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Early-onset cancer rates rise sharply in England, US and Netherlands, study finds

An international study has found sharp increases in early-onset cancers in England, the United States and the Netherlands, with prostate cancer among under-50s in England quadrupling since 2001. Researchers link the trend to obesity, poor diet, inactivity and better detection.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-06 14:09

The analysis of English, US and Dutch cancer data identified significant increases in early-onset cancers for seven cancer types in England, five in the US and four in the Netherlands. Although cancer has been rising across all age groups globally, the rate increase in early-onset cases is greater than in other age groups. Cancer among the under-50s remains uncommon, with the median age at diagnosis above 60, but the authors described the trend as worrying.

In England, among 12 tumor types studied, the incidence of prostate cancer among men under 50 rose from one in every 100,000 people in 2001 to 3.6 in every 100,000 in 2023. Bowel cancer among the under-50s increased from 3.9 per 100,000 in 2001 to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2023. Early-onset uterine and kidney cancers also doubled, to 3.9 and 3 per 100,000 people respectively. Breast cancer among the under-50s rose less sharply, from 42 to 47.5 per 100,000 in 2023, while early-onset pancreatic and liver cancers also increased.

In the US, analysis of official data since 2000 found that kidney cancer incidence among patients under 50 more than doubled, from 2.5 per 100,000 in 2000 to 5.3 per 100,000 in 2023. Bowel, uterine and pancreatic cancers all increased by more than 50%, and breast cancer by about 20%. For the Netherlands, researchers found significant increases in early-onset bowel, kidney, liver and cervical cancers. In contrast, lung cancer rates among the under-50s declined in all three countries, reflecting continuing declines in smoking.

Mark Lawler, professor of digital health and chair in translational cancer genomics at Queen’s University Belfast, called the problem “a ticking timebomb that we need to diffuse as quickly as possible, otherwise the numbers will undoubtedly continue to grow.” He said the overall trend was particularly worrying because it came against a backdrop of lifestyle factors contributing to thousands of deaths.

Dr Giota Mitrou, executive director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, called the trajectory “concerning.” “Behind every figure is a person facing cancer earlier than they, their family and often their doctor would expect,” she said. “While cancer is still much more common in older adults, these changing patterns among younger generations need to be treated as a serious research and cancer prevention priority.”

The fund said risk factors such as growing obesity levels, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking and environmental exposures including pollutants, chemicals, plastics, water and air pollution could be contributing to the trend. About 40% of cancers are linked to these kinds of modifiable risks. Greater awareness of cancer symptoms also means people are more likely to be diagnosed earlier.

Dr Vanessa Gordon-Dseagu, research translation manager at the World Cancer Research Fund, said that while it is not completely understood why more cancers are occurring in people under 50, risk factors related to cancer such as overweight and obesity, diet, alcohol consumption and smoking likely play a role. “At the same time, the public are increasingly aware of the risk factors relating to cancer and the signs and symptoms of the disease to look out for, so are more likely to seek out healthcare when they experience them,” she said. She added that while more cancers are being diagnosed at an earlier stage, “increased diagnosis does not explain the whole story and more research is needed to understand early-onset cancers.”

King’s College London has announced a new trial of 250,000 people, funded by Cancer Research UK, to investigate the increase in bowel cancer cases among younger adults. The study will seek a clearer understanding of the balance between worsening risk factors and better detection in the rise.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the findings underlined why early diagnosis is at the heart of the national cancer plan. The spokesperson cited investment in new technologies to speed up diagnosis, expanded genetic testing, and support for research to better understand the causes of cancer and who may be most at risk. The department is also prioritising research into less-survivable and rarer cancers.