Chandigarh, Oct 22: Obesity-related cancer cases are on the rise in both younger and older adults, a new global analysis has found, challenging the perception that such cancers primarily affect the young.
The study, led by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London, analysed data from 42 countries using the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s ‘GLOBOCAN’ database. Examining cancer incidence from 2003 to 2017, the research identified significant increases in five obesity-related cancers: thyroid, breast, kidney, endometrial, and blood (leukaemia).
According to the study, over three-fourths of the countries showed rising rates of these cancers among adults aged 20–49. Colorectal cancer, in particular, saw higher increases among younger adults compared to older adults in nearly 70 per cent of countries, likely reflecting either exposure to new carcinogens or more effective screening among older populations.
“Cancer types previously seen rising in younger adults are increasing in both younger and older adults,” the researchers said. “The implications of focusing new studies only on younger adults should be carefully considered.”
The study also noted that liver, oral, oesophageal, and stomach cancers showed lower incidence in younger adults in over half of the countries. Researchers emphasised that the obesity-linked cancers—especially endometrial and kidney cancers—demonstrated consistent increases across age groups, suggesting that environmental and lifestyle exposures contributing to cancer risk may affect both young and older adults.
“These findings indicate that rising cancer rates are not confined to the young, highlighting the need for broader preventive strategies and age-inclusive research,” the authors concluded.
