Certain types of cancer are becoming increasingly common in people under 50, according to new research. These include breast, colon, kidney and uterine cancer.
Many types of cancer are on the rise in people under the age of 50 and the reasons remain unclear, according to a new study.
Researchers say more than two million cases of early-onset cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. between 2010 and 2019.
The largest increases in early-onset cancers were found in female breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers.
But a significant rise in other types, including pancreatic, stomach and melanoma skin cancer, was also observed in younger patients.
These findings come from an analysis of government cancer data conducted by age group. Early-onset groups included patients 15-29, 30-39 and 40-49.
Overall, the researchers found significantly increasing rates for 14 types of cancer in at least one early-onset age group. Nine of these cancers also increased in at least one older age group.
The authors say while rates of certain early-onset cancers have increased in the U.S. in recent years, total cancer mortality has not.
The lead author says the question why is still unanswered, but this new study offers some clues.
She says these findings suggest “there may be risk factors that impact cancer development across ages or advances in screening or imaging technologies that allow cancers to be detected more frequently than before.”
Source: Cancer Discovery
Author Affiliations: National Cancer Institute
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