Rising cancer rates among younger generations: data that raises concern

Cancer incidence is constantly evolving due to lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and advances in detection. While certain cancers linked to behaviors such as smoking are on the decline, trends among younger populations reveal a worrisome increase in several types of cancers. Notably, recent studies indicate that young adults born between 1970 and 1990 exhibit significantly higher incidence rates for cancers once considered rare in this age group.

In light of these rising figures, this study was undertaken to deepen understanding of cancer incidence and mortality trends by birth cohort. The objectives are twofold:

In this study, researchers analyzed cancer registries documenting diagnoses of 34 types of cancer and associated deaths for 25 types from 2000 to 2019. The methodology includes age-period cohort models to observe specific rates for each birth cohort, spanning from 1920 to 1990.

The results reveal that the incidence of 17 cancers studied has risen among generations born after 1920, and that for nine of these cancers, a trend reversal is observed after a prior decline in older cohorts.

Additionally, certain cancers, such as those of the small intestine, thyroid, kidneys, renal pelvis, and pancreas, have doubled or tripled in incidence among people born in 1990 compared to those born in 1955.

Similarly, increased incidence rates have also been observed for liver cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, non-cardia gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, testicular cancer, anal cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma.

Conversely, cancers associated with smoking (such as lung cancer) show a declining trend in the more recent cohorts.

The results of this study highlight a significant increase in cancer risk among younger generations. This trend may reflect the impact of specific risk factors, such as obesity, dietary changes, increased chemical exposure, and sedentary lifestyles. These rising trends over recent decades underscore the urgency of adopting targeted preventive strategies that promote healthy lifestyles from childhood and raise awareness of environmental risks. Continuous surveillance and in-depth research are also necessary to adjust public health interventions, limit long-term impacts on this population, and prevent an ongoing rise in morbidity and mortality.