A new study from ACS reveals that Generation X and Millennials in the U.S. have a higher risk of developing 17 types of cancer compared to older generations. This study, published in The Lancet Public Health, highlights the increasing cancer burden in younger populations and underscores the need for effective interventions and improved access to healthcare.
The report garnered news coverage from various media outlets, including GMA and CNN.
GMA: 17 cancers on the rise in Gen X, millennials
CNN: Millennials and Gen Xers face higher risk of 17 cancers than previous generations, study suggests
Forbes: Cancer Rates Increased Among Millennials And Gen X, Study Suggests—Here’s Why
Yahoo!Life: Cancer rates in millennials, Gen X-ers have risen starkly in recent years, study finds. Experts have 1 prime suspect
NY Post: Gen X, millennials at higher risk for 17 cancers: ‘critical’ report
The Washington Post: Gen X and millennials at higher cancer risk than older generations
NBC News: Gen x, millennials face higher risk of 17 cancers than older generations
ABC News: Incidence of 17 cancers on the rise in younger generations, major new study says
TODAY: Millennials are up to 3 times more likely to develop some types of cancer than boomers, study finds
USA Today: Gen X, Millennials are at greater risk for these types of cancer
The Hill: Gen X, Millennials face higher risk of cancer than previous generations, study shows
AXIOS: Gen X, Millennials more likely to get cancer, new study shows
WTOP-FM: Millennials and Gen Xers face higher risk of 17 cancers than previous generations, study suggests
Healio: Younger generations at increased risk for several cancer types
Researchers found that incidence rates for 17 out of 34 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, continue to rise in successively younger generations. Mortality rates have also increased for certain cancers, such as liver (in females), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers.
The analysis included data from over 23 million cancer diagnoses and more than 7 million cancer deaths between 2000 and 2019. By comparing birth cohort-specific incidence and mortality rates, researchers noted significant increases in cancer rates among those born since 1920, with individuals born in 1990 facing two to three times higher risks for some cancers than those born in 1955.
“These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, lead author of the study and senior principal scientist of surveillance and health equity science at ACS. “Birth cohorts, groups of people classified by their birth year, share unique social, economic, political, and climate environments, which affect their exposure to cancer risk factors during their crucial developmental years. Although we have identified cancer trends associated with birth years, we don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising.”
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science and senior author of the study, warned that without effective population-level interventions, the elevated cancer risk in younger generations could lead to a future increase in overall cancer burden, potentially reversing decades of progress.
Lisa Lacasse, president ACS CAN, highlighted the critical role of accessible, affordable health insurance in improving cancer outcomes. ACS CAN will continue advocating for Medicaid expansion and permanent Affordable Care Act tax subsidies to ensure broader access to care.
Other ACS researchers participating in the study include: Chenxi Jiang, associate scientist II, surveillance research, Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director risk factors and screening research, Dr. Farhad Islami, senior scientific director, cancer disparity research and Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research.
