05/05/2025
Cancer rates in people under 50 jump 79%, with diet and alcohol as major factors
New research has revealed a concerning rise in cancer cases among young people, with a 79% increase in cases among those under 50 over the past three decades. The study, published in BMJ Oncology, analyzed data from 1990 to 2019, highlighting a dramatic surge in early-onset cancer. The research points to factors like the “Western diet” and lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption, as significant contributors to this alarming trend.
The study, which utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, found that in 2019, there were 3.26 million cases of early-onset cancer among individuals aged 14 to 49. This was a substantial increase from 1990, marking a 79.1% surge in new diagnoses. The report also noted that cancer-related deaths in this age group increased by 27.7% over the same period. Breast cancer, along with cancers of the windpipe, lungs, bowel, and stomach, had some of the highest mortality rates.
Among the various types of cancers, prostate and windpipe cancer saw the largest increases, while breast cancer had the highest incidence of early-onset cases. Interestingly, liver cancer cases declined during this time. Researchers found that regions like North America, Western Europe, and Australasia had some of the highest rates of early-onset cancer diagnoses. On the other hand, Eastern Europe, Oceania, and Central Asia had the highest mortality rates.
The study suggests that the rise in cancer cases may be linked to changes in diet and lifestyle, specifically the Western diet, which is high in red meat, salt, and alcohol. These dietary habits, coupled with a lack of exercise and other health risks like high body mass index and elevated blood sugar, are believed to contribute to the increase in cancer cases among younger individuals.
Despite the concerning rise in early-onset cancer cases, the study does point out a positive trend: in places like the UK, improved screening and early detection efforts have contributed to a decline in cancer-related deaths in younger populations. However, the researchers also predict that, without major changes in lifestyle, early-onset cancer diagnoses could rise by 31% and deaths by 21% by 2030.
