Cancer is becoming more common among younger adults

In 2024, there was an estimated 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths. The most common diagnoses were for breast, prostate, and lung and bronchus cancers, while the highest number of deaths were associated with lung and bronchus, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. 

According to the report, significant progress has been made against cancer mortality rates over the past few decades. Between 1991 and 2021, the overall cancer death rate in the United States decreased by 33%, which was equal to 4.1 million deaths from cancer being averted.

This decline in cancer mortality was associated with reductions in smoking, as well as improvements in early detection of cancer and treatments of certain cancers.

However, at the same time, cancer diagnoses are becoming more common, especially among younger individuals under the age of 50.

Between 2010 and 2019, cancer rates rose significantly among adults in their 30s. In 2019, the greatest increases were for cancers of the breast, thyroid, colon, and rectum. Early-onset colorectal cancer, which is defined as malignancies in adults under 50, increased by 1.9% each year between 2011 and 2019.

Cervical cancer rates have also been increasing among young adults. According to a recent analysis, the incidence of cervical cancer among women ages 30 to 24 increased by 2.5% per year between 2012 and 2019.

"It's very concerning; these are individuals that are in the prime of their life," said Jane Figueiredo, a researcher at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles and one of the report's authors.

Overall, the burden of cancer is expected to continue to grow over the next few decades. In 2050, it is estimated that there will be 2.52 million new cancer cases and 970,000 cancer deaths. In comparison, there were 1.83 million new cancer cancers and 600,000 cancer deaths in 2022.

How to reduce your risk of cancer

According to AACR, 40% of all cancers in the United States are associated with modifiable risk factors. To help people reduce their risk of cancer, AACR offers seven tips:

1. Avoid using tobacco

Smoking cigarettes is associated with almost 20% of all cancer cancers, and almost 30% of all cancer-related deaths. Although nationwide tobacco control initiatives have helped decrease the cigarette smoking rate from 42.4% in 1965 to 11.5% in 2021, an estimated 46 million U.S. adults still use tobacco products.

"There is strong evidence that smoking cessation has both immediate and long-term health benefits, especially when stopping at a younger age," AACR wrote. "Those who stop smoking reduce their risk of developing cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, and pharynx by half after 10 years of cessation."

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Over 20% of new cancer cases and more than 17% of cancer deaths among U.S. adults are due to a combination of excess body weight, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption. By following a healthy lifestyle, people may reduce their risk of developing certain cancers, as well as other adverse health conditions.

3. Reduce your alcohol consumption

According to AACR, excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of six different types of cancer and is associated with more than 200 diseases. In 2019, 5.4% of cancers in the United States were attributed to alcohol consumption.

Currently, research suggests that people who reduce their alcohol consumption or stop drinking altogether could reduce their risk of developing alcohol-related cancers by 8% and of all cancer by 4% compared to those who sustain or increase their drinking.

4. Protect your skin from UV exposure

UV radiation can lead to the development of several types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. It accounts for 95% of skin melanomas and 4.6% of all cancers.

To protect your skin from UV rays, CDC recommends seeking shade, limiting time in the sun, wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs, and applying the recommended amount of sunscreen before going outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days.

5. Prevent infections from cancer-causing pathogens

In the United States, 3.4% of cancers were due to infection with pathogens. Some of the pathogens that can cause cancer include human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Helicobacter pylori.

"Individuals can significantly lower their risks by protecting themselves from infection through preventive measures such as vaccination or by seeking treatment, if available, to eliminate an infection," AACR writes.

6. Limit your exposure to environmental risk factors

Some environmental carcinogens include arsenic, asbestos, radon, lead, radiation, and other chemical pollutants. Exposure to higher than acceptable levels of these carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer.

7. Be aware of potential hormonal risk factors

Research has shown that a woman's risk of developing breast cancer is associated with reproductive factors, including pregnancy and breastfeeding that regulate exposure to estrogen and progesterone.

During the period immediately follow pregnancy, women are at an elevated risk of pregnancy-associated breast cancers. However, breastfeeding, specifically lactation, has been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer, with an increased duration of breastfeeding associated with a further decrease.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to treat symptoms of menopause and other associated changes, may also increase the risk of cancer. Data shows that women who use an estrogen and progestin combination of HRT have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Advisory Board's oncology resources

For more insights on oncology, check out these Advisory Board resources:

Growth in demand and costs, as well new technologies and disruptors, will change how cancer care is delivered, experienced, and paid for going forward. This resource outlines four predictions for how the cancer care delivery landscape will evolve by 2030.

Separately, this market insight explains three strategies organizations can use to leverage oncology pharmacists and improve cancer care. Similarly, these ready-to-use slides outline the major structural shifts impacting cancer care, as well as the strategic decisions that oncology leaders will need to make.

You can search through our oncology topics to see more related resources, including service line outlooks, case studies, and more. (Noguchi, NPR, 9/18; Rabin, New York Times, 9/18; AACR report, accessed 9/18; AACR "Reducing the risk of cancer development," accessed 9/18)"Shots," NPR, 9/18; Rabin, New York Times, 9/18; AACR report, accessed 9/18; AACR "Reducing the risk of cancer development," accessed 9/18)