A new study has unveiled that second cancers are on rise in America. Second cancer means a different tissue type or a different site. Nearly one in five new cases in the US reports of second cancer, which does not include recurrence or spread of the original cancer.

The researchers have found that around 19% of cancers in America are second or more cases. With passage of time, the percentage has increased. In the 1970s, there were only 9% of such cases. But over the time, the number of first cancers has increased 70% and second cancers have rose 300%.

But if another side of the story is considered then it can be said that people are living longer enough to get the disease again. The researchers said that with increase in age, the risk of cancer increases.

Doctors said that second cancers can happen due to the same gene mutation or risk factors like smoking. It has also been found that treatment taken for survival at the first time detection like radiation can also increase the risk of a new cancer that forms later in life.

As per study researchers, second cancer is more traumatizing than the first. Julia Rowland, director of the federal Office of Cancer Survivorship, said, “The first time you're diagnosed, it's fear of the unknown. When you have your next diagnosis, it's fear of the known”.