Although cancer has been increasing across all age groups globally, the rate rise in early onset cases is greater than other ages<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cancer among the under 50s is still uncommon, with the median age at diagnosis above 60, but the trend is worrying, the authors noted.<\/p>\n Mark Lawler, professor of digital health and the chair in translational cancer genomics at Queen\u2019s University Belfast, called the problem \u201ca ticking timebomb that we need to diffuse as quickly as possible, otherwise the numbers will undoubtedly continue to grow\u201d.<\/p>\n He went on: \u201cThe overall trend is also particularly worrying as it comes on the backdrop of lifestyle factors contributing to thousands of deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n In England, of the 12 tumour types studied, incidence rates of prostate cancer among men under 50 jumped from one in every 100,000 people in 2001 to 3.6 in every 100,000 in 2023. Over the same period, rates of bowel cancer among the under 50s leapt from 3.9 in 100,000 people in 2001 to 8.4 in 100,000 in 2023, while early onset uterine and kidney cancers also doubled to 3.9 and 3 per 100,000 people respectively.<\/p>\n The rate of breast cancer among the under 50s increased, albeit less sharply, from 42 to 47.5 per 100,000 in 2023, while there were also increases in the incidence of early onset pancreatic and liver cancers.<\/p>\n In the US, analysis of official data since 2000 found that among patients under 50, incidence rates of kidney cancer more than doubled from 2.5 in 100,000 people in 2000 to 5.3 in 2023, while bowel, uterine and pancreatic cancers all increased by more than 50% and breast cancer by about 20%.<\/p>\n For the Netherlands, the researchers found significant increases in early onset bowel, kidney, liver and cervical cancers.<\/p>\n In contrast, rates of lung cancer among the under 50s declined in all three countries, reflecting continuing declines in smoking in those countries.<\/p>\n Dr Giota Mitrou, the executive director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), called the trajectory \u201cconcerning\u201d, and added: \u201cBehind every figure is a person facing cancer earlier than they, their family and often their doctor would expect. While cancer is still much more common in older adults, these changing patterns among younger generations need to be treated as a serious research and cancer prevention priority.\u201d<\/p>\n WCRF said risk factors such as growing obesity levels, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol consumption<\/a>, smoking and environmental exposures (such as pollutants, chemicals, plastics, water and air pollution) could be contributing to the trend. About 40% of cancers are linked to these kinds of modifiable risks. However, greater awareness of cancer symptoms also means that people are more likely to be diagnosed earlier.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter |Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to First Edition<\/p>\n Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we don\u2019t completely understand why more cancers are occurring in people under 50 years of age, it is likely that risk factors related to cancer \u2013 for example, overweight and obesity, diet, alcohol, consumption and smoking \u2013 play a role,\u201d said Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu, research translation manager at WCRF.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the same time, the public are increasingly aware of the risk factors relating to cancer and the signs and symptoms of the disease to look out for, so are more likely to seek out healthcare when they experience them.\u201d<\/p>\n While more cancers are being diagnosed at an earlier stage, \u201cincreased diagnosis does not explain the whole story and more research is needed to understand early-onset cancers\u201d she added.<\/p>\n King\u2019s College London has announced a new trial of 250,000 people<\/a>, funded by Cancer Research UK, to investigate the increase in bowel cancer cases among younger adults.<\/p>\n The study will seek a clearer understanding of the balance between worsening risk factors and better detection in the rise.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791267011_590_1000.jpg\")
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