A global epidemic of cancer among people younger than 50 could be emerging

When cancer strikes an adult under the age of 50, doctors call it an early-onset case. These cancers at younger ages are becoming more common. A new review of cancer registry records from 44 countries found that the incidence of early-onset cancers is rising rapidly for colorectal and 13 other types of cancers, many of which affect the digestive system, and this increase is happening across many middle- and high-income nations.

Dr. Karen Knudsen, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, calls the review “a call to arms.”

Cancer is a serious diagnosis at any age, but when it shows up in younger adults, the tumors are typically more aggressive, and they often go undetected for longer because routine cancer screening isn’t recommended for some of the most common cancer types, such as breast and prostate, until age 50.

“Not only were these early-onset type of cancers more likely to be diagnosed when the tumor is at a more advanced stage, it was also in some of the reports that were tabulated here associated with worse survival outcome,” Knudsen said.

CNN - Oct. 17 2022