Study Reveals Significant Increase in Early-Onset Cancer Cases in the US

A new study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has highlighted a concerning trend: an increase in the incidence of several types of cancer among adults under the age of 50. The research, published in Cancer Discovery, analyzed data from 2010 to 2019 and revealed that 14 out of 33 cancer types showed a rise in incidence in at least one younger age group.

Among the cancers that saw significant increases were common ones such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, and uterine cancer. Some of these cancers also showed higher incidence rates in older age groups.

Lead investigator Meredith Shiels from the NIH’s National Cancer Institute noted, "This study provides a starting point for understanding which cancers are increasing among individuals under age 50." She further explained that the reasons for these increases are likely to vary by cancer type and may involve factors such as rising cancer risk factors among younger people, changes in cancer screening practices, improvements in cancer detection technology, and updates in cancer diagnoses and coding.

The research team analyzed data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and national mortality records, examining cancer incidence from 2010 to 2019 and mortality trends through 2022. Their findings showed that, while 14 cancer types rose in early-onset age groups, 19 other types of cancer, including lung and prostate cancers, saw a decline. As a result, the overall cancer incidence and mortality rates remained stable.

Female breast cancer showed the largest increase in younger populations, with approximately 4,800 additional cases diagnosed in 2019 compared to expected rates from 2010. Other cancers, such as colorectal, kidney, uterine, and pancreatic cancers, also contributed significantly to the increase in early-onset cancer cases, accounting for over 80% of the rise in 2019.

Researchers speculated that factors like the growing prevalence of obesity may be contributing to the increase in cancer rates among younger adults. Additionally, the study suggests that advancements in imaging technologies, changes in screening guidelines, and better surveillance of high-risk individuals may also explain the rise in early diagnoses.

While the causes are still being studied, the findings underscore the importance of monitoring cancer trends and adapting screening and prevention strategies to address this worrying shift in cancer incidence among younger populations.