A new study from the Institute of Cancer Research reveals that obesity significantly contributes to the rising rates of 11 types of cancer among young adults aged 20 to 49 in England. This finding challenges the long-held belief that traditional risk factors like smoking and diet are the primary causes.
Key findings:
- Eleven types of cancer are increasing in individuals aged 20 to 49, including thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, oral, breast, and ovarian cancers.
- Approximately 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in this age group in England in 2023.
- Bowel cancer rates linked to BMI for younger women rose from 0.9 to 1.6 per 100,000 people.
- For nine of the eleven cancers studied, rates are increasing among both younger and older adults.
Professor Montserrat García‑Closas emphasized that while cancer rates are rising in younger adults, these trends cannot be explained by changes in most known behavioral risk factors. Smoking rates among this demographic have fallen by about two percent annually over the past two decades.
Professor Kristian Helin suggested that addressing obesity through stronger public health policies is crucial. He stated that doing so could slow the rise of cancer and prevent many cases—making it a national priority.
Despite these alarming statistics, experts note that cancer remains relatively rare among young people. Professor Amy Berrington pointed out that although rates have been increasing, early-onset cancers still occur infrequently.
The study utilized national cancer registry data from England spanning from 2001 to 2019. However, uncertainties persist about the exact causes behind the rise in cancer rates among younger adults, indicating a need for further research into this pressing public health issue.
