages have recently been lowered due to the rise in younger patient diagnoses.
“We need to stop thinking that prevention starts at 40, that mammograms start at 40,” she asserted. “Prevention starts in our teens and in our 20s, believe it or not.”
She strongly recommends that women utilize online tools to assess their lifetime risk for breast cancer. These assessments consider factors like family history, genetic mutations, and breast density, providing a more personalized estimate for when screenings should begin.
Dr. Aliabadi cited the case of actress Olivia Munn, one of her patients, who took such a test and was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer despite exhibiting no symptoms.
Furthermore, Dr. Aliabadi advises women to undergo testing for seemingly unrelated conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, fertility issues, genetic conditions, and insulin resistance. The results of these tests can offer valuable insights into overall cancer risk, helping individuals understand the level of vigilance required.
Dr. Aliabadi, who herself had a high lifetime risk assessment score for breast cancer and faced initial dismissal from doctors, emphasizes that self-knowledge empowers patients to advocate for themselves and seek second opinions when necessary.
“If someone at the front desk tries to scare her away, she will be her own health advocate,” Dr. Aliabadi concluded.
“She will know exactly why she’s there and why she needs that mammogram.”