Ann Intern Med

Cancer incidence rising in both younger and older adults globally

October 23, 2025

Rising cancer incidence in younger adults is part of a broader trend affecting older adults for most cancer types, except colorectal cancer, which shows a disproportionate increase in younger populations.

Study details: A surveillance study analyzed annual cancer incidence data from 42 countries (Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australasia) using the GLOBOCAN database (2003–2017). Adults aged ≥20 years were included. Joinpoint regression estimated average annual percentage change (AAPC) for 13 cancer types previously reported to be increasing in younger adults.

Results: Incidence rates increased in younger adults (20–49 years) in most countries for thyroid (median AAPC, 3.57%), breast (0.89%), colorectal (1.45%), kidney (2.21%), endometrial (1.66%), and leukemia (0.78%) cancers. These increases were also seen in older adults (≥50 years) for all except colorectal cancer, which rose more sharply in younger adults and only in about half of countries for older adults. Incidence rates for liver, oral, esophageal, and stomach cancers decreased in younger adults in most countries.

Source:

Berrington de Gonzalez A, et al. (2025, October 21). Ann Intern Med. Trends in Cancer Incidence in Younger and Older Adults : An International Comparative Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115281/