Patterns in Cancer Incidence Among People Younger Than 50 Years in the US, 2010 to 2019

Emerging data suggest that the incidence of early-onset cancers, defined as cancers diagnosed in people younger than 50 years, is increasing, but updated data are limited.

To characterize the patterns in the incidence of early-onset cancers in the US from 2010 to 2019 and provide granular data on the cancers with the fastest-growing incidence rates. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study analyzed data from 17 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019. Age-standardized incidence rates per 100 000 people were extracted for early-onset cancers, with rates age adjusted to the US standard population. A total of 562 145 patients with early-onset cancer between 2010 and 2019 were identified and included. Data were analyzed from October 16, 2022, to May 23, 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were incidence rates and descriptive epidemiological data for people younger than 50 years with cancer. The annual percentage change (APC) of the age-standardized incidence rate was estimated using the Joinpoint regression program.