Cancer rates are rising faster among younger people than among older age groups, with increases recorded in several types of early-onset cancer in England, the United States and the Netherlands.
An analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund found significant increases in seven cancer types among people under 50 in England, five in the US and four in the Netherlands. The findings were published on October 6, 2026.
In England, prostate cancer among men under 50 rose from one case per 100,000 people in 2001 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2023. Bowel cancer among the same age group increased from 3.9 to 8.4 per 100,000, while kidney and uterine cancers also more than doubled. Breast, pancreatic and liver cancers recorded increases as well.
The US data showed similar changes. Kidney cancer among people under 50 more than doubled between 2000 and 2023, while bowel, uterine and pancreatic cancers rose by more than 50%.
Researchers said obesity, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol use, smoking and environmental exposures may be contributing to the trend. Better awareness and earlier diagnosis may also explain part of the increase, although researchers said this does not account for the entire rise.
Cancer remains much more common among older adults, but researchers said the changing pattern among younger people warrants greater attention to prevention and further research.
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