Oncologist reveals little-known cancer is surging in young people for one concerning reason

Experts have revealed that a specific cancer is on the rise in young people, and one lifestyle change could help improve the chances of avoiding it.

It is well known that the risk of developing certain cancers rises with age, with most cases of the disease found in over 50s.

However, doctors are now warning that one specific cancer is on the rise in young people, after they found a concerning rise of early onset cases.

Oncologists are warning of the dangers. (Getty Stock Images)

In fact, data from Cancer Research UK shows that there has been an 84% rise in diagnosis of the cancer among Brits aged 24-49 - the largest rise of any age group.

But oncologists believe that there could be one key reason why we're seeing such a sizeable rise in cases.

Gallbladder cancer is the disease in question.

Actual numbers of diagnosis each year remain small in comparison to other cancers - on average there are 35 new cases among the 25 to 49s per year - however, the data is still concerning, as almost twice as many young adults get the disease now as they did in 90s.

Experts are pinning the reason for the rise on the modern diet, having seen a significant rise in the amount of ultra-processed foods being consumed by the younger generation.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Professor Karol Sikora said that a combination of causes such as pollution, alcohol, junk food and increasingly stressful lives, could all be contributing factors.

There have been a significant rise in cases among young people. (Getty Stock Images)

He said: "It's just impossible to measure...it's a complex series of things that can affect it."

However, one expert noted that it is still a reasonably low amount of young people suffering from the condition.

Katrina Brown, senior cancer intelligence manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Globally and in the UK, we’re seeing an increase in rates of early onset cancers, diagnosed in people aged 25-49.

"While the increase may look big for some cancer types, it's important to remember that the actual change in cases is relatively small.

"Cancer is still uncommon in this age group, and 90 percent of UK cancer cases are in people aged 50 and over."

The gallbladder is a small organ located next to the liver, and is responsible for storing bile - a substance used to break down any fat we consume.

On the whole including every age group, there a roughly 1000 cases of gallbladder cancer diagnosed each year in the UK.