Study Reveals Rise in Early-Onset Cancers Linked to Overdiagnosis

2025-10-01 05:30:02

(MENAFN) A recent study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that the sharp increase in early-onset cancers among Americans under 50 may largely result from more intensive and earlier cancer detection rather than a true rise in deadly cases.

Researchers examined trends since 1992 and found that the incidence of cancers including thyroid, kidney, small intestine, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, and myeloma types has doubled. However, much of this growth is attributed to heightened diagnostic efforts and overdiagnosis.

The study states that overdiagnosis is “well documented” in cancers like thyroid and kidney, while for other types, earlier detection explains the rise since mortality rates have not climbed despite increased diagnoses.

The report emphasizes, “While not among the fastest growing (0.6% per year), breast cancer remains the most common early-onset cancer, and despite rising diagnoses in women younger than 50 years, mortality has decreased by approximately half.”

Overall, the findings conclude that the surge in early-onset cancer cases “does not consistently signal a rise in the occurrence of clinically meaningful cancer.”

Though some early-onset cancer increases are likely clinically relevant, the study notes these cases appear “small and limited to a few cancer sites.”

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