Since the 1990s, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer in women under 25 has increased by up to 200%.
The disease has a 5% five-year survival rate. Over the same period, overall cases have grown by approximately 17%, with rising obesity rates thought to be the cause of the trend.
However, the specific increase in young women is puzzling to oncologists, as no comparable spike in men of the same age has been observed.
Renowned oncologist Professor Karol Sikora, who has over 40 years of experience, told MailOnline that there are hypotheses regarding the modern diet.
However, he continued, scientists still "don't know" what's causing the "frightening" trend, particularly in younger women.
"It is most likely related to changes in diet over the past 20 years," he stated.
Thankfully, pancreatic cancer rarely strikes young people, but it is still concerning. It demonstrates that we just do not have all of the answers.
He went on to say that studies from the US showed that the disease was spreading across the Atlantic, thus Britain was not alone in this tendency and that more investigation was required to determine the cause.
Further investigation was required to determine the reason for the rise in pancreatic cancer cases in the UK, according to Nicola Smith, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK.
We have seen a slight increase in the number of young women receiving a diagnosis, and pancreatic cancer cases are increasing in the UK,' she said.
"More investigation is still required to completely comprehend the reasons behind this."
Pancreatic cancer, known as the "silent killer" because of its mild signs, often only detected in its advanced stages, claims the lives of roughly 10,000 Britons annually.
In the UK, this translates to one death every hour.
The illness has gained attention because to many high-profile diagnoses in the last 12 months.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, 75, a former manager of England, disclosed earlier this year that he is passing away from pancreatic cancer.
Meanwhile, the sickness that claimed The Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke's life was made public in May of last year.
Steve Jobs, the renowned creator of Apple, and renowned actors Patrick Swayze and Alan Rickman are among the other well-known fatalities.
The majority of British people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are in their 80s, and like other malignancies, the chance of developing the illness rises with age.
Additionally recognised risk factors for the illness are obesity and smoking.
According to data from Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the incidence of pancreatic cancer has increased by 17% during the early 1990s.
This indicates that approximately 17 persons out of every 100,000 may contract the illness within a single year.
Thirty years ago, there were just 14 persons annually.
According to a MailOnline investigation, the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer among young women, defined as those who are children and up to 24 years old, has increased by 208% throughout the same period.
Women between the ages of 25 and 49 saw a 34% increase in disease rates, which is almost twice as high as the general population.
The base numbers are still low, which is comforting. For instance, the disease will affect no more than 1.5 women of that age for every 100,000 each year.
The rates of pancreatic cancer among very young men (0–24) did not grow at all, and in males 25–49, the rise was only 17%, in accordance with the population-wide average.
While researchers have linked past tobacco use to an increase in lung cancer cases, there is no "smoking gun" to explain the rise in pancreatic cancer cases.
According to data, only a sixth of adult British citizens were obese ten years ago, but now 25% of them are. In the 1990s, rates dropped much further.
Ms. Smith advised anyone exhibiting symptoms that could indicate pancreatic cancer to get in touch with their doctor.
You are the expert on your body, so if you see anything that doesn't seem normal or isn't going away, it's crucial to see your doctor,' she advised.
Most likely, it won't be cancer. However, the likelihood of a favourable outcome from therapy increases if it is detected early.
Although elderly individuals have a higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer, younger populations are also susceptible, according to Anna Jewell, director of support, research, and influence at the nonprofit organisation Pancreatic Cancer UK.
"We need to make sure that everyone, at all ages, has quick access to diagnosis and treatment in order to increase survival rates from pancreatic cancer," the speaker stated.
According to studies, women and Black individuals are more likely to get the condition, but further investigation is still necessary to determine why.
The term "the silent killer" for pancreatic cancer, according to Ms. Jewell, is misleading because there are plenty of things that can be done to increase the disease's identification and survivability provided it receives the attention it deserves.
According to her, pancreatic cancer has been neglected for many years, garnering only 3% of the UK cancer research budget and frequently being left out of national cancer policies and plans.
That's why pancreatic cancer is still the deadliest common malignancy and its survival rate has hardly improved in decades.
We are aware that everything can be changed with the correct amount of consistent funding. Leukaemia survival rates have increased fourfold as a result of large and ongoing research funding.
According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, in order to buck the current trend and achieve breakthroughs in early diagnosis and novel treatments, an annual investment of £35 million is required in pancreatic cancer research.
Part of the digestive system, the pancreas is shaped like a tadpole and is essential for controlling hormones.
It is roughly 25 centimetres long and situated directly beneath the stomach.
As part of its digestive function, it aids in the production of enzymes that enable the body to convert food into the nutrients it needs.
It is also essential for the synthesis of the hormones that regulate the body's blood sugar levels.
These roles contribute to the belief held by some experts that dietary modifications in the modern era may be the cause of the rising incidence of pancreatic cancer.
Jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and eye whites, along with itchy skin and darker urine, are possible signs of pancreatic cancer.
Additional indicators include be an appetite decrease, inadvertent weight loss, constipation, or bloating.
 Even if the symptoms are not likely to be cancerous, it is nevertheless advisable to have a general practitioner check them out as soon as possible, particularly if they have persisted for more than four weeks.
Anti-vax ideas claiming an increase in cancer cases is caused by the Covid vaccine have not been validated.
Experts such as Professor Sikora point out that data demonstrating increases similar to the one seen for pancreatic cancer only extends to 2018, which was years before the vaccinations were developed.
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