Why Are Cancer Rates Rising Among Younger People?
- New research shows global cancer cases among people younger than 50 have increased by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019. Some of the cancers with the highest incidence rates include breast, lung, stomach, and colon.
- The researchers pointed to higher obesity rates, reduced physical activity, a Westernized diet, and environmental pollution as contributing factors to the cancer rate increase.
- More screenings and early detection are also contributing factors to the higher cancer rates among younger generations.
- In recent years, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that the colorectal cancer screening age be lowered to 45; the previous recommended age was 50. The USPSTF also lowered the recommended age to begin breast cancer screening to 40. The previous guidance issued in 2016 was age 50.
- Although research suggests more young people are screening which can help catch cancer in earlier stages, there exists the risk of overdiagnosis which can take an emotional, physical, and financial toll on patients.
Younger generations are facing cancer diagnoses more frequently worldwide according to new research that studied cancer incidence among people younger than 50. Reasons for the rise in cancer rates include limited exercise to poor diet, but the added research helps put the growing number of cancer diagnoses from seemingly young and healthy people into greater perspective.
View this post on InstagramRead More“Love and Marriage” reality star Kimmi Scott is among this growing group of people facing a cancer diagnosis while young. She’s battling one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer at just 34 years old.A new research study published in BMJ Oncology says cancer cases among people younger than 50 have increased nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019.
“It took me a few days to wrap my head around it,” Scott told People Magazine after she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancer means that your cancer is not being fueled by any of the three main types of receptors estrogen, progesterone, and the HER2 protein. Because of this, the cancer won’t respond to certain targeted therapies including hormone therapy or HER2-targeted agents like Herceptin. Chemotherapy is typically the treatment and there are several options.
WATCH: Study explores screening for triple-negative breast cancer.
Scott’s treatment started shortly after her diagnosis. She began 20 weeks of very aggressive chemotherapy that concluded in December 2022.
Scott was initially reluctant to bring her cancer journey onto the reality TV show, but her husband encouraged her to do so. In the end, she’s glad she did because she believes she’s able to encourage other women battling breast cancer.
“I would’ve never thought that I would’ve been given some platform to help the next woman. The amount of people that have told me that my situation has inspired them to actually go get a mammogram is incredible,” Scott said.
View this post on Instagram
Scott’s cancer journey does more than motivate other women to stay current with regular breast cancer screenings. Her experience also highlights a growing number of young people being diagnosed with cancer.
What’s Causing More Young People Across the Globe to Be Impacted by Cancer?
The research study examined the global incidence of early-onset cancer which means people younger than age 50 are diagnosed with cancer.
“Global incidence of early-onset cancer increased by 79.1% and the number of early-onset cancer deaths increased by 27.7% between 1990 and 2019.”
Several different types of cancer saw a significant increase in diagnoses among young people. These include breast, tracheal, bronchus, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancers which had the highest number of mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY). “DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one year of full health” according to the World Health Organization.
Nasopharyngeal (throat) and prostate cancer showed the “fastest increasing trend” meanwhile liver cancer among young people saw the “sharpest decrease.”
People between the ages of 40 to 49 were specifically affected by early-onset cancer.
Researchers believe young people leading a healthier lifestyle could reduce early-onset cancer risk. They also recommend people stay current on screenings to help reduce the risk of early-onset cancer.
The researchers pointed to higher obesity rates, reduced physical activity, a westernized diet, and environmental pollution have “affected the incidence of early-onset cancer.”
More on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- ‘It’s A Game Changer’: FDA Approves Keytruda, Chemo Combo To Treat Aggressive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Chemo Plus Immunotherapy for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatments To Consider
- New Hope for Patients with Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Antibody Drug Conjugate Doubles Survival Time for Some Patients
- New Study Identifies Genes Linked to Increased Risk for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Treating Early Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
How Can We Reverse This Concerning Trend?
“Research is needed at every level of cancer science: basic, translational, clinical, population, and implementation science, in order to effect behavioral and policy changes that might mitigate the complex and converging risk factors that are driving this disturbing trend,” Dr. Steve Patierno, a Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, told SurvivorNet.
“The steady rise in young-onset cancer among multiple tumor types is highly concerning and will significantly impact people and society in significant ways if not reversed. Research into the underlying cause of this rising trend is of utmost importance for prevention, early detection, and treatment,” Dr. Kimmie Ng, Associate Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told SurvivorNet
WATCH: Colon cancer screening.
Screenings and early detection, researchers note, are contributing factors to the increase in cancer rates among younger people. In recent years, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that the colorectal cancer screening age be lowered to 45; the previous recommended age was 50.
The USPSTF also lowered the recommended age to begin breast cancer screening to 40. The previous guidance issued in 2016 was age 50.
WATCH: Screening for breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests women should begin annual mammogram screenings for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer.
The ACS also advises:
- Women aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year
- Women aged 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year
- Women aged 55 and older could also choose to continue yearly mammograms
Although research suggests more young people are screening which can help catch cancer development in earlier stages, there exists the risk of overdiagnosis.
Younger women, for example, have been found to have more false positive events and biopsies leading to anxiety, when compared to older women.
Overall, early screenings may take a toll on the emotional, physical, psychological, and financial aspects of a person but Dr. Paul Doria-Rose, Ph.D., chief of NCI’s Healthcare Assessment Research Branch, tells the National Cancer Institute that “more research is needed to learn how frequently some screening harms happen.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
