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Why Is Cancer Rising Among Younger People? Understanding the Reasons Behind the Trend

 

8-min read

Updated on 2026-8-11

Author: AIA Content Editorial Team

A young adult discussing health screening results with a healthcare professional in a clinic, representing early-onset cancer awareness, cancer screening, and the importance of early detection.
Cancer has long been regarded as a disease associated with older adults. However, the reality is that cancer may be much closer to young people than many imagine.
 
In recent years, the medical community has become increasingly concerned about a growing trend: certain types of cancer are being diagnosed more frequently among young adults. Cancers diagnosed before the age of 50 are generally classified as Early-Onset Cancer.
 
As early as 2024, global research highlighted cancer among adolescents and young adults as a significant public health issue. The study found that, in 2022, there were approximately 1.3 million new cancer cases and around 378,000 cancer-related deaths among individuals aged 15 to 39 worldwide. With demographic changes and the continuing rise in the global cancer burden, researchers expect these numbers to increase further in the years ahead1.
 
Subsequently, a 2026 commentary published in the leading medical journal The Lancet noted that many countries have observed a rise in early-onset cancers in recent years. Colorectal cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and kidney cancer are among the cancer types receiving particular attention2.
 
A similar trend has also been observed in Hong Kong. According to the latest Hong Kong Cancer Statistics Overview released by the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, early-onset cancers among women have shown an upward trend in recent years. Among individuals aged 20 to 49, the number of female cancer cases is approximately 1.6 times that of males. Incidence rates of thyroid cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer continue to rise among young women. For men, thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer have also shown increasing trends3.
 
What factors may be driving this rise in cancer among younger generations?

Understanding Why Cancer Is Rising Among Younger People

Convenience-Driven Lifestyles May Be Quietly Increasing Health Risks

Modern life emphasizes efficiency and convenience. Yet behind this convenience, our health may be changing in ways we do not immediately notice.
 
As daily life becomes increasingly fast-paced, many people rely on food delivery services, ready-made meals, and convenience foods to meet their dietary needs. At the same time, work and entertainment have become increasingly digital, leading people to spend more time sitting and less time engaging in physical activity.
 
According to The Lancet, obesity, metabolic health issues, and lifestyle changes are considered important factors associated with the rise of early-onset cancers2.
 
The World Cancer Research Fund also notes that overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and endometrial cancer4.
 
In other words, as diets become increasingly calorie-dense and physical activity levels continue to decline, health risks may gradually build up without us even realizing it.

Late Nights, Stress, and Irregular Routines Have Become the New Normal

Academic pressure, workplace competition, shift work, and prolonged use of digital devices have left many urban dwellers living with chronic sleep deprivation and high levels of stress.
 
Although there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that staying up late directly causes cancer, researchers believe that long-term sleep deprivation, disruption of the body's biological clock, and chronic stress may affect immune function, hormonal regulation, and overall health5.
 
For this reason, maintaining a regular routine and ensuring adequate rest are increasingly recognized as important aspects of overall health management, alongside healthy eating and regular exercise.

Greater Health Awareness and Advances in Medical Technology Are Leading to Earlier Detection

Another important factor is the growing emphasis on preventive healthcare and routine health screening. Advances in early detection and diagnostic technologies have also enabled more cancer cases to be identified at earlier stages2,3.
 
For example, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has improved the effectiveness of lung cancer screening, while colonoscopy allows abnormalities in the colon to be detected earlier. Advances in genetic testing and molecular diagnostics have also helped identify certain cancers at earlier stages. In addition, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology can analyze characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA found in blood samples, helping identify individuals at higher risk of nasopharyngeal cancer and enhancing early screening capabilities6.

As Health Risks Appear Earlier, What Should We Be Paying More Attention To?

Although most cancers still occur in older adults, a growing body of research suggests that many health risk factors begin accumulating long before disease develops1,2.
 
More importantly, when serious illnesses occur at a younger age, their impact extends beyond health alone. They may also affect career progression, earning potential, and long-term life planning.
 
For young adults pursuing higher education, building careers, purchasing homes, or starting families, a cancer diagnosis during a critical life stage can affect not only physical health, but also income, family responsibilities, and future aspirations.

When Cancer Disrupts Your Life Plans: Two Major Financial Risks

For young adults, the impact of cancer can be particularly far-reaching. Unlike retirees or individuals who have already completed major life milestones, many young patients are still at the stage of building their careers, purchasing property, starting families, or raising children. A cancer diagnosis may bring not only treatment costs, but also disruptions to income, savings goals, and future plans.
 
As such, the financial risks associated with cancer generally fall into two categories:
  • Medical expenses
  • Living expenses

Risk #1: Rising Medical Expenses

Cancer patients often require ongoing diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up care, with medical and rehabilitation arrangements potentially continuing for many years. For some patients, targeted therapy alone may cost approximately HK$70,000 per month. When follow-up consultations, tests and other medical costs are included, total treatment expenses can easily exceed HK$1 million7.
 
Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) products recognised by the Health Bureau cover specified non-surgical cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, within the scope of coverage. This allows patients to focus more on their treatment and recovery journey, subject to the terms and conditions, coverage scope and benefit limits of the individual policy.

Risk #2: Financial Pressure Caused by Loss of Income

Compared with medical expenses, the impact on income is even more easily overlooked. Rent or mortgage payments, household expenses, and the responsibility of caring for parents or children do not stop because of illness. Therefore, in addition to medical costs, many people also consider how to cope with a potential interruption of income illness, so that they and their families can maintain their normal life and original financial arrangements during the illness.
 
Critical illness insurance generally provides a lump-sum cash benefit after the insured is diagnosed with a specified critical illness and meets the relevant policy terms, definitions, and other policy conditions. This benefit gives the insured the flexibility to freely arrange the use of the funds.
 
As cancer survival rates continue to improve, more and more patients are successfully completing treatment and entering recovery. However, some patients still face the risk of recurrence or a second cancer diagnosis2. In response to this trend, some critical illness insurance plans in the market have recently incorporated multiple-protection designs to provide patients with additional financial support.

Prepare for the Future While You're Healthy

People are living longer than ever before, and effective risk management should not begin only after a problem arises.
 
Developing healthy lifestyle habits, monitoring your health regularly, and planning ahead with appropriate medical and critical illness protection can help preserve more options when facing life's uncertainties, allowing you to continue pursuing the goals and future you envision for yourself.
*This information is owned by AIA, and may not be copied or reproduced without AIA’s written consent. You may not copy or store this content on any other website or content platform.
 
This information is for general reference only and does not constitute sales advice, product recommendations, or service offers. Before purchasing an insurance product, customers must complete a financial needs analysis. AIA does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the content and information provided. AIA reserves the right to pursue legal action and seek compensation for any infringement and/or legal issues. "Hong Kong" herein refers to "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region".

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1. Hughes, T., Harper, A., Gupta, S., et al. (2024). The current and future global burden of cancer among adolescents and young adults: A population-based study. The Lancet Oncology, 25(12), 1614–1624.
The current and future global burden of cancer among adolescents and young adults: a population-based study - The Lancet Oncology
2. The Lancet. (2026). Cancer in young adults: out of the shadows?. The Lancet, 407(10548).
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01279-1/fulltext
3. Hong Kong Cancer Registry. (2025). Overview of Hong Kong Cancer Statistics 2023. Hospital Authority. https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/pdf/overview/Overview%20of%20HK%20Cancer%20Stat%202023.pdf
4. World Cancer Research Fund International. (2024). Body fatness and weight gain and the risk of cancer. https://www.wcrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Body-fatness-and-weight-gain_0.pdf
5. Harvard Gazette. (2025). Cancer is rising among younger people — why?
6. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (2023–2025). Plasma EBV DNA screening and NGS-based nasopharyngeal cancer risk stratification research.
https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/en/press/cuhk-study-concludes-that-plasma-ebv-dna-screening-can-detect-early-asymptomatic-nasopharyngeal-cancer-and-reflect-the-risk-of-future-cancer-development/
7. 香港01。（2024）。《藥費一河之隔差九倍　癌症病人憂醫保不續保　北上求醫「無得避」》。
 https://www.hk01.com/社會新聞/1007089/藥費一河之隔差九倍-癌症病人憂醫保不續保-北上求醫-無得避

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