Human study · Research · 16 Oct 2026
In England, bowel and ovarian cancer rose in adults under 50, and that rise was not seen at age 50 and above
Source: BMJ Oncology
What the research found
Study (registry trends, 2001 to 2019). Montserrat Garcia-Closas and colleagues report in BMJ Oncology (DOI 10.1136/bmjonc-2025-000966) using England's National Disease Registry Service. They compared more than 20 cancer types in men and women ages 20 to 49 with adults age 50 and above. Among younger women, 16 of 22 cancer types rose. Among younger men, 11 of 21 rose. Bowel and ovarian cancer rose under 50 and did not show the same rise at age 50 and above. Endometrial, kidney, pancreatic, thyroid, and multiple myeloma rose faster in younger women than in adults age 50 and above. In men, only multiple myeloma rose significantly faster in the younger group. Excess body weight was tied to 10 of 11 highlighted cancers, but both weight-related and non-weight rates rose. The work is observational, limited to England, and assumes about a 10-year lag from exposure to diagnosis. Absolute numbers remain higher at age 50 and above. Not a screening recommendation. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
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