Institute of Cancer Research And Imperial College London Find Obesity Clue Behind Rising 11 Cancers In England

A major analysis by scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London found that 11 cancers are becoming more common in young people in England, and it points to a “first clue” behind a decades-long rise that has puzzled researchers.

“- Published Eleven cancers are becoming more common in young people in England, a major analysis shows”

BBC

The BBC reported that the study shows “that a decades-long pattern of people becoming more overweight is likely to play some role,” while stressing that “cancer in young people is still rare.”

BBC

The analysis identified cancers increasing in people in their late teens, 20s, 30s and 40s, including bowel cancer, thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, pancreatic, womb lining (endometrial), mouth, breast and ovarian cancers.

The BBC said the researchers found that smoking levels, alcohol consumption, levels of physical exercise, the amount of red and processed meat, and the number of diets low in fibre were “all either getting better or staying the same,” leaving overweight and obesity as the only data aligned with the increase.

ITVX likewise described obesity as “one of the key drivers,” while emphasizing that “the true causes are still not fully understood.”

The Guardian framed obesity as “a key factor,” but also reported that researchers said it is “not sufficient to explain the overall rise,” indicating unknown causes remain.

Across the coverage, the study’s publication venue is consistent: the findings were published in the journal BMJ Oncology, as the BBC and multiple other outlets stated.

The study quantified how uncommon cancer remains in younger age groups even as incidence rises.

The BBC reported that “One in 1,000 young people (aged in their 20s, 30s, and 40s) get a cancer diagnosis each year,” compared with “around one in 100 for older age groups (in their 50s, 60s and 70s).”

Doctissimo

ITVX provided a more granular England snapshot for 2023, saying “around 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in people aged 20 to 49 in England – roughly one in 1,000 people,” while “244,000” were diagnosed in those aged 50 to 79.

ITVX also listed the most common cancers among the younger group, stating “breast cancer was most common (8,500 cases), while bowel cancer accounted for 3,000 cases and melanoma skin cancer 2,800.”

The BBC described which cancers were rising exclusively in younger people, saying “Only bowel and ovarian cancers were increasing exclusively in the young,” while the other nine were increasing in older adults too.

The Guardian similarly reported that the increase among younger adults “mirrored trends seen in people aged over 50, with the exception of bowel and ovarian cancer,” and it added that bowel and ovarian cancer were rising only among younger people by “3% and 0.7% a year on average respectively.”

New Scientist summarized the same core pattern, stating that “The two exceptions were ovarian and bowel cancer,” and it described the study’s conclusion that obesity is only part of the explanation.

Several named researchers and advocates responded to the findings, combining concern with calls for action.

“The alarm bell is ringing louder and louder”

EL PAÍS

The BBC quoted Prof Montserrat García Closas saying, “It is very worrisome to hear the news that cancers are increasing in young people,” and she added that “there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of cancer by having a healthy lifestyle - for instance, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.”

ITVX and the Independent both described the same scientific emphasis that obesity is a clue but not a full explanation, with ITVX saying “they emphasised that the true causes are still not fully understood.”

Prof Marc Gunter of Imperial College London was quoted in ITVX explaining a biological mechanism, saying, “We know people with obesity have higher levels of insulin, and insulin is a growth factor and has been linked to cancer.”

The BBC also included Gunter’s broader uncertainty, reporting that there was “discussion about ultra-processed foods, forever chemical (or PFAS) and antibiotic use,” but that he said there is “a lot we don't know.”

The Guardian added a public-health framing through Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, quoting Michelle Mitchell: “Overweight and obesity doesn’t explain the rise in full though.”

In the Institute of Cancer Research’s own statement, Prof Montserrat García‑Closas said, “Excess weight is an important contributor, although it cannot fully account for the scale of the rise in bowel and other cancers,” and she continued that “multiple factors – including early‑life exposures – may be acting together.”

While all outlets described the same underlying study, they emphasized different aspects of the story, from the “first clue” framing to specific policy implications and biological hypotheses.

The BBC led with the human story of Bradley Coombes, describing his mother Caroline Mousdale saying he was “a really fit and healthy young man” and that it took “18 months of symptoms to get diagnosed,” before returning to the study’s conclusion that overweight and obesity were the only lifestyle trend aligned with the cancer increase.

GB News

ITVX foregrounded the statistical comparison between age groups and listed case counts, stating “In 2023, around 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in people aged 20 to 49 in England” and “244,000” in ages 50 to 79, while also quoting the study’s emphasis that “increases in body mass index (BMI) alone are not enough.”

The Guardian framed the findings as a policy and prevention issue, quoting Prof Montserrat García‑Closas that “However, we cannot wait to act,” and it also included Michelle Mitchell’s view that “Improvements in detection are likely to also be playing a part.”

The Independent similarly stressed that the driver is “not smoking or poor diet,” and it quoted García‑Closas’s media briefing line that “Our main conclusion is that although BMI is our best clue, much of the increase still remains unexplained,” while also describing additional suspected contributors like “ultra‑processed foods (UPFs), antibiotic use and air pollution.”

New Scientist used a cautionary tone, stating “Cancer is increasing in young people and we still don't know why,” and it highlighted that the rise is “far from a complete explanation” and that the analysis suggests “a combination of multiple factors.”

The Institute of Cancer Research’s own release leaned into the study’s methodological scope, saying researchers examined “incidence trends across 22 cancer types in women and 21 in men,” and it concluded that “We urgently need to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat bowel cancer more effectively.”

The study’s authors and commentators pointed toward prevention priorities and further research, while also warning that the explanation is incomplete.

“Usually, older age is a risk factor for cancers”

HuffPost UK

The BBC reported that the researchers said “it's important to prevent all cancers, not just the

HuffPost UK

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