Breast cancer rising among under-50s, charity warns

Breast cancer rates among women under 50 in England rose between 2001 and 2023, an analysis of NHS data found.

Cases increased from 42 per 100,000 women under 50 in 2001 to 47.5 per 100,000 in 2023.

The analysis also found increases in several other cancers among adults under 50, although most cancers are still diagnosed in older adults.

The World Cancer Research Fund analysed NHS data in England, comparing diagnosis rates in 2001 and 2023.

Among women under 50, womb cancer rates rose from 1.8 cases per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.9 per 100,000 in 2023.

Bowel cancer rates among adults under 50 increased from 3.9 cases per 100,000 in 2001 to 8.4 per 100,000 in 2023.

Kidney cancer rates doubled from 1.5 cases per 100,000 adults under 50 to three per 100,000.

Liver cancer rates rose from 0.5 to 0.8 cases per 100,000, while pancreatic cancer increased from 0.8 to one case per 100,000.

Among men under 50, prostate cancer rates increased from one case per 100,000 in 2001 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2023.

Separate figures from Cancer Research UK show overall cancer incidence among people aged 25 to 49 in the UK increased by 24 per cent between the early 1990s and 2019.

Dr Giota Mitrou, executive director of research and policy at WCRF, said: “These figures should make us pause and think because this current trajectory is concerning.

“Behind every figure is a person facing cancer earlier than they, their family and often their doctor would expect.

“These findings show that the early onset cancer picture in England is far wider and more complex, involving several cancers rather than bowel cancer alone.

“While cancer is still much more common in older adults, these changing patterns among younger generations need to be treated as a serious research and cancer prevention priority.”

WCRF said the biological mechanisms behind early onset cancers are not fully understood and called for further research into what may be driving the increases.

The findings come after the Prospect-UK study was launched to investigate rising bowel cancer rates among younger adults. It will track 250,000 people over time, examining diet and lifestyle factors.