Rising Cancer Rates in Young People in England
Eleven types of cancer are becoming increasingly common among young people in England, according to a comprehensive analysis conducted by scientists.
While a complete explanation for this rise remains unclear, the study suggests that the long-term trend of increasing overweight and obesity rates is likely a contributing factor, although it does not account for all cases.
Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London emphasized that cancer remains rare in young individuals and that adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risk.
Understanding the Increase in Cancer Among Younger Age Groups
The rise in cancer incidence among people in their late teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s has puzzled scientists for many years.
One poignant example is Bradley Coombes from Portsmouth, who passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 23. His mother, Caroline Mousdale, shared that despite exhibiting multiple "red flag" symptoms indicative of bowel cancer, Bradley was frequently dismissed due to his young age.
"He was a really fit and healthy young man about to sign a semi-professional football deal and was loving life. There was nothing that obviously put him at risk," Caroline said.
After his first year at university, Bradley experienced significant weight loss and abdominal pain, followed by diarrhoea and blood in his stools. It took 18 months from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. By the time a colonoscopy was performed, the tumour was so large it obstructed the camera.
Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Bradley's tumour could not be controlled, and he died with his dog Buster by his side.
"I really felt, like every parent, that he would have conquered his football dreams, he would have just had a fantastic life and that's been taken away from him, because early onset bowel cancer hadn't been identified," Caroline reflected.
Investigating Patterns in Cancer and Lifestyle Factors
Determining the exact cause of cancer in an individual is rare. However, the research team analyzed national trends in cancer incidence alongside lifestyle factors to identify possible patterns.
The study found that, in addition to bowel cancer, rates of thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, pancreatic, endometrial (womb lining), mouth, breast, and ovarian cancers are also increasing.
The research, conducted by The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London, examined behaviors known to influence cancer risk. It found that smoking rates, alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, intake of red and processed meats, and prevalence of low-fiber diets have either improved or remained stable.
These factors, while relevant to cancer risk, do not explain the observed increase in cancer among young people.
The report identified overweight and obesity levels, which have been rising since the 1990s, as the only data aligning with the increase in cancer incidence.
Excess adipose tissue is believed to alter hormones such as insulin, potentially affecting cancer risk.
Nevertheless, this explanation is incomplete. For example, in bowel cancer, researchers estimate that out of every 100 additional cases, only 20 may be attributed to excess weight, leaving 80 cases unexplained.
Preventing Cancer Through Lifestyle Choices
The researchers highlighted the importance of preventing all cancers, not just those considered "extra" cases. It is estimated that nearly 40% of cancers worldwide could be prevented through lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking.
"It is very worrisome to hear the news that cancers are increasing in young people," said Prof Montserrat García Closas from The Institute of Cancer Research.
"However, there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of cancer by having a healthy lifestyle - for instance, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight."
The researchers also noted that despite the increase in cancers among young people, these cases remain significantly fewer than those in older populations.
They reported that approximately one in 1,000 young people (aged 20s to 40s) receive a cancer diagnosis annually, compared to about one in 100 among older adults (aged 50s to 70s).
Ongoing Research into Additional Risk Factors
The search for other contributing risk factors continues. Prof Marc Gunter from Imperial College London mentioned ongoing discussions about the potential roles of ultra-processed foods, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals"), and antibiotic use, acknowledging that much remains unknown.
Other factors under investigation include sweetened beverages, inflammation, air pollution, gut microbiota, and herbicides.
Researchers are also exploring whether improvements in cancer detection methods are leading to more diagnoses at younger ages.
The study's findings have been published in the journal BMJ Oncology.
Caroline Mousdale continues to seek answers regarding why her young son and other young adults are succumbing to cancer.
