Appendix cancer symptoms to look out for as 'tip of the iceberg' warning is issued to millennials
Experts have issued a warning about appendix cancer, which is seeing more and more Millennials develop the disease.
The cancer, which is a rare type, is apparently on the rise in two age groups: between 29 and 60.
As per Annals of Internal Medicine study, it typically targets those within the Gen X generation, with cases tripling.
However, cases seen in Millennials have quadrupled - appendix cancer.
What is appendix cancer?
The organ is usually forgotten about until you get appendicitis, but cancer in the area has seen a stark rise.
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The appendix, which is a small portion of your digestive system, is sat on the lower right side of your abdomen.
When cancer forms there, it can spread to other areas and a tumour can lead to nasty results.
What are the symptoms?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, ‘appendix cancer develops when healthy cells in your appendix mutate and grow out of control, forming a tumor’ and common symptoms of appendix cancer includes: appendicitis, bloating, fluid buildup in your abdomen, increase in waist size, pain in your abdomen or pelvis, changes in bowel habits, nausea and vomiting, and feeling full soon after you start eating.
Most appendix cancers are appendiceal adenocarcinoma, as per the institution.
It explains: “Adenocarcinoma cancers start in the glandular tissue that lines your organs.”
However, a lot of the symptoms overlap with irritable bowel syndrome and other non-life-threatening digestive issues.
So, people will find out if they are screened, which are not offered out readily for anyone who asks.
For Andreana Holowatyj, assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the study, as per National Geographic, there needs to be more awareness of the cancer type.
She said: "I think it's really important for providers and general practitioners to be mindful of this increase [in appendix cancer cases], particularly in younger patients, and when they see a young patient presenting with these symptoms, work to rule it out.
"Knowledge and education of this rare disease is a challenge overall."
Why is it on the rise?
As per the 2025 study, we are only at the 'tip of the iceberg' of understanding what is driving the growth in this once rare cancer.
Holowatyj explained: "We estimate about 3,000 new cases of appendix cancer are diagnosed every year."
She said this is in contrast to breast cancer numbers, which the National Cancer Institute estimated to be of around 320,000 new cases just this year.
She also said it’s important to know what’s driving the rise.
"We’re just at the tip of the iceberg for this disease," she explained.
"We’re working to begin to unpack [the risk factors] because these rising trends will be important to understanding what’s driving the increase in this disease."
According to doctors, there is no official reason as to why it’s increasing within the two generations, but it could be down to ultra-processed foods, similar to the rise in colon and rectal cancer cases.
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Topics: Cancer, Health, News, Advice, Food and Drink
Britt Jones