Recent research from the American Cancer Society has revealed a concerning trend: Women under the age of 65, particularly younger adults, are now more likely than men of the same age group to be diagnosed with cancer. This shift highlights an increasing cancer burden among women, particularly those under 50.
Despite this alarming trend, the report also brings some good news. Over the past 30 years, cancer mortality rates in the United States have decreased by 34 percent. This significant decline is primarily attributed to a reduction in deaths from the four most common types of cancer: breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
These findings, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, underscore the advancements made in cancer treatment, early detection, and prevention efforts.
A Concerning Shift in Cancer Diagnoses
While survival rates have improved, the report highlights troubling statistics for American women. Among adults under 50, women are now 82 percent more likely than men in the same age range to be diagnosed with cancer. Two decades ago, the disparity was significantly lower, with women having only a 51 percent higher chance of developing cancer.
Furthermore, middle-aged women have now surpassed men in cancer diagnosis rates—a reversal from previous years when men had higher incidence rates.
“Continued reductions in cancer mortality because of drops in smoking, better treatment, and earlier detection is certainly great news,” says the study’s lead author, Rebecca Siegel, MPH, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society.
“However, this progress is tempered by rising incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often the family caregivers, and a shifting cancer burden from men to women,” she adds.
Why Are More Younger Women Getting Cancer Than Men?
According to Dr. Siegel, multiple factors contribute to this shift in cancer prevalence. One major factor is obesity, which accounts for nearly twice as many cancer cases in women compared to men.
Another contributing factor is changing reproductive patterns. Women today are having fewer children and at later ages, increasing their risk for breast and uterine cancers. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as binge drinking—known to raise the risk of breast and other cancers—have become more prevalent among women in their 30s and 40s.
“Things like obesity, physical inactivity, diets low in fiber and high in processed food, and alcohol intake have increased over the past decades overall, and in younger people, and we’re seeing their consequences younger, too,” says Erica Warner, ScD, MPH, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who was not involved in the study.
Women of Color Face Higher Cancer Risks
Racial disparities remain a significant factor in cancer diagnoses and mortality rates, affecting certain groups of women more than others.
According to the report, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) individuals have the highest overall cancer incidence and mortality rates among women. This population also experiences the highest death rates from cervical cancer, colorectal tumors, and lung cancer.
Black women face particularly high risks as well. The report found that they have the highest mortality rates from breast cancer and are two to three times more likely to die from uterine or endometrial cancers than women in any other racial group.
How Women Can Reduce Their Cancer Risk
While some cancer risk factors—such as genetics—are beyond individual control, there are many steps women can take to lower their chances of developing cancer. Dr. Warner emphasizes the importance of lifestyle modifications to help mitigate these risks.
“I always tell people that there are some risks for cancer that are beyond our control, like genetics,” Dr. Warner says. “But we can try to control what we can, to the best of our abilities, through lifestyle.”
Warner suggests adopting the following preventive habits:
- Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables while limiting processed foods and alcohol can help reduce cancer risk.
- Regular Exercise: Staying physically active can improve overall health and lower cancer risk.
- Adequate Sleep: Ensuring sufficient rest is essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
- Stress Management: Reducing stress through mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or other coping mechanisms can be beneficial.
- Strong Social Connections: Maintaining positive relationships with family and friends can support mental and emotional well-being.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, Dr. Warner stresses the importance of routine cancer screenings. Staying up to date with mammograms and other recommended tests can help detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.
“These are all things that can help us have healthier minds and bodies, reduce the risk of cancer, and if you do develop cancer, find it when it is most treatable or potentially curable,” Dr. Warner says.
As cancer patterns shift and more young and middle-aged women face an increased risk, awareness and proactive health choices become even more crucial. By adopting preventive measures and staying vigilant with screenings, women can take steps to protect themselves against this growing health threat.