Cancer cases in the under 50s have risen by 79%, according to one study (Picture: Getty)
When Kate Middleton announced she was undergoing treatment for cancer last week, many were shocked that the 42-year-old future queen had received a diagnosis at such a young age.
But the Princess of Wales is part of what some scientists are calling an ‘epidemic’ of early onset cases in the under-50s.
Cancer in younger adults is surging, statistics – and doctors – are warning us. A 2023 study found there’s been a 79% increase in new cancer cases in the under 50s in the past three decades.
But scientists tell Metro.co.uk they are unsure about what’s causing the mystery rise, with myriad factors at play.
Is cancer on the rise in young people?
Generally, our risk of getting cancer increases as we get older. Around 90% of all cancer cases affect people over the age of 50.
However, several recent studies have highlighted a sharp rise in cases among younger people.
One of the reasons behind the rise could be improvements in cancer checks (Picture: Getty Images)
One study, which looked at data from 204 countries, found there were 3.26 million new cancer diagnoses among the under 50s in 2019, up from 1.82 million cases in 1990.
More than a million under 50s died of cancer in 2019 – that’s up 28% from 1990.
Researchers behind the study estimated that new early onset cancer cases will rise a further 31% by 2030.
The Princess of Wales received her cancer diagnosis at the age of 42
In the UK, cancer incidence rates for 25- to 49-year-olds has increased by 22% since 1990, according to Cancer Research UK.
That’s a bigger rise than other age groups. In the over-75s, for instance, cancer incidence rates have increased by 9% in the same period.
Should we be worried?
While recent figures may look alarming, several cancer experts tell Metro.co.uk the statistics don’t show the full picture.
‘Whilst the number of cases looks very big, this increase is partly due to population growth,’ says Dr Claire Knight, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK.
Dr Knight added that cancer remains primarily a disease of older age.
Professor Richard Sullivan, Director of the Institute of Cancer Policy at Kings College London, agrees that many recent studies on the rise in early onset cancer cases have some ‘big problems’.
‘These studies don’t take into account population structure changes,’ he tells Metro.co.uk – which means that they don’t show a ‘true rise.’
‘In reality, cases in the over 50s still eclipse those in the under 50s’.
However, Professor Sullivan conceded that there was a ‘modest’ rise in cancer cases in the 14-49 age group.
What kind of cancer is common in young people?
It’s often used a catch-all term, but some types of cancer are rising more quickly in younger age groups than others.
Breast cancer makes up the highest number of cancer cases in the under 50s, although other types are becoming more prevalent.
While cancer cases are rising, treatments are also improving (Picture: Getty Images)
A 2022 study found …read more
Source:: Metro
