Ankara:Cases of seven types of cancer have seen a significant rise among individuals under 50, as revealed by a new analysis from the World Cancer Research Fund International.

According to Anadolu Agency, the organization examined data from cancer registries in England for 12 cancer types from 2001 to 2023. The study found notable increases in breast, colorectal, kidney, liver, pancreatic, prostate, and uterine cancers. Prostate cancer showed the sharpest rise, with diagnoses in men under 50 increasing from 158 in 2001 to 640 in 2023, translating to an incidence rate increase from 1 to 3.6 cases per 100,000 men. Despite this rise, prostate cancer remains rare in this age group.

The analysis also highlighted early-onset colorectal cancer, with rates climbing from 3.8 to 8.3 cases per 100,000 among women and 4 to 8.4 cases per 100,000 among men. Uterine cancer rates more than doubled, and kidney cancer rates increased across both genders. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among younger women, with its incidence rate rising from 42 to 47.5 cases per 100,000. Liver and pancreatic cancers also saw smaller increases.

The study extended its analysis to the US and the Netherlands, identifying significant increases in various cancer types. In the US, breast, colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, and uterine cancers showed rises, while in the Netherlands, cervical, colorectal, kidney, and liver cancers were noted.

The World Cancer Research Fund emphasized that while trends were identified, the causes of these increases are not fully understood. Potential factors include changes in obesity, physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol use, and sun exposure. However, these factors alone do not account for the trends, and other environmental and genetic factors are being investigated.

The organization noted that improved awareness and diagnosis might contribute to the rising numbers, as younger adults increasingly recognize symptoms and seek medical care. Nonetheless, cancer remains predominantly a disease affecting older adults, with the average age of diagnosis above 60 in developed countries. Further research is needed to explore the genetic, environmental, and biological factors influencing these trends in younger populations.