Cancer New Face
The American Cancer Society released a report on Thursday indicating that while more Americans are surviving cancer, the disease is increasingly affecting young and middle-aged adults, particularly women. Despite advancements in treatment and survival, disparities persist, with Black and Native Americans dying from certain cancers at rates two to three times higher than their white counterparts.
Historically considered a disease of aging and predominantly affecting men, cancer trends have shifted. Declines in smoking-related and prostate cancers among older men contrast with rising cancer rates in individuals born since the 1950s.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause among Americans under 85. The report projects approximately 2,041,910 new cases this year, with 618,120 deaths.
Several common cancers, including those of the breast, uterus, and colorectal regions, are on the rise. Prostate cancer, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer are also increasing. Rebecca L. Siegel, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society and the report’s lead author, highlighted that the increase is more pronounced among women. “Of all the cancers that are increasing, more of this rise is happening in women,” Siegel noted.
Breast cancer rates among younger women have been climbing, particularly in those under 50, as well as in the 50 to 64 age group. In contrast, cancer rates in men under 50 remain flat, and there is a decrease among those aged 50 to 64.
One concerning trend is the rise in cervical cancer cases among women aged 30 to 44. Although cervical cancer rates had plummeted since the mid-1970s due to widespread Pap smear screenings, recent surveys indicate many women are delaying gynecological visits. A Harris Poll for BD, a medical technology company, found that 72% of women had postponed such visits, and half were uncertain about the recommended screening frequency.
Current guidelines suggest a Pap smear every three years starting at age 21 or a combined Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years. However, compliance with these recommendations appears to be waning.
Another troubling trend emerged in 2021 when lung cancer incidence among women under 65 surpassed that in men. While overall lung cancer rates have declined over the past decade, they have decreased more swiftly in men. Women’s later adoption of and slower cessation from smoking partly explain this trend. Additionally, smoking rates have risen among individuals born after 1965, the year following the Surgeon General’s warning about smoking and cancer.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., expected to account for nearly 500 cancer deaths daily in 2025, mostly from lung cancer. The report also raised concerns about the carcinogenic potential of e-cigarettes and vaping, given their growing popularity.
Breast cancer rates have been gradually increasing by about 1% annually from 2012 to 2021, particularly among women under 50, with significant rises among Hispanic American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander women. These increases are attributed to localized tumors and hormone-fueled cancers, along with lifestyle changes such as delayed childbirth and reduced breastfeeding, which offer some protection against breast cancer.
Uterine cancer stands out as the only cancer with a declining survival rate over the past 40 years, while death rates for liver cancer in women and oral cavity cancers in both sexes are also rising. Pancreatic cancer, now the third leading cause of cancer death, has been increasing steadily. Obesity is believed to be a contributing factor to many of these cancers, including pancreatic cancer, which often goes undetected until advanced stages, resulting in a five-year survival rate of only 13%.
Dr. Amy Abernethy, an oncologist and co-founder of Highlander Health, emphasized the need for progress in understanding and treating pancreatic cancer. “We need to understand what drives pancreatic cancers, what treatments can stave them off, how to prevent them, and how to screen for them early,” she said.
Environmental exposures may also be contributing to the rise in early-onset cancers. Neil Iyengar, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, suggested that the increase in various cancers among young people, especially young women, might be linked to environmental factors and lifestyle changes in the U.S.
Public health efforts aimed at older Americans have largely neglected the unique risk factors faced by younger populations. Emerging research suggests maintaining regular sleep patterns may help prevent cancer, alongside well-known risk reduction strategies such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moderating alcohol consumption, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, engaging in physical activity, and undergoing regular cancer screenings.
“Small changes can make a difference,” Siegel said, urging individuals to take control of their cancer risk through manageable lifestyle adjustments.
