More Young Adults Are Getting Cancer — Here’s Why

One of the biggest risk factors for cancer in general is age. As our bodies grow older, it’s natural to accumulate damage to cells that can lead to cancer. But recent reports on cancer statistics in the U.S. have noted something unexpected: While cancer rates in older adults are declining, cancer in people younger than 50 years is on the rise. 

Why is this happening? And what can you do to lower your risk? We’re here to walk you through what you need to know.

Why is cancer increasing in young adults?

Any type of cancer — at any age — is usually caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Experts estimate that up to 10% of all cancers develop from a genetic predisposition. But most are influenced by other factors. 

Researchers don’t know exactly why certain cancers are on the rise in young adults. But there’s growing evidence that exposures early in life — even in childhood — may play a role. Here’s what the research shows so far.

Increased body weight

People with a larger body weight are more likely to develop certain cancers. Fat tissue may increase inflammation and hormone levels, leading to an increased risk for cancer. 

Rates of excess weight have tripled between 1975 and 2022. Researchers estimate that this trend has contributed to higher rates of certain cancers, especially:

• Colorectal 

• Pancreatic

• Kidney 

But not all cancers are linked to excess weight. And even for the ones that are, rising obesity rates don’t fully explain the overall increase.

Diet

There’s evidence that what you eat in childhood and adolescence can affect your cancer risk in adulthood. Many parts of the “Western diet” are linked to an increased risk. These foods include: 

• Highly processed foods, especially sugary drinks and packaged foods 

• Saturated fat, which is linked to breast, prostate, and colon cancer

• Added sugar, especially diets high in sucrose and fructose

• Processed meat, such as deli meats and those that contain nitrates

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Excess weight and cancer risk: Learn what the research shows about which cancers are influenced by body size.

• Colorectal cancer in young adults: Learn what’s causing the rise of colorectal cancer in young adults, and how you can lower your risk. 

• Can fiber help prevent cancer? While some dietary choices may increase the risk for cancer, others — like fiber — can offer a protective effect.

These links appear to be independent of body size. This means that it can increase cancer risk even if it doesn’t lead to excess weight. 

Decreased physical activity

Regular physical exercise can lower your risk of cancer. This is especially true for breast and colon cancer — two types of cancer that are on the rise in young people. Exercise helps by: 

• Reducing inflammation in your body

• Regulating hormone levels

• Stabilizing body weight

Some research suggests that physical inactivity may play a role in up to 15 types of cancer.  Since physical activity has declined in recent years, this may be another factor contributing to the increased rates. 

Smoking 

Most people are aware that smoking cigarettes increases your risk of lung cancer — especially if you’ve smoked for a long time. But smoking also increases your risk of other kinds of cancer, such as liver, pancreas, kidney, and cervix. 

It often takes decades for smoking to lead to lung cancer. So even though cigarette use is declining, early exposure may be contributing to cancers in young adults. Exposure to cigarette smoke in early life is linked to higher cancer risk before age 50.

Researchers are also studying the long-term effects of vaping and marijuana smoke on your lungs and other organs. Both contain carcinogens, but it’s too soon to know their full impact.

Alcohol 

Alcohol contributes to cancer risk in a few different ways. Alcohol itself is a carcinogen. It also raises estrogen levels, which can contribute to certain types of cancer. Plus, alcohol blocks the absorption of certain nutrients that help protect your cells from damage.

Alcohol intake has been linked to higher rates of:

• Breast cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Head and neck cancer

• Esophageal cancer

• Liver cancer

Sun exposure

Sun exposure is the main risk factor for skin cancer. Melanoma is the most dangerous and fatal type of skin cancer. And even though it’s the least common type, it’s one of the most common cancers among people under the age of 40. 

Environmental pollution

Air pollution — both indoors and outdoors — has been associated with an increased risk of cancer. People in the U.S. are breathing more pollution now than 25 years ago. 

Many of the studies on air pollution focus on the increased risk of lung cancer. But additional research also reveals this is an important contributor to different types of cancer, particularly in young people.

Perinatal stress

Some researchers think exposure in the womb and early infancy may influence cancer risk later in life. It’s possible that factors during early development may affect DNA mutations and cancer risk later in life. These include things like maternal malnutrition, body weight, and substance use. 

Microbiome

Your gut microbiome — the trillions of organisms living in your digestive tract — may also play a role. Early studies show that young adults with colorectal cancer have a different microbiome compared to their peers without cancer, or to older adults with colorectal cancer.

Researchers are working to understand the link between microbiome and your cancer risk. Some types of bacteria appear more likely to promote inflammation or trigger changes in cells that can lead to cancer. 

The gut microbiome is also shaped by everyday habits, like what you eat, how much you move, and whether you drink alcohol or smoke. Because of this, scientists see it as an important area for ongoing research.

Delayed child-bearing

Many young adults today are waiting longer to have children compared to previous generations. Pregnancy and breastfeeding affect hormone levels in ways that can lower cancer risk. When childbearing is delayed — or doesn’t happen at all — people may miss out on some of those protective effects. Researchers believe this trend could be one factor contributing to the increase in certain cancers — such as breast and ovarian cancer — among younger adults.

Are rising cancer rates in young adults just due to better screening?

No — screening plays a role, but it’s only a small piece of the puzzle. 

Some of the increase in cancer rates can be explained by better detection and updated screening guidelines. For example, experts now recommend starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 instead of 50. Since more people under 50 are getting screened for colon cancer, some of the increase in cases may reflect earlier detection. 

But many of the cancers increasing in young adults — like pancreatic or kidney cancer — don’t have screening tests. Even for cancers that do, such as colorectal cancer, the rise in cases goes beyond what screening alone can explain.

What types of cancer are becoming more common in young adults?

An analysis of cancer statistics found that 14 types of cancer are increasing in adults younger than 50 years. The most common of these are breast and colorectal cancer. Others — like kidney, uterine, and pancreatic — are less common but also increasing in younger adults. Below, we’ll highlight some of the cancers on the rise and what you need to know about screening for them.

Colorectal cancer

Rates of colorectal cancer have been rising steadily in young adults since the mid-1990s, even as rates in older adults decline. Experts believe that lifestyle factors — like inactivity, diet, smoking, or alcohol — play a major role. Family history is also important — people with a first-degree relative with colon cancer are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop it. 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that most adults start screening for colon cancer at age 45. People at higher risk — like those with inflammatory bowel disease or with a family history of colon cancer — should start earlier. Colonoscopy is the most common screening test, but there are less invasive options, like stool tests and CT scans.

Cancer of the appendix (appendiceal adenocarcinoma) is rare but has increased among younger adults. Researchers think similar factors to those linked with colorectal cancer may play a role. There are no routine screening tests for appendix cancer, though it’s sometimes detected incidentally during colonoscopies.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer isn’t just a disease of older women. Rates of breast cancer in women under 50 have been going up 1.4% each year between 2012 and 2022. 

Breast cancer screening typically starts at age 40 for most women. This is usually done with a mammogram. Women at higher risk of breast cancer may benefit from additional testing, such as MRI, 3D mammogram, or ultrasound. This might be recommended if you: 

• Are at higher risk of breast cancer

• Have dense breasts 

• Notice a lump

• Have an abnormal mammogram

Skin cancer/melanoma

The risk of skin cancer increases as you age. And it’s more common in people older than 50 years. But for those who don’t use adequate sun protection, skin cancer risk starts in adolescence. 

Screening for skin cancer is done with a full skin exam — usually by a dermatologist. The age and frequency of skin cancer screening depends on individual risk factors. For example, your risk for skin cancer (like family history) and your history of sun exposure.

But you don’t need to wait for a dermatologist to do your own skin checks. Familiarize yourself with your skin and learn what skin cancer looks like. Doing regular self-exams and protecting your skin with daily sunscreen are simple, powerful ways to lower your risk.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death globally. In the past decade, rates in young adults have increased — especially in women. Researchers aren’t sure why women are more affected than men. 

Because pancreatic cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until later stages, it’s usually diagnosed after it has spread. That’s one reason survival rates are lower compared to other cancers.

There aren’t any routine screening tests for pancreatic cancer. But your primary care provider may suggest testing if you’re at higher risk.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus (human papillomavirus). This is a very common virus that’s easily transmitted through sexual intercourse. Each year, over 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Screening for cervical cancer starts at age 21. It’s done with a Pap smear. People who are low risk usually only need the test once every 3 to 5 years, while those with higher risk may need it more often. The HPV vaccine can offer protection and lower your risk for cervical cancer. 

Kidney cancer

The average age of someone with kidney cancer is 65 years. But between 2000 and 2016, rates of kidney cancer in young adults nearly doubled. 

Routine screening isn’t recommended, but people at higher risk — such as those with a family history or certain genetic conditions — may be offered specialized testing.

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Written by:

Mia Barnes

Mia Barnes has over 5 years of experience as a professional freelance writer and researcher. Barnes is the founder and editor-in-chief of Body+Mind Magazine.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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