Cancer
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Obesity may be a key driver of rising rates of 11 cancers in adults under 50, a study has found.
The 11 cancers were thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, oral, breast and ovarian cancers.
All except oral cancer are known to be linked to excess weight, with researchers saying raised insulin levels and inflammation may play a part.
The findings come from researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research, London and Imperial College London, who analysed national cancer registry data for England from 2001 to 2019.
In England, around 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in people aged 20 to 49 in 2023, equal to roughly one in every 1,000 people. This compares with 244,000 cases in the 50 to 79 age group, where the rate is around one in 100.
Concerns have been growing in recent years over rising rates of cancers such as bowel and ovarian in younger adults.
Among the younger group, breast cancer was the most common, with 8,500 cases, followed by bowel cancer at 3,000 and melanoma skin cancer with 2,800 diagnoses.
For nine of the 11 cancers identified, rates are rising in younger adults but also increasing in older adults, who are much more likely to develop the disease. Bowel and ovarian cancer were the exceptions, rising only in younger age groups.
The researchers found that bowel cancer rates in younger women linked to BMI rose faster, from 0.9 to 1.6 per 100,000 people, than those not linked to BMI, which rose from 6.4 to 9.6 per 100,000 people. Similar patterns were recorded for men.
However, the authors noted that the overall number of cases of BMI-linked bowel cancer in younger women remained lower than those not linked to BMI, suggesting other factors must be contributing to the increase.
Several suspected contributors, including ultra-processed foods, antibiotic use and air pollution, have been proposed in recent years. However, many of these factors have also shown stable or declining trends in the UK, the team said.
Despite the rise in several cancer rates among younger adults over the past two decades, most established risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, red or processed meat intake, low fibre diets and lack of exercise, remained stable or even declined in the period leading up to diagnosis.
This suggests these traditional risk factors are unlikely to account for much of the increase in cancer cases.
By contrast, overweight and obesity, which have increased steadily since 1995, could be key factors in the rise in cases. The team suggested that between 2001 and 2019, around 20 per cent of the increase in bowel cancer was explained by increases in BMI over that period.
However, the researchers said rises in BMI alone are not enough to explain the overall increase in cancer among younger adults in England and that there are likely to be other causes.
Data also suggest around 15 per cent of bowel cancer in younger people could be linked to being overweight or obese, with around 40 to 50 per cent in total linked to the combined effect of known risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol and smoking.
Montse García-Closas, professor at the ICR, said more research was needed, but “we cannot wait to act”.
She told a media briefing: “Our main conclusion is that although BMI is our best clue, much of the increase still remains unexplained, and we’ve done some additional analysis that show that most likely what’s missing is not just a single cause unexplained, but it’s likely a combination of multiple factors that act together.”
Amy Berrington, professor at the ICR, said: “Although rates have been increasing, cancer in young people is still a rare disease.”
Marc Gunter, professor at Imperial, said obesity was a known risk factor for around 19 different cancers.
He added: “For some of these cancers, including colorectal (bowel) cancer, we think this could be partly caused by higher levels of hormones such as insulin, which is often elevated in people with obesity, as well as inflammation.
“We know people with obesity have higher levels of insulin, and insulin is a growth factor and has been linked to cancer.
“In a recent study, we actually found that insulin in particular might be playing a role in early onset colorectal (bowel) cancer, and this is actually an area of very active research at the moment.”
The researchers called for large, long-term studies to identify all the biological and environmental factors that could explain rising cancer rates in young adults.
García-Closas added: “Tackling obesity across all ages, particularly in children and young people, through stronger public health policies and wider access to effective interventions, could slow the rise in cancer and prevent many cancers and must become a national priority.”
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Globally, and in the UK, we’re seeing a small increase in cancer rates in adults under 50.
“The picture is complex and we need more research to understand what’s driving the trend, but this study helps to fill in some gaps.
“Overweight and obesity doesn’t explain the rise in full though. Improvements in detection are likely to also be playing a part, meaning that more people are being diagnosed at a younger age.
“Preventing cancer cases must be a priority for the UK government. Smoking remains a leading cause of cancer in adults under 50, which is why the Tobacco and Vapes Bill receiving royal assent this week is such a historic moment.
“Measures to restrict the advertising and promotion of junk food, introducing mandatory reporting and targets on healthy food sales, and making nutritious food more accessible to everyone would all help people keep a healthy weight.”
Only one per cent of women can name all five gynaecological cancers, new research suggests, as 21 women in the UK die every day of the diseases.
The report also found that 31 per cent of women have put off or avoided seeking medical advice for gynaecological symptoms.
It also found that 43 per cent of women invited for cervical screening said barriers had put them off attending, while 18 per cent of respondents aged 25 to 34 who had been invited had never attended.
The five main gynaecological cancers are womb, also called uterine, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancer.
The Lady Garden Foundation said that, while progress has been made since the UK government’s 2022 Women’s Health Strategy aimed to improve gynaecological cancer care, significant challenges remain.
John Butler, medical director and trustee at the Lady Garden Foundation, said: “The fact that only one per cent of the population can name the diseases that directly affect half of us underscores a significant awareness gap, impacting individuals’ ability to recognise vital signs and symptoms or seek timely medical help.
“Addressing this isn’t just about awareness; it’s a critical public health priority. Our collective efforts are essential to ensure the latest commitments announced by this government translate into tangible change that saves lives.”
The report said key reasons for delaying medical advice included difficulty making appointments, embarrassment and, for cervical screening, fear of pain or previous bad experiences.
Women also reported challenges within healthcare interactions, including feeling “not taken seriously”, “dismissed” or “not believed” when seeking gynaecological advice.
Jenny Halpern Prince, chief executive and charity co-founder, said: “We frequently hear reports of women feeling ‘not taken seriously,’ ‘dismissed,’ or ‘not believed’ when seeking gynaecological advice.
“These experiences highlight crucial areas where we can improve patient support and trust within our healthcare system, ensuring women receive the empathetic and effective care they need.”
The Lady Garden Foundation said it aims to increase awareness of both the charity and the five gynaecological cancers.
It also aims to serve as a primary entry point for reliable, stigma-free information, helping people understand their bodies, recognise symptoms and overcome barriers to accessing care.
Its Silent No More Garden was unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. Designed by Darren Hawkes, the garden serves as a national call to action, using five sculptures to spark conversations, break long-standing taboos and encourage open dialogue about symptoms and preventative care.
Butler said: “Continued focus and collaborative action are essential to progress.
“The ongoing commitment from the government, alongside societal efforts to break down taboos surrounding gynaecological health, are crucial.
“The Lady Garden Foundation is dedicated to being a beacon of information and support, empowering women with the knowledge they need. We urge everyone to learn the signs, speak up, and help us save lives.”
AI could transform ovarian care by personalising cancer and fertility treatment, but more clinical validation is needed before routine use.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found AI models showed high diagnostic accuracy for ovarian cancer when combining data such as ultrasound scans and blood test results.
Across 81 studies, AI models correctly identified ovarian cancer in around nine out of 10 cases, with pooled rates of 89 to 94 per cent.
They were also highly accurate at ruling out ovarian cancer when it was not present, with specificity of 85 to 91 per cent.
The analysis also found that explainable AI tools could predict complete surgical cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer.
Complete surgical cytoreduction means removing all visible cancer during surgery, which can be an important goal in treatment planning.
The tools achieved a pooled AUC of 0.87. AUC is a measure of how well a model distinguishes between different outcomes, with higher scores showing stronger performance.
In reproductive medicine, AI algorithms helped physicians optimise ovarian stimulation protocols and predict follicular growth during IVF.
Ovarian stimulation is the use of hormones to encourage the ovaries to produce eggs, while follicles are the small sacs in the ovaries where eggs develop.
The review found AI could reliably model ovarian response in IVF with a pooled AUC of 0.81.
However, researchers said challenges remain in translating promising research findings into routine clinical practice.
They identified substantial variation across studies, driven by retrospective study designs, variable AI systems and a lack of standardised validation.
Only 22 per cent of analysed studies reported prospective, multicentre external validation, where models are tested forward in time across multiple healthcare settings.
The authors called for rigorous validation to help close the gap between research and routine clinical practice, alongside standardised methodological and reporting frameworks, smooth integration with clinical workflow and robust governance to support responsible and ethical AI use.
They concluded: “Artificial intelligence is a transformative force in the management of ovarian conditions.
“In gynaecologic oncology, AI enhances every phase of care, from early detection and accurate diagnosis to prognostic stratification and surgical planning.”
In reproductive medicine, AI personalises ovarian stimulation and refines the diagnosis of heterogenous endocrine disorders such as PCOS.
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a hormonal condition that can affect periods, skin, weight and fertility.
Femtech World is delighted to reveal the shortlist for this year’s Women’s Cancer Innovation award.
The award, sponsored by Endomag, will honour a groundbreaking innovation dedicated to the prevention, early detection treatment or ongoing care of cancers that uniquely or disproportionately affect women.
Endomag is a medical technology company devoted to improving the global standard of cancer care.
Its Sentimag system, Magseed marker and Magtrace lymphatic tracer are used by thousands of the world’s leading physicians and cancer centres.
After careful review of this year’s submissions, we are delighted to announce the three shortlisted entries for the Women’s Cancer Innovation Award 2026.
Auria is tackling one of the most stubborn problems in breast cancer screening: the 66 per cent of women who simply don’t participate.
Rather than improving existing imaging pathways, Auria is creating an entirely new access layer: a non-invasive, at-home test that detects protein biomarkers for breast cancer in tears.
Auria’s test, a CLIA-certified Lab Developed Test, has been validated across more than 2,000 patients in multiple clinical studies with collaborators including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Stanford University.
It reports a sensitivity of 93 per cent and a negative predictive value of 98 per cent.
Founded on six years of combined research at the University of Barcelona and UC Irvine, The Blue Box has developed a non-invasive, urine-based test that detects breast cancer by analysing volatile organic compound (VOC) signatures – no radiation, no compression, no imaging facility required.
The test achieves a sensitivity of 88.42 per cent, outperforming mammography by 15 per cent overall, and by 30 per cent specifically in women with dense breasts.
The technology could function as a first-line screening tool in primary care settings, as a complement to mammography for high-density patients, or as an accessible alternative in healthcare systems where imaging infrastructure is limited.
Celbrea is a disposable and affordable thermal screening device that empowers women of all ages to stay on top of monitoring their breast health.
The device aims to add to doctors’ existing standard evaluation protocols with a quick, painless examination. Celbrea does not replace a mammogram but simply provides an additional way to screen for breast disease, including breast cancer.
The device consisting of two disposable pads with photochromic sensors. The pads are self-applied to each breast for 15 minutes.
1188 nano-sensors are embedded within a biocompatible multilayer pad, accurately measuring any temperature differences on the surface of the breast using liquid crystal thermographic technology.
What happens next
The shortlisted entries will now be judge by an Endomag representative who will reveal the winner at a virtual awards event on June 19.
Winners will receive a trophy and will be interviewed by a Femtech World journalist.
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