Early-Onset Cancer Rates Rising Fast Among Women Under 50
Breast, colorectal, thyroid, and uterine cancers are climbing in younger adults, according to new U.S. data
Topline:
A major study by the National Cancer Institute shows that rates of many early-onset cancers, especially in women under 50 are rising sharply, with breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers leading the increase. These trends suggest a pressing need to reevaluate cancer screening and prevention strategies for younger populations.
Study Details:
Published in Cancer Discovery, this large-scale study analyzed over 2 million early-onset cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. between 2010 and 2019. The research excluded 2020–2021 data due to underreporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. It relied on national databases from the United States Cancer Statistics and National Center for Health Statistics.
Methodology:
Researchers grouped cancer incidence and mortality data into early-onset (ages 15–49) and late-onset (ages 50–79) cohorts. Using age-specific incidence rates from 2010 applied to 2019 population data, the team calculated the expected vs observed number of cases. They then analyzed trends by cancer type and age subgroup to identify rising patterns.
Key Findings:
63.2% of all early-onset cancers occurred in women
Breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers accounted for 80% of the excess cases in 2019
14 of 33 cancer types saw increased incidence in early-onset age groups
5 cancers (including melanoma, cervical, and stomach) increased only in early-onset patients
Mortality increased for testicular, uterine, colorectal, and bone/joint cancers in at least one early-onset group
Cervical cancer increased 1.39% annually in women aged 30–39
Implications for Practice:
This growing trend of cancer diagnoses in younger individuals highlights the urgent need to:
Lower screening ages for certain cancers like breast and colorectal
Conduct mechanistic and tissue-based research to understand if early-onset cancers differ biologically
Develop targeted education and prevention strategies for populations under 50
For patients, especially women under 50, these findings suggest staying vigilant about early signs and symptoms and discussing personalized screening plans with providers. For healthcare professionals, revisiting age thresholds and risk assessment models may become increasingly necessary.