CANCER rates in under-50s have surged 79 per cent in 30 years, a study shows.
Some 3.26million people in the age group were diagnosed in 2019 around the world, University of Edinburgh researchers found.
GettyCancer rates in under-50s have surged 79 per cent in 30 years around the world, a study shows[/caption]
The biggest rises were in windpipe and prostate cancer, while breast cancer made up the most cases.
Researchers said that while genetics are likely to play a part, smoking, alcohol consumption and diets high in meat and salt but low in fruit and milk are the “main risk factors”.
Excess weight, low physical activity and high blood sugar may also have an impact, they said.
Lead author Dr Xue Li said while early-onset cancer in the UK showed an “upward trend” from 1990 to 2010, “the overall incidence rate remained stable” in the nine years after.
She said: “Fortunately, the annual mortality rate from early-onset cancer in the UK has been steadily decreasing.
“This is a testament to the outstanding cancer screening and treatment efforts over the past three decades.”
Around 3million Brits are currently living with cancer, with numbers expected to increase to more than 5.3million by 2040, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Cancer risk generally increases as you age for most cancer types, with the disease more prominent in people aged over 50.
The latest study, published in BMJ Oncology, looked at data for 29 cancers in 204 countries to see how many younger people were diagnosed over the last three decades.
Cancer deaths in under-50s increased 27.7 per cent, breast, windpipe, lung, bowel, and stomach being the biggest killers.
Independent experts said it is not “fully clear” what is causing the rise in younger people.
Dr Claire Knight, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Exposure to risk factors in earlier life, better detection of cancer and genetics might all play a part.
“However alarming this might seem, cancer is primarily a disease of older age, with the majority of new cancer cases worldwide being diagnosed in those aged 50 and above.
The 6 lifestyle factors linked to early onset cancer
Researchers said that while genetics are likely to play a part in the rise in cancer rates in under-50s, lifestyle factors that play a part include:
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Diets high in meat and salt but low in fruit and milk
Excess weight
Low physical activity
High blood sugar
“There are lots of ways to help your cancer risk, such as not smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and staying safe in the sun.”
More research is needed to find out what is causing the rise in young people for specific cancer types, she said.
Professor Stephen Duffy, of Queen Mary University of London, said: “These results are interesting but colleagues will need to give considerable time and thought as to their interpretation.
“The finding of an increasing trend of breast cancer incidence in women under 50, is consistent with what is happening to rates in the UK. S
“Since we do not routinely screen women aged under 50, this is not due to increased diagnostic activity due to screening.
“It also suggests that similar increases over time in women aged over 50 who are offered screening, are not due to screening alone.”