Early Onset Cancer rates rising faster than in older adults, conference to hear

Posted on: 14 April 2026

For the first time in history, young adults are seeing cancer rates climb faster than older adults, the 13th International Cancer Conference hosted by Trinity College Dublin, will hear this week. 

Speakers at the conference will address, among other topics, the global surge in early onset cancers, especially in colon cancer, which is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women under 50 in the US. Young adults born in 1990 are twice as likely to get colorectal cancer (CRC) than those born in 1950. 

Analysis shows rising incidence of CRC in adults under 50 across many countries; in the US CRC is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second cause of death in women under 50. In recent decades, the incidence of early onset cancers has been steadily rising, particularly since the 1990s, with rates increasing by 1–2% annually. Cancer is no longer a disease of old age- people under 50 are now the only age group globally where cancer incidence has risen continuously for more than 25 years. More than 1 million young adults worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year, making young onset cancer the leading cause of death in this age group.  

The 13th International Cancer Conference is taking place from 14–15 April, under the theme of “Transforming Cancer Research and Care – Changing Lives.” This biennial event brings together national and international clinical and scientific leaders from the cancer field. The programme includes sessions on cancer screening and prevention, molecular and precision oncology, cancer immunology, and living with and beyond cancer. 

The Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute-Ireland’s first OECI (Organisation of European Cancer Institutes)-accredited comprehensive cancer centre launched a dedicated Young Onset Cancer Centre in 2025. Established with significant support from the Irish Cancer Society, the centre has already received over 100 patient referrals. It is designed to meet the specific needs of patients with young-onset cancer, taking a holistic approach that recognises the wider impacts of diagnosis and treatment on areas such as fertility, employment, and family life. 

Maeve Lowery, academic director at Trinity St James Cancer Institute (TSJCI) and Professor of Translational Cancer Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, said:  

"Cancer diagnoses in men and women under 50 years of age are rising across different cancer types and in multiple countries. The Young Onset Cancer Programme at TSJCI, supported by the Irish Cancer Society, is working to identify and address the complex needs of our young patients with cancer.  The session dedicated to young onset cancers at the TSJCI Cancer Conference is free and open to the public, aiming to raise awareness and inspire research in this crucial area." 

Dr Jose Perea-Garcia, Professor of Surgery at the European University of Madrid, Lead researcher for the Global Early onset Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GEOCODE), said: 

“Given that early-onset cancers, and early-onset colorectal cancer in particular, are diseases with increasing incidence that affect a largely unscreened population, along with the corresponding psychosocial impact they generate, all our efforts must focus on transforming research and clinical care by generating new knowledge about this subgroup of early-onset cancers.  

“By improving our understanding of the underlying risk and biological mechanisms, progressive findings can contribute to more precise prevention and earlier detection to identify population at risk of developing this subtype of cancer, and improved treatment strategies, with potential implications for colorectal cancer in general.” 

Other areas to be addressed by this conference include cancer screening and prevention; the use of liquid biopsies; precision oncology and the importance of research and education in comprehensive cancer care. Full details are available here. 

The Burkitt Lecture will be delivered at the conference by Professor Charles Swanton, who will be awarded a Burkitt Medal at the conference dinner. Professor Swanton is a clinician who focuses his work on understanding the challenges inherent in the management of metastatic cancer and their drug resistant and incurable nature. Denis Burkitt, internationally renowned for his pioneering work including the discovery of Burkitt’s lymphoma, was a Trinity graduate. 

ENDS 

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