Key facts
- Incidence of 14 cancer types increased in people under 50 in the U.S. from 2010-2019.
- Breast and colorectal cancers were among those with increased incidence in both younger and older age groups.
- Overall cancer death rates did not increase in younger age groups.
- Colorectal and uterine cancer death rates showed concerning increases at younger ages.
- Female breast cancer had approximately 4,800 additional cases in 2019 compared to 2010 rates.
- Obesity and changes in screening guidelines are speculated as potential contributing factors.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found a concerning rise in the incidence of certain cancer types among adults under 50 in the United States. The study, which analyzed cancer statistics from 2010 through 2019, revealed that 14 different cancer types increased in people under the age of 50.
While the overall cancer death rate did not increase in younger age groups, the study noted concerning upticks in deaths related to colorectal and uterine cancers at younger ages. Nine of the cancer types that increased in younger individuals also saw an increase in some older age groups, including common cancers like breast and colorectal cancer. However, the incidence of 19 other cancer types, such as lung and prostate cancer, decreased among those under 50.
The largest absolute increases in additional early-onset cancer cases in 2019 were observed for female breast cancer, with approximately 4,800 more cases compared to 2010 rates. Colorectal cancer followed with about 2,100 additional cases, kidney cancer with 1,800, uterine cancer with 1,200, and pancreatic cancer with 500. These four types accounted for over 80% of the additional early-onset cancers diagnosed in 2019.
Lead investigator Meredith Shiels, Ph.D., of NIH’s National Cancer Institute, stated that the causes of these increases are likely cancer-specific and may include factors such as rising obesity rates becoming more prevalent at younger ages, changes in cancer screening practices, advancements in diagnostic imaging, and updates in clinical diagnosis or coding of cancers. Future studies are planned to examine these trends across different demographics and geographies.