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Cancer Cases Rise Among Younger Adults Across Several Countries
Cancer is still much more common in older people, but some cancers are being found more often in younger adults.
The article reports increases in several types of cancer in England, the United States, and the Netherlands.
For example, bowel cancer rates among younger people rose in England.
Lung cancer rates among people under 50 went down in all three countries.
Researchers say some cancer risks can be changed, including through changes related to diet, smoking, alcohol, and obesity.
But better detection may also affect how many cases are found.
The WCRF says changes in diagnosis do not explain the whole increase in early-onset cancers.
A large study in the United Kingdom will investigate the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults.
In England, prostate cancer among men under 50 rose from 1 to 3.6 cases per 100,000 between 2001 and 2023; bowel cancer increased from 3.9 to 8.4.
In England, early-onset uterine and kidney cancers doubled, while breast, pancreatic, and liver cancers also rose.
In the United States, kidney cancer among people under 50 more than doubled between 2000 and 2023; bowel, uterine, and pancreatic cancers rose by more than 50%.
Researchers also found increases in early-onset bowel, kidney, liver, and cervical cancers in the Netherlands, while lung cancer rates among under-50s declined in all three countries.
The WCRF says about 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risks; a planned King’s College London trial of 250,000 people will examine the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults.
- Who
- People under 50 in England, the United States, and the Netherlands; researchers studying early-onset cancers.
- What
- Rates of several cancers among younger people have increased, while lung cancer rates declined.
- Where
- England, the United States, and the Netherlands.
- When
- Reported comparisons include 2000–2023 in the United States and 2001–2023 in England.
- Why
- The causes are being investigated; the article cites modifiable risk factors and better detection as possible contributors.
Risk-factor contribution
Detection contribution
What may explain rising early-onset cases
Risk-factor contribution
The article links the trend to possible worsening risk factors, including poor diet, smoking, alcohol, and obesity; the WCRF says around 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risks.
Detection contribution
Better detection may contribute to increased diagnoses. The planned trial will examine the balance between worsening risk factors and better detection; the WCRF says diagnostic changes do not explain the entire rise.
Key facts
- England prostate cancer
- Among men under 50, rose from 1 to 3.6 cases per 100,000 between 2001 and 2023.
- England bowel cancer
- Among people under 50, rose from 3.9 to 8.4 cases per 100,000 between 2001 and 2023.
- US kidney cancer
- Among people under 50, rose from 2.5 cases per 100,000 in 2000 to 5.3 in 2023.
- Lung cancer
- Rates among people under 50 declined in England, the United States, and the Netherlands.
- Modifiable risks
- The WCRF says around 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risks.
- Planned trial
- A King’s College London trial involving 250,000 people will investigate the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults.
- Trial funder
- Cancer Research UK.
Sources
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