Incidence of colorectal, breast, kidney, pancreatic, and uterine cancers is increasing in young adults

 Epidemiological data regarding the incidence of 12 types of cancer among young adults was recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, June 2022.  According to the authors, "the incidence of colorectal, breast, kidney, pancreatic, and uterine cancers is increasing...whilst the incidence of lung, laryngeal, and bladder cancers is decreasing."  Further, the authors concluded that young adults with cancer are more likely to experience diagnostic delays, cautioning that "even when referred, younger patients may be referred through a less urgent route...[which] may results in cancer progressing to a less curable stage." While young adults are susceptible to lifestyle risk factors, namely obesity and smoking, the authors further emphasize that these preventable risk factors must be addressed early on. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: di Martino E, Smith L, Bradley SH, et al. Incidence trends for twelve cancers in younger adults—a rapid review. Br J Cancer 2022;126:1374–1386. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-022-01704-x