Cancer rates rising sharply among younger adults in England, international research finds

An international analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund reveals a sharp rise in early-onset cancers among adults under 50 in England, the US, and the Netherlands. In England, prostate cancer diagnoses in young men quadrupled between 2001 and 2023, while bowel, kidney, and womb cancers more than doubled. Experts warn that obesity, poor diet, and processed meats are key drivers, though increased testing also plays a role. In response, King's College London has launched the Prospect-UK trial seeking 250,000 volunteers to investigate these lifestyle links.

International trends in early-onset cancers

• ▪An analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund identified significant increases in early-onset cancer diagnoses for seven cancer types in England, five in the United States, and four in the Netherlands.
• ▪In contrast to other cancers, lung cancer rates among people under 50 declined in England, the United States, and the Netherlands, reflecting continuing declines in smoking.

Rising rates of early-onset cancers in England

• ▪In England, early-onset bowel cancer rates among people under 50 rose from 3.9 per 100,000 in 2001 to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2023, with annual cases increasing from 1,289 to 2,989.
• ▪In England, early-onset womb cancer rates among women under 50 increased from 1.8 per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.9 per 100,000 in 2023, with annual cases rising from 335 to 698.

Prostate cancer statistics and screening

• ▪The UK National Screening Committee recently recommended prostate cancer screening only for approximately 1,500 men aged 45 to 61 who carry specific genetic mutations and have a relevant family history.
• ▪Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Britain, causing approximately 12,000 deaths annually from around 63,000 diagnosed cases.
• ▪In England, prostate cancer diagnoses among men under 50 quadrupled from one per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2023, with annual cases rising from 158 to 640.

Expert warnings on rising early-onset cancers

• ▪Professor Mark Lawler of Queen's University Belfast described the rise in early-onset cancers as a ticking timebomb that must be defused quickly to prevent numbers from continuing to grow.
• ▪Dr. Giota Mitrou of the World Cancer Research Fund warned that the rising trajectory of early-onset cancers is concerning and must be treated as a serious research and prevention priority.

Risk factors linked to cancer

• ▪The World Cancer Research Fund stated that modifiable risk factors, including obesity, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, and environmental pollutants, are linked to about 40% of cancers.
• ▪Professor Roger Kirby stated that processed meats containing nitrates and nitrites, such as bacon, sausages, and burgers, are linked to an increased risk of bowel and prostate cancers.

Bowel cancer statistics and research

• ▪Cancer Research UK data shows that approximately 48,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK annually, including about 2,900 adults aged 25 to 49.
• ▪King's College London and health science company Zoe launched the Prospect-UK trial to track 250,000 UK volunteers over time to study how diet and lifestyle affect early-onset bowel cancer risk.

Government cancer strategy

• ▪The UK Department of Health and Social Care stated that its newly announced national cancer board has a specific representative for children and young people.
• ▪The UK Department of Health and Social Care stated that its national cancer plan aims for three-quarters of diagnosed patients to be cancer-free or living well by 2035.

Debatable claims

• ▪The UK should implement a national prostate cancer screening programme
• ▪Worsening lifestyle factors are the primary driver of rising early-onset cancer rates