A recent study has revealed contrasting trends in cancer diagnosis among young people, with one type on the decline while another is on the rise. The research, involving 90,000 individuals, highlights a decrease in cases of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, in people under 50. Conversely, there has been a significant 24% increase in diagnoses of bowel cancer in this age group over the past two decades.
Analysing data from 1990 to 2022, researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden observed a notable decline in melanoma cases in individuals under 50, particularly in the 20 to 39 age group where rates decreased by up to 5%. Although the decrease was less pronounced in 40 to 49-year-olds, there was still a levelling off of cases by 2015. This positive trend in skin cancer rates among young people is corroborated by Cancer Research UK’s data, showing a decline from 16 cases per 100,000 in 2004-2006 to 15 cases per 100,000 in 2017-2019.
Conversely, the incidence of bowel cancer has been steadily rising in young adults aged 25 to 49 since the early 1990s, with a notable 22% increase in diagnoses up to 2018. Researchers attribute this upward trend to various lifestyle factors such as obesity rates, low-fibre high-fat diets, and excessive alcohol consumption.
The findings of this study shed light on the evolving landscape of cancer demographics, underscoring the importance of targeted prevention and early detection strategies to combat the rising incidence of bowel cancer among young individuals. As research continues to uncover insights into the complex interplay of risk factors and cancer development, initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing awareness about early cancer symptoms become increasingly crucial in tackling these concerning trends.