Cancer rates rising more quickly among younger people, international study finds
A new international study indicates a sharp rise in early-onset cancer cases among people under 50, particularly in prostate, bowel, and kidney cancers. Experts attribute this trend to lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Why it matters
The findings suggest a significant public health shift that could impact long-term healthcare systems and preventative medicine strategies.
Cases of many types of cancer have risen sharply among younger people, major new research has found, prompting warnings that lifestyle choices are costing thousands of lives each year.
Analysis of English, US and Dutch cancer data by World Cancer Research Fund identified “significant increases” in early onset cancers for seven cancer types in England, five types in the US and four in the Netherlands.
Although cancer has been increasing across all age groups globally, the rate rise in early onset cases is greater than other ages.
Experts said the figures reflected the growing global obesity epidemic, poor diets and insufficient exercise, as well as growing awareness of cancer and earlier diagnosis.
Cancer among the under 50s is still uncommon, with the median age at diagnosis above 60, but the trend is worrying, the authors noted.
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