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In recent years, millennials have been accused of killing basically everything under the sun and companies around the world have scrambled to figure out why they’ve fallen victim to a generation of cold-blooded industry killers (hint: they’re poor as hell).
However, if a new study is to be believed, it appears the tables have turned thanks to a new threat that’s set its sights on the generation: cancer.
According to Fortune, the American Cancer Society recently released a report after taking a look at 20 years of data and discovered millennials are twice as likely than members of older generations to be diagnosed with cancers that have been linked to obesity:
The study says that six of 12 obesity-related cancers — colorectal, uterine, gallbladder, kidney, pancreatic and multiple myeloma — are on the rise, particularly in people under 50, which was also published in The Lancet Public Health.
Worryingly, the risk of colorectal, uterine and gallbladder cancers has also doubled for millennials compared to baby boomers when they were the same age.
Ahmedin Jemal, who authored the paper, says the trend may have major implications in the future and could potentially have an impact on overall mortality rates as millennials grow older:
“Although the absolute risk of these cancers is small in younger adults, these findings have important public health implications.
“The future burden of these cancers could worsen as younger cohorts age, potentially halting or reversing the progress achieved in reducing cancer mortality over the past several decades.”
Jemal noted younger generations seem to be packing on the pounds more than their elders, and while being overweight already comes with plenty of adverse effects, this study might provide you with some extra motivation if you’re looking to slim down.
Let’s just hope the people who claim they’re a year away from finding a cure for cancer make good on their promise.