By: Kathy Hubbard
With a lot of exceptions, over the decades cancer has been considered a result of aging. Thus, the recommendations for early detection screenings are typically aimed at those over 50. But times are changing. Since 2020, there has been a significant rise in various cancers across multiple organ systems in younger adults. And experts are wondering why and what to do about them.
The National Institutes for Health says, “Recent epidemiological data suggests an increasing trend in the incidence of lung cancer among never smokers with around 12.5 percent of cases observed in this demographic occurring among young adults. The incidence of cancers among adults under 50 include digestive cancers (colorectum, esophagus, extrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas and liver), gynecological cancers (breast and endometrium), urogenital cancers (kidney and prostate), as well as head and neck and thyroid cancers.” Whew.
They go on to say, “Traditionally, ‘early-onset’ referred to patients diagnosed in their adulthood before the age of 50 years, although this definition may be overly simplistic. With nearly one million cancers occurring among young adults worldwide, early-onset cancers now represent the leading cause of mortality in this age group in regions with a middle-to-high socio-demographic index—surpassing cardiovascular diseases.”
An article published on Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s (MSK) website calls these increases “disturbing and worrying.” They say that one obvious cause of rising cancer rates can be attributed to “the vicious circle of obesity, highly processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles which are an epidemic in America.”
“We know obesity causes inflammation, which can lead to cancer,” MSK physician Shari Goldfarb, MD, a breast oncologist said. “We believe that plays a role and needs to be addressed. But it doesn’t fully explain the growing rates of young women with breast cancer.”
It also doesn’t explain the increase in early-onset of colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers. The center followed 4,000 younger adults diagnosed with cancer and found that, at least in this group, they were actually less likely to be obese, use tobacco or have other known risk factors. Hmmm.
NIH says, “More than a few studies have singled out obesity and heavy consumption of alcohol as likely key contributors. Others have suggested that environmental factors, like an overabundance of microplastics in the bodies of younger people, might be at play.
“Much of the available evidence places the blame on another potential culprit: disruptions in the composition of bacteria in the gut and elsewhere in the body, known as the microbiome. One recent study also implicated bacteria. But, rather than a harmful mix of these organisms, it suggested that a DNA-damaging toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium E. coli may be a key driver.”
Another critical question researchers ask is, are early-onset cancers biologically different from those diagnosed in older adults. “Such information, experts agree, could help single out the key contributors to the phenomenon. In the more immediate term, it could help inform choices about the best treatments and patterns of care for younger people,” NIH explains.
As studies continue, there are steps younger people (as well as older ones) can take to lower their risk of cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research puts obesity at the number one spot. “Keep your weight within the healthy range and avoid weight gain in adult life.
“2. Be physically active as part of everyday life. Walking more and sitting less is a great way to reduce cancer risk. 3. Make whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes such as beans and lentils a major part of your normal diet. 4. Limit consumption of ‘Fast Foods’ and other processed foods that are high in fat, starches or sugars. 5. Limit consumption of red and processed meat. Eat no more than moderate amounts (12 to 18 ounces per week) of beef, pork and lamb.
“6. Drink mostly water and unsweetened drinks. 7. Limit alcohol. There is strong evidence that drinking alcohol is a cause of six cancers. 8. Do not use dietary supplements for cancer prevention. Aim to meet your nutritional needs through diet alone.”
Of course, you know you shouldn’t use tobacco products. And the most important advice I can give you is to talk to your primary care provider about when you should start cancer screenings. He or she is best at determining your risk and your needs.
Kathy Hubbard was a charter member of Bonner General Health Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected]. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on April 1, 2026.