The rising use of alcohol and tobacco by young Nigerians is alarming health professionals, who warn that these behaviors are increasing the risk of breast cancer, particularly in younger women.
According to cancer care experts at a recent health conference, lifestyle decisions such as consuming too much junk and fatty meals, not exercising, and being exposed to hazardous chemical wastes are also causing an increase in young women developing breast cancer.
This is supported by a recent study called The Current and Future Global Burden of Cancer among Adolescents and Young Adults, which was published in The Lancet Oncology in November 2024. According to the study, roughly 378,000 people aged 15 to 39 died from cancer in 2022 alone, and there were 1.3 million new instances of the disease worldwide. Breast cancer is a serious worry, and the study also showed that young women are more affected than young men.
According to medical professionals, drinking alcohol decreases the body’s ability to fight against dangerous cells and changes hormone levels, which directly increases the risk of developing cancer, especially breast cancer. On the other hand, tobacco usage contains carcinogens that can cause aberrant cell development.
Experts are advocating immediate action because estimates show that the number of young cancer cases worldwide is expected to climb by 12% by 2050. Better lifestyle choices, increased public awareness, and stricter laws to control the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to minors are all stressed.
According to experts, Nigeria may see a spike in avoidable cancer cases among its younger population if it does not act quickly to address its escalating health crisis.
