Children and youth

Study: Obesity-Related Cancers Rising in Young Adults Globally

Published OCT 21 2025

Story

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The Facts

A global study, which analyzed cancer data from 42 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America and Australasia between 2003 and 2017, has found that six cancer types increased in younger adults aged 20-49 in over 75% of examined countries.
The Times (UK)
Independent
The research, published Monday, has revealed that thyroid cancer showed the sharpest increase with a median annual percentage change of 3.57%, followed by kidney cancer at 2.21%, endometrial cancer at 1.66%, colorectal cancer at 1.45%, breast cancer at 0.89% and leukemia at 0.78%.
Annals of Internal Medicine
MedPage Today
Five of the six cancer types that increased in younger adults also showed rising incidence rates in older adults aged 50 and above in most countries, with colorectal cancer being the only exception, where increases were greater in younger populations.
The Scientist
The Institute of Cancer Research
The cancer types showing increased incidence in both age groups were all linked to obesity. According to researchers from Imperial College London, endometrial and kidney cancers demonstrated the strongest associations with excess body weight.
EurekAlert!
Independent
Liver, oral, esophageal and stomach cancer rates decreased in younger adults in more than half of the studied countries, likely due to successful public health interventions targeting tobacco use, alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis.
MedPage Today
Bioengineer.org
The findings challenge previous assumptions that rising cancer rates primarily affect younger populations and suggest that obesity-driven carcinogenic factors influence cancer development across all adult age groups rather than specific demographics.
The Times (UK)
The Institute of Cancer Research

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

Rising cancer rates among young adults stem from obesity-related factors affecting all age groups, not just the young. The data shows thyroid, breast, kidney and endometrial cancers — all obesity-linked — are surging across both younger and older populations globally. This epidemic demands immediate action on obesity prevention and lifestyle changes.

Scimex

Erwin Loh on X

Narrative B

The supposed cancer epidemic among young adults is largely manufactured by medical overdiagnosis rather than real disease increases. While diagnoses have doubled since 1992, death rates remain stable, proving that doctors are simply finding more harmless cases. This false alarm often creates unnecessary fear and subjects healthy young people to invasive treatments in some cases.