Unhealthy lifestyles, an obesity epidemic and poor gut health are feared to be fuelling a “disturbing” explosion in cases of early-onset cancer. Analysis from Cancer Research UK suggests more adults under 50 are being struck by the disease than ever before, with younger age groups seeing the biggest rises. Around 35,000 people aged 24 to 49 now receive the devastating news that they have cancer each year, up from 26,000 two decades ago.
Rates of cancer in that age group have surged by 24% since the early 1990s. This was more than double the 10% increase recorded among over 75s. Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, Professor Charles Swanton, described the trend as a “scientific conundrum that urgently needs to be solved”.
He said: “Evidence suggests that more adults under 50 may be getting cancer than ever before. M&S's two seater garden bench charms shoppers with striking heart design “You're talking about a much younger population, often with young families. Cancer has a tremendous, often tragic impact on families.
We are seeing them through our clinics, it is disturbing and we don't have a good answer as to why this is happening. We’ve got to get to the bottom of it.” The charity used the latest data to compare incidence rates in 1993-95 with 2017-19, while accounting for population changes.
Overall rates rose 13% from 539 to 611.5 cases per 100,000 people over that period. The increase was 16% among under 24s and 14% among people aged 50 to 74.
Prof Swan.
