New Cancer Patterns Signal Major Shift in Women's Health

Cancer rates are rising among young and middle-aged women in the United States, marking a notable shift in a disease traditionally associated with aging, according to a report released by the American Cancer Society.

The report reveals while overall cancer survival rates have improved, six of the 10 most common cancers are increasing, with women bearing a disproportionate burden of new cases. These include breast and uterine cancers, as well as colorectal cancer in people under 65, prostate cancer, melanoma and pancreatic cancer.

"These unfavorable trends are tipped toward women," said Rebecca L. Siegel, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society and the report's lead author. "Of all the cancers that are increasing, some are increasing in men, but it's lopsided - more of this increase is happening in women."

The American Cancer Society projects 2,041,910 new cancer cases will occur this year, with 618,120 Americans expected to die from the disease. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States but ranks as the primary cause of death for Americans under 85, according to the report.

The report indicates a particular rise in cancer rates among women under 50, termed early-onset cancer, as well as among those aged 50 to 64. This contrasts with men in the same age groups, where rates remain stable or are declining, the society reported.

A notable development emerged in 2021 when lung cancer incidence in women under 65 surpassed that of men for the first time, with 15.7 cases per 100,000 women compared to 15.4 per 100,000 men, according to the report. While lung cancer rates have decreased over the past decade, the decline has been more rapid in men.

"There is growing concern that e-cigarettes and vaping may contribute to this burden in the future, given their carcinogenic potential and wide popularity," the report stated.

Breast cancer rates have shown a steady increase of about 1% annually between 2012 and 2021, according to the society. The most pronounced increases have occurred among women under 50, with substantial rises noted in Hispanic American, Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

The American Cancer Society report highlights concerning racial disparities in cancer outcomes. Black and Native Americans face mortality rates two to three times higher than white Americans for certain cancers despite overall improvements in survival rates.

Cervical cancer, widely considered preventable in the United States, has shown an unexpected increase among women aged 30 to 44. This rise comes despite significant progress since the mid-1970s when Pap smear screening became widely available. A Harris Poll survey conducted last year of more than 1,100 U.S. women found that 72% had postponed doctor visits that would have included screening, while half were unaware of recommended screening frequencies.

Uterine cancer stands out as the only cancer type where survival rates have decreased over the past 40 years, the society reported. The report also notes rising death rates from liver cancer among women and oral cavity cancers in both sexes.

Pancreatic cancer continues its decades-long increase in both men and women, now ranking as the third leading cause of cancer death. Death rates have risen steadily since record-keeping began, reaching 13 per 100,000 in men and 10 per 100,000 in women, up from approximately five per 100,000 for both sexes in the 1930s, according to the report. The five-year survival rate remains at 13%.

"We need to make progress in specifically understanding what is driving pancreatic cancers to grow, what treatment will then stave off these cancers, what can prevent it in the first place, and how we can screen for it early," said Dr. Amy Abernethy, an oncologist and co-founder of Highlander Health, which focuses on accelerating clinical research.

Rising cancer rates among younger populations have led some experts to consider broader contributing factors. Neil Iyengar, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, suggests environmental exposures may play a role alongside traditional risk factors like lifestyle, genetics and family history.

"I think that the rise in not just one but a variety of cancers in younger people, particularly in young women, suggests there is something broader going on than variations in individual genetics or population genetics," Iyengar said. "It strongly points to the possibility that environmental exposures and our lifestyles in the U.S. are contributing to the rise of cancers in younger people."

The report addresses ongoing concerns about tobacco use, identifying it as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Smoking will account for nearly 500 cancer deaths daily in 2025, primarily from lung cancer, the society reported.

Risk factors for breast cancer in younger women include genetics, family history and heavy drinking, with the report noting an increase in alcohol consumption among women under 50. For older women, excess body weight may contribute to cancer risk.

The American Cancer Society report emphasizes the importance of preventive measures and regular screening in reducing cancer risk. These include maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol consumption, following a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in red and processed meat, engaging in physical activity and attending regular cancer screenings.