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Certain types of cancer are on the rise among younger adults and women, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. This marks the first time since the early 1900s that cancer has been higher among women than men.
The report, titled Cancer Statistics, provides insight on cancer rates in the US, analyzing data between 1991 and 2021, and offering context to both positive and worrisome shifts in cancer rates.
“Cancer is the number one leading cause of death for all folks under the age of 85,” William Dahut, chief scientific officer for ACS, said.
“This year, we anticipate that there’ll be over 2 million new cancer diagnoses and 618,000 cancer deaths. That would be the equivalent of losing two mid-sized cities in this country.”
The study notes that women under the age of 65 are now more likely to be diagnosed with a cancer than a man in that same age group; historically, men in that age group have had a greater cancer risk than women.
“What’s driving this increasing trend in women is breast cancer and thyroid cancer,” Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director at ACS, said in a press conference hosted by ACS ahead of the study’s release.
“Even though thyroid cancer has stabilized in recent years, it was the fastest-increasing cancer during the time period that we’re looking at.”
There was also an overall shift in cancer rates within different age groups. Being over the age of 65 is still considered the greatest risk factor for cancer, but those younger than 65 are seeing a rise in incidences. There is an increase for those between ages 50 and 64, as well as higher diagnoses rates for those under 50.
Racial and gender disparities in cancer rates persist, according to the findings. Native Americans are two to three times more likely than white people to develop kidney, liver, stomach and cervical cancers. Black women are less likely to be diagnosed but more likely to die from breast cancer, and are 50% more likely to die from cervical cancer.
Incidence rates continue to climb for common cancers, and prostate cancer saw the steepest increase at 3% a year from 2014.
Despite concerning trends, the report highlighted the benefits of technological advances in medicine, early detection and a societal decline in smoking. Overall, cancer mortality has decreased by 34% since 1991, which amounts to more than 4.5m cancer deaths averted. Though progress is tempered by the shift in frequency from men to women.
“It’s essential to help end discrimination and inequality in cancer care for all populations,” Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice-president and senior author of the study, said.
“Taking this step is vital to closing this persistent gap and moving us closer to ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
