A new study from the Institute of Cancer Research indicates that obesity plays a crucial role in the increasing incidence of 11 types of cancer among individuals aged 20 to 49 in England. This challenges the long-held belief that smoking and diet are the primary risk factors.
Key findings:
- Eleven types of cancer are rising among younger adults, including thyroid, liver, and breast cancers.
- Approximately 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in this age group in England in 2023.
- Bowel cancer rates linked to BMI increased from 0.9 to 1.6 per 100,000 people among younger women.
- Smoking rates have dropped by about two percent annually over the past two decades.
Research shows that for nine of the eleven cancers, rates are climbing not just among younger adults but also older populations. Professor Montserrat García-Closas noted, “Our findings show that while cancer rates are rising in younger adults, the trends are unlikely to be explained by changes in most known behavioral risk factors.” This suggests a shift in understanding what drives these increases.
The study analyzed national cancer registry data from 2001 to 2019, revealing alarming trends. For instance, about 20 percent of bowel cancer cases in younger women can be attributed to increases in BMI. Yet, officials have not confirmed all underlying causes of this rise.
Professor Kristian Helin emphasized the need for urgent public health policies targeting obesity: “Tackling obesity across all ages… could slow the rise in cancer and prevent many cancers – and must become a national priority.”
Despite these trends, experts remind us that cancer remains relatively rare among young people. Professor Amy Berrington stated, “Although rates have been increasing, cancer in young people is still a rare disease.” More research is necessary to fully understand these complex dynamics.
