Colorectal, Pancreatic, and Breast Cancer Rates Rise in US Adults Under 50

The incidence of colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers increased among US adults younger than 50 years from 2001 to 2023, even as rates of several major cancers declined overall, according to a population-based study published in Cancers.

Investigators led by Baylor College of Medicine analyzed United States Cancer Statistics data covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia for adults aged 20 years or older with first primary female breast, colorectal, liver, lung/bronchus, pancreatic, or prostate cancer. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate average annual percent changes (AAPCs) in age-adjusted incidence. Data from 2020 were excluded from the trend models because of pandemic-related disruptions in screening, diagnosis, and reporting.

Colorectal cancer incidence declined overall (AAPC, −2.02), driven by reductions in late-onset disease. However, early-onset incidence rose among women (AAPC, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.57-2.30) and men (AAPC, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.89-2.49), with annual increases above 5% from 2018 to 2023. Late-stage early-onset colorectal cancer also increased in both sexes. Early-onset pancreatic cancer rose most among women (AAPC, 2.29), and early-onset breast cancer increased (AAPC, 0.68) while late-onset breast cancer declined.

Lung cancer incidence fell overall (AAPC, −2.18) and across all age groups. Liver cancer increased overall, but mainly in the early years of the study, and early-onset incidence declined. Prostate cancer incidence declined overall but rose after 2014, and late-stage disease among men aged 50 years or older increased after 2013 (annual percent change, 4.12).

The authors noted that the database does not include information on risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, so the study could not assess what drove the trends. They concluded that the findings underscore the need for continued surveillance, research into risk factors, and targeted interventions, including early detection strategies, particularly for younger adults.

Source: Sokale I, Rosales O, El-Serag H, et al. Temporal trends in six major cancers: implications for lifestyle-based cancer prevention and early detection across the life course. Cancers (Basel). 2026;18(19):3149. doi:10.3390/cancers18193149