Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Cancer Rates Rise Sharply Among Younger Adults in England
An analysis looked at cancer rates among people younger than 50 in England.
It found that rates increased for seven kinds of cancer.
Prostate cancer rose from about one case per 100,000 people in 2001 to 3.6 in 2023.
Bowel cancer went from 3.9 to 8.4 cases per 100,000.
Breast cancer among women increased from 42 to 47.5 cases per 100,000.
Womb cancer among women rose from 1.8 to 3.9 cases per 100,000.
The analysis also reported increases in kidney, liver and pancreatic cancers.
The article does not say what caused these changes.
An analysis found increases in seven cancer types among people under 50 in England.
Prostate cancer rates rose 260%, from about 1 case per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.6 in 2023.
Bowel cancer rates increased 115%, from 3.9 to 8.4 cases per 100,000.
Among women, breast cancer rose 13%, from 42 to 47.5 cases per 100,000, and womb cancer rose 117%, from 1.8 to 3.9.
The analysis also reported increases in kidney cancer (100%), liver cancer (60%) and pancreatic cancer (25%).
- Who
- People under 50 in England; the figures for breast and womb cancer refer to women.
- What
- An analysis found rising rates for seven cancer types.
- When
- The comparison includes data from 2001 and 2023.
- Where
- England
- Age group
- People under 50
- Location
- England
- Period cited
- 2001 to 2023
- Cancer types with increases
- Prostate, bowel, kidney, womb, breast, liver and pancreatic cancer
- Largest reported percentage increase
- Prostate cancer, up 260%
- Prostate rate
- About 1 case per 100,000 in 2001; 3.6 in 2023
- Bowel cancer rate
- 3.9 cases per 100,000 in 2001; 8.4 in 2023