Generation X People & Millennials In the US At Higher Risk for 17 Different Cancers Than Older Generations

A recent study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals a concerning rise in cancer rates among younger generations, specifically for 17 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.

The study also notes increasing death rates for cancers such as liver (in women), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal, which follow the trend of rising incidence. The full report can be found in The Lancet Public Health.

Dr. Hyuna Sung, the study’s lead author and principal scientist at ACS, explains that the findings add to growing evidence of elevated cancer risks in generations after the Baby Boomers. “Our research builds on earlier studies focused on early-onset colorectal cancer and obesity-related cancers.

Generation X People & Millennials In the US At Higher Risk for 17 Different Cancers Than Older Generations

It now covers a wider range of cancer types,” she says. Dr. Sung also points out that people born during the same period are exposed to specific social, economic, and environmental factors that may increase their cancer risk during crucial developmental stages. However, the exact reasons behind these rising rates remain unclear.

The research analyzed data from 23.6 million cancer diagnoses across 34 types and over 7 million cancer-related deaths for 25 types, spanning individuals aged 25 to 84 between 2000 and 2019.

The data was sourced from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Researchers used five-year birth cohorts from 1920 to 1990 to assess incidence and mortality trends while adjusting for age and other factors.

The study found that cancer incidence has increased with each generation since the 1920s for eight of the 34 cancers analyzed. Notably, younger individuals born in 1990 face two to three times the risk of developing cancers such as pancreatic, kidney, small intestine, and liver (in women) compared to those born in 1955.

For instance, the incidence of uterine corpus cancer in the 1990 birth cohort has increased by 169%, compared to earlier generations.

The study also reports rising mortality rates for certain cancers in younger generations, including liver (in women), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers.

Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science at ACS, remarked that these rising rates suggest shifting cancer risks and could foreshadow a higher cancer burden in the future.

He warned that without effective public health interventions, the increased risk could reverse decades of progress in cancer prevention and treatment. Targeting risk factors for Generation X and Millennials will be crucial in creating prevention strategies.

Lisa Lacasse, president of the ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), emphasized the need for affordable, comprehensive health insurance for all age groups, given its significant impact on cancer outcomes.

ACS CAN continues to advocate for Medicaid expansion in states that haven’t adopted it and for the permanent extension of Affordable Care Act tax subsidies, which have improved access to healthcare for millions.

Other researchers contributing to the study include Chenxi Jiang, Dr. Priti Bandi, Dr. Farhad Islami, and Rebecca Siegel.

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