Cancer Cases in Individuals Under 50 Surge by 79% in 30 Years, Finds BMJ Study

Over the past three decades, there has been a startling 79 percent increase in new cancer cases among individuals under the age of 50 worldwide, according to a study published in the journal BMJ Oncology. This research has uncovered a concerning trend, with the fastest rise seen in windpipe and prostate cancers, while the highest number of deaths occurred in cases of breast, windpipe, lung, bowel, and stomach cancers.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. They discovered that breast cancer accounted for the highest number of 'early onset' cases in this age group in 2019. Windpipe and prostate cancers have experienced the most rapid increase since 1990.

The researchers predict that the global number of new early-onset cancer cases and associated deaths will rise by an additional 31 percent and 21 percent, respectively, by 2030, with individuals in their 40s being at the greatest risk.

These findings challenge the conventional understanding of the types of cancers typically affecting individuals under 50. While cancer is more commonly associated with older age groups, evidence suggests that cases among those under 50 have been steadily increasing in many parts of the world since the 1990s.

In 2019, new cancer diagnoses among those under 50 reached 1.82 million, marking a substantial 79 percent increase compared to the figures from 1990.

Breast cancer, overall, accounted for the largest number of these cases and associated deaths, with rates of 13.7 and 3.5 per 100,000 of the global population, respectively.

However, early onset windpipe and prostate cancers exhibited the most significant increases between 1990 and 2019, with estimated annual percentage changes of 2.28 percent and 2.23 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, early-onset liver cancer showed a decline of approximately 2.88 percent each year.

In 2019, over 1 million (1.06 million) individuals under the age of 50 succumbed to cancer, representing an increase of just under 28 percent compared to the figures from 1990.

Following breast cancer, the cancers that posed the highest risk of death and subsequent poor health included those affecting the windpipe, lung, stomach, and bowel, with the most significant increases in deaths observed in cases of kidney or ovarian cancer.

The highest rates of early onset cancers in 2019 were observed in North America, Australasia, and Western Europe. However, low to middle-income countries were also significantly impacted, with the highest death rates among individuals under 50 occurring in Oceania, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

The researchers noted that genetic factors may play a role in these trends. However, dietary factors such as high consumption of red meat and salt, low fruit and milk intake, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are the primary risk factors contributing to the most common cancers among individuals under 50. Physical inactivity, excess weight, and high blood sugar also play contributory roles, according to the data.

The researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their findings, including variations in the quality of cancer registry data across different countries, which may have led to underreporting and underdiagnosis. The extent to which screening and early-life exposure to environmental factors influence these observed trends remains unclear.

In conclusion, this study highlights an alarming increase in cancer cases among individuals under 50 over the past 30 years, challenging previous notions about the age groups most susceptible to cancer. Early detection and preventive measures are essential to address this concerning trend and reduce the burden of cancer on younger populations.

Also Read: Essential Health Tests to Consider After Turning 40: The Top 8

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