The analysis, conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) using English, US and Dutch cancer data, identified “significant increases” in early-onset cancers for seven cancer types in England, five in the US and four in the Netherlands. Although cancer has been increasing across all age groups globally, the rate of rise in early-onset cases is greater than in other age groups.
In England, incidence rates of prostate cancer among men under 50 jumped from one per 100,000 people in 2001 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2023. Over the same period, bowel cancer rates among the under-50s leapt from 3.9 to 8.4 per 100,000, while early-onset uterine and kidney cancers doubled to 3.9 and 3 per 100,000 respectively. Breast cancer rates among the under-50s also increased, from 42 to 47.5 per 100,000, and there were increases in early-onset pancreatic and liver cancers.
In the US, analysis of data since 2000 found that among patients under 50, kidney cancer rates more than doubled from 2.5 to 5.3 per 100,000, while bowel, uterine and pancreatic cancers increased by more than 50% and breast cancer by about 20%. For the Netherlands, researchers found significant increases in early-onset bowel, kidney, liver and cervical cancers.
In contrast, rates of lung cancer among the under-50s declined in all three countries, reflecting continuing declines in smoking.
Experts said the figures reflected the growing global obesity epidemic, poor diets and insufficient exercise, as well as growing awareness and earlier diagnosis. Cancer among the under-50s remains uncommon, with the median age at diagnosis above 60, but the trend is worrying. Mark Lawler, professor of digital health at Queen’s University Belfast, called the problem “a ticking timebomb that we need to diffuse as quickly as possible”. Dr Giota Mitrou, executive director of research and policy at WCRF, said the trajectory was “concerning” and that changing patterns among younger generations needed to be treated as a serious research and cancer prevention priority.