Health IQ: Why cancer cases are rising in people under 50; do expired COVID rapid tests work?

Cancer cases on the rise in young people

An alarming rise in global cancer cases among people under the age of 50 is raising concerns among experts about the evolving landscape of the disease, according to a new study.

Published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Oncology, the study found that in 2019, there were 3.26 million new cases of early-onset cancers, affecting individuals aged 15 to 49 years. This marked a substantial 79 per cent increase compared with the numbers recorded in 1990.

Early-onset breast, tracheal, bronchus and lung, stomach and colorectal cancers had the highest mortality in 2019, the study found.

If this trend continues, the researchers predict the global number of incidences and deaths of early-onset cancer will increase by 31 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, in 2030.

“Cancers historically perceived to be more common in older age groups are now being diagnosed in younger adults, including colorectal, breast, oesophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancers, among others,” said Dr. Ashleigh Hamilton, a clinical lecturer at the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast, U.K., in an editorial piece on the study. She was not involved in the research.

“It is important to educate both the public and healthcare professionals regarding the possibility of certain cancers in younger adults to allow earlier diagnosis, which in turn improves outcomes.”

Read more about why the researchers believe the spike in cancer is happening, and whether it’s taking place in Canada too.

COVID-19 rapid tests: expiry dates and new variants

After a summer lull in COVID-19 cases in Canada, there may be a few rapid antigen tests collecting dust in your house. But experts say to check the expiry date, as they may still be useful heading into the fall and winter flu season.

“I still see a value in the tests, because SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, sheds for a longer time than we tend to see with some the other respiratory infections,” explained Dr. Gerald Evans, infectious disease specialist at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.

In terms of expiry dates, he stressed the importance of following Health Canada and the manufacturer’s recommendations. There is a shelf life to rapid tests as they become less sensitive over time and accuracy becomes questionable, Evans warned.

He emphasized that if you test yourself and get a positive result, it is highly likely that it’s correct and you have COVID-19. However, he cautioned people to “be careful with the negative tests because they might be a bit unreliable.”

There is also a concern about whether or not the rapid antigen tests will detect the new Omicron subvariants circulating the country.

Read more about what experts are saying about rapid tests, their efficacy in detecting COVID-19 variants, and where to access them.

— THE TOPIC —

Is berberine really ‘nature’s Ozempic’?

— WHAT EXPERTS ARE SAYING —

An over-the-counter dietary supplement called berberine is gaining traction on social media, where it’s being dubbed “nature’s Ozempic.”

But health experts are warning that the supplement, which is derived naturally from plants of the genus Berberis, not only is a “scam,” but can also be dangerous to take.

Searching through videos tagged #berberine on TikTok produces a slew of glowing recommendations about the supplement. Users providing weekly updates about their weight loss journey gush about its effectiveness.

However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to back this up, warned Dr. Sean Wharton, an internal medicine physician and weight management specialist.

For example, most of the studies on the supplement were conducted on mice or had sample sizes of fewer than 100 people.

Taking berberine consistently, and in a concentrated form, may also cause stomach upset and other issues, Wharton said.

Because of the supplement’s potential harm, Wharton argued the Canadian government should be proactive about countering unfounded health claims that pick up steam online.

“There should be some responsibility at the government level, when this type of thing happens, to legislate or to educate or to get something out there, so that the regular population isn’t duped,” Wharton said.