Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, May 9: In a development that has raised concerns among health experts, a recent study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has highlighted a troubling surge in cancer cases among adults below the age of 50 across the United States.

Published in the reputed journal Cancer Discovery, the study reveals that out of 33 cancer types analysed, 14 showed an increased incidence between 2010 and 2019 in younger age groups, marking a shift in trends that previously affected mostly older populations.

Among the most notable increases were cancers of the breast (in females), colon, kidney, uterus, and pancreas — with breast cancer alone accounting for nearly 4,800 more cases in 2019 than would have been expected based on 2010 data. These five cancers together were responsible for more than 80 per cent of the additional early-onset cases.

“This study provides a starting point for understanding which cancers are increasing among individuals under age 50,” said Dr. Meredith Shiels, lead investigator from the National Cancer Institute under the NIH. She noted that the reasons behind these rising numbers could vary by cancer type, pointing to a mix of lifestyle, diagnostic, and environmental factors.

Health experts believe that growing obesity rates, lifestyle changes, dietary patterns, and environmental exposures may be contributing to these trends. Simultaneously, better screening protocols, advanced imaging techniques, and more vigilant surveillance of high-risk individuals may have also led to increased detection.

Interestingly, while early-onset rates for several cancers have gone up, 19 cancer types — including lung and prostate cancers — saw declines, which helped maintain a relatively stable overall cancer incidence and mortality rate during the study period.

The researchers analysed data spanning nearly a decade (2010–2019) for cancer incidence and up to 2022 for mortality, using records from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and national databases.

With cancer increasingly impacting younger adults, health professionals have called for heightened awareness, earlier screenings in high-risk groups, and a greater focus on preventive health measures.