Rising Cancer Rates in Young Adults

Cancer rates increase steadily after age 50, when it’s more likely for the body’s cells to undergo changes that may lead to cancer. So it’s unsurprising that the average age for a cancer diagnosis is 66.

But early-onset cancer is affecting more people between ages 18 and 49 than ever before. As of 2019, cancer rates in young adults were 79.1% higher than they were in 1990. Early onset cancer deaths climbed 27.7% in the same time period. And more developed countries, like the U.S., have higher rates of early-onset cancers than their less-developed counterparts throughout the world.

The American Cancer Society has found that younger adults are the only age group where cancer cases are on the rise. Rising cancer rates in young adults aren’t an outlier either. They’re seen in many different types of cancers, including: 

• Breast
• Cervical
• Colon
• Endometrial
• Liver
• Lung
• Pancreatic
• Prostate
• Rectal
• Stomach
• Trachea 

Young women are at higher risk for early-onset cancer than young men. That’s because they have increased odds of developing breast cancer, which is responsible for the highest number of cancer cases in young people. 

Early Cancers in Young Adults

What’s behind the shifting rates in young adults?

“The short answer is, I don’t think we know,” says Amanda Wheeler, M.D., a cancer surgeon with Sutter. “It’s multifactorial, and it depends on which cancer you’re talking about. There’s a lot of research going into this.” 

Factors that could play a role include:

• Alcohol use
• Diet high in fat and processed foods
• Environmental pollution
• Exposures before birth
• Family history
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking

“Young people are less likely to smoke, but more likely to increase their alcohol consumption. That’s an interesting parallel,” Wheeler says. 

How to Lower Your Cancer Risk

Because family history may play a role in early-onset cancer, it’s important for young adults to talk to their parents and siblings about their health history. Share this information with your healthcare provider so you can talk about your screening schedule. They may recommend you be screened for cancer at an earlier age. 

For example, if one of your parents was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 50, your doctor may recommend that you start screenings between 35 and 40. They also may recommend screenings more frequently, different types of screenings or genetic testing.  

Younger adults can also make healthy lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk. “That’s the easiest one we can move the needle on,” Wheeler says.  

She recommends:

• Choosing a diet with little or no red meat or processed meat. Focus on high-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Getting weekly exercise that totals 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus strength training.
• Quitting smoking and not using tobacco products.
• Reducing or avoiding alcohol. 

What’s Your Risk? 

Talk to your doctor about your risk for developing cancer. Your primary care provider will recommend screenings and preventive care based on your risk factors and history.