11 types of cancer among under-50s revealed, concern raises among younger adults: Study

A study revealed that 11 types of cancer are becoming more common in people under 50 of which analysts say is a broader shift in who gets cancer and when.

For a generation that expects to be building their lives, cancer is arriving unexpectedly early, and health services are only just beginning to adapt.

The new analysis has found rising rates of breast, bowel, melanoma, thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, pancreatic, womb, mouth and ovarian cancers among people under the age of 50. Researchers noted that in contrast, diagnosis rates for many of the same cancers are either stable or declining in older age groups.

Experts say the pattern is not limited to England, with similar increases in early-onset cancers reported globally over recent decades. In the UK alone, cancer cases among people aged 25 to 49 have increased by around 25 per cent since the early 1990s, even after adjusting for population growth.

Globally, the sharpest increases in younger adults have been recorded in bowel, breast, uterine, kidney and several digestive cancers, along with melanoma. The latest English findings mirror this broader international trend, affecting both men and women, though cancer types and rates vary by gender.

Modelling studies suggest that if current trends continue, early-onset cancer cases and deaths could rise by more than 12 per cent by 2050.

While improved detection and screening are partly responsible for identifying more cases, researchers say this does not fully explain the trend. Some cancers in younger adults are still being diagnosed at advanced stages, indicating a genuine increase in occurrence rather than just earlier detection.

Health experts point towards lifestyle factors as key contributors, particularly rising obesity rates. Being overweight or obese is now considered the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK after smoking, linked to more than a dozen cancer types including bowel, breast (post-menopausal), womb and kidney cancers.

Researchers also highlight changing diets high in ultra-processed foods, alcohol, red and processed meat, and sugary drinks, alongside low fibre intake, as contributing risks. Sedentary lifestyles, long sitting hours, lack of exercise, and disrupted sleep patterns, including night-shift work, are also being studied for their potential role in cancer development.

Beyond lifestyle, scientists are also examining environmental pollution, hormonal changes, earlier puberty, and shifts in the gut microbiome as possible contributing factors, although many of these links are still under investigation.

Experts stress that while cancer risk remains relatively low for younger adults, the rising trend is significant and should not be ignored. They warn that both patients and doctors may overlook symptoms in younger people, leading to delayed diagnosis.

They urge greater awareness of warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, unusual lumps, or changes in bowel habits.

Health specialists say prevention remains key, including maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, protecting skin from sun exposure, and keeping vaccinations such as HPV up to date.

While the findings are concerning, experts emphasize that early detection and healthier lifestyle choices can significantly reduce risk and improve outcomes.