Recent reports from the American Cancer Society have unveiled a noteworthy shift in cancer rates, revealing an increasing burden on women and younger adults in the United States. For decades, men were at higher risk of cancer, but the latest data shows a narrowing of the gender gap, with women now facing higher rates of certain cancers, particularly those under age 50.
The years between 2002 and 2021 saw a troubling rise in breast and thyroid cancer rates among women under 50, a trend not matched by similar increases in men. In fact, cancer rates in men of the same age group, particularly for melanoma and prostate cancer, have been declining. By 2021, women under age 50 had an 82% higher cancer rate compared to men, up from 51% in 2002.
Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society, highlighted that the shift in cancer rates is notable not only in gender but also in age demographics. “We’ve got more cancers overall, particularly those in younger people, and particularly those in women,” Kamal said, stressing the importance of this demographic change.
The report further reveals that, for the first time, women aged 50 to 64 now have higher cancer rates than men in the same age group. This marks a significant reversal, with cancer in this age bracket historically being more common in men. Researchers attribute this shift to rising incidences of breast and thyroid cancers in younger women, alongside a decrease in melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and prostate cancer cases among men.
Lung cancer, traditionally a disease with a higher incidence in men due to historical smoking patterns, is also seeing a shift. While lung cancer rates have generally declined for both sexes from 2012 to 2021, the decrease has been slower in women, largely because women took longer to start smoking in heavy numbers and have been slower to quit. For the first time, women under the age of 65 are now more likely to develop lung cancer than men, according to Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer for the American Cancer Society.
Despite these concerning trends, the overall cancer mortality rate has decreased by 34% from 1991 to 2022. This decline in cancer-related deaths is attributed to advancements in early detection, improved treatment options, and a decrease in smoking rates. Dr. Neil Iyengar, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, pointed out the role of immunotherapy and genetic sequencing in this positive trend. “Immunotherapy treatments, which use the body’s immune system to fight disease, along with genetic sequencing to match patients with the right treatments, have made a significant impact,” he said.
Additionally, new antibody drugs have enhanced chemotherapy effectiveness while minimizing side effects, contributing to better overall survival rates. These innovations, coupled with progress in cancer treatment, have had a considerable effect on survival outcomes.
The reasons behind the increasing cancer burden on women and younger adults are not entirely clear, though researchers suggest multiple factors could be contributing. Dr. Jennifer Litton, vice president of clinical research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explained that it’s difficult to isolate one specific cause. “The reasons behind these shifts are multifaceted,” she said, pointing to various environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors that may be at play.
As the landscape of cancer diagnosis continues to change, public health experts emphasize the need for tailored prevention and treatment strategies. With cancer rates rising in younger people and women, the focus on early detection, lifestyle modifications, and access to cutting-edge treatments will be essential in addressing the evolving cancer burden.