Cancer rates rising faster among younger people, study finds

Cancer rates are climbing more steeply among younger adults than in older age groups, according to a new international analysis. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) examined data from England, the United States, and the Netherlands, and identified significant increases in early onset cancers—those diagnosed in people under 50. In England, seven cancer types showed sharp rises, while the US had five and the Netherlands four.

Stark numbers across three countries

In England, prostate cancer incidence among men under 50 quadrupled from 1 per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2023. Bowel cancer rates in the same age group more than doubled, rising from 3.9 to 8.4 per 100,000. Uterine and kidney cancers also doubled, reaching 3.9 and 3 per 100,000 respectively. Breast cancer among under-50s increased from 42 to 47.5 per 100,000, and pancreatic and liver cancers also became more common.

Across the Atlantic, the US saw kidney cancer incidence among under-50s more than double from 2.5 per 100,000 in 2000 to 5.3 in 2023. Bowel, uterine, and pancreatic cancers all rose by more than 50%, and breast cancer by about 20%. The Netherlands recorded significant increases in early onset bowel, kidney, liver, and cervical cancers. Yet lung cancer rates fell in all three countries, reflecting continued declines in smoking. Mark Lawler, professor of digital health and chair in translational cancer genomics at Queen’s University Belfast, called the trend “a ticking timebomb that we need to diffuse as quickly as possible, otherwise the numbers will undoubtedly continue to grow.” He said the overall pattern was particularly worrying against a backdrop of lifestyle factors contributing to thousands of deaths.

Obesity, diet, and awareness likely factors

The WCRF pointed to growing obesity levels, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, and environmental exposures such as pollutants, chemicals, plastics, and water and air pollution as possible contributors. About 40% of cancers are linked to these modifiable risks. Greater awareness of cancer symptoms also means people are more likely to be diagnosed earlier, but that doesn’t explain the whole story.

Dr Giota Mitrou, executive director of research and policy at WCRF, said: “Behind 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.” Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu, research translation manager at WCRF, added that while the reasons aren’t fully understood, risk factors like overweight and obesity, diet, alcohol, and smoking likely play a role. She noted that increased diagnosis doesn’t account for everything, and more research is needed.

Cancer among under-50s remains uncommon; the median age at diagnosis is above 60. But the pace of increase in early onset cases is greater than in other age groups. King’s College London has announced a new trial of 250,000 people, funded by Cancer Research UK, to investigate the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults. The study will seek to clarify the balance between worsening risk factors and better detection.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the findings underline why early diagnosis is at the heart of the national cancer plan. They cited investment in new technologies to speed up diagnosis, expanded genetic testing, and support for research into causes and who may be most at risk. The ambition is for three-quarters of people diagnosed by 2035 to be cancer-free or living well with cancer, saving 320,000 lives. A newly announced national cancer board includes a specific representative for children and young people.