Health
Early-Onset Cancer Rates Rising in U.S., But Deaths Mostly Stable, Study Finds

A new U.S. government study has revealed that while cancer diagnoses among people under 50 are on the rise, the overall death rates for most types of cancer in this age group remain stable.
Published Thursday in the journal Cancer Discovery, the study is one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of early-onset cancers, analyzing data from more than two million cases diagnosed in Americans aged 15 to 49 between 2010 and 2019.
The findings show that 14 out of 33 cancer types had increasing incidence rates in at least one younger age group. The most significant increases were seen in breast, colorectal, kidney, and uterine cancers. Women accounted for about 63 percent of the early-onset cases.
“This pattern generally reflects something profound going on,” said Tim Rebbeck of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who was not involved in the study. “We need to fund research that will help us understand why this is happening.”
The study found that, compared to 2010 data, there were 4,800 more breast cancer cases, 2,000 additional colorectal cancers, 1,800 more kidney cancers, and 1,200 extra uterine cancers by 2019.
Despite the rising numbers, researchers emphasized a key reassurance: death rates for most of these cancers are not increasing. However, exceptions were noted—colorectal, uterine, and testicular cancers saw slight rises in mortality among younger adults.
The causes behind the rise in early-onset cancers are not fully understood. The study’s datasets do not include information on potential risk factors such as obesity, lifestyle, or access to healthcare. However, researchers, including lead author Dr. Meredith Shiels of the National Cancer Institute, highlighted obesity as a possible driver.
“Several of these cancer types are known to be associated with excess body weight,” said Dr. Shiels. She also pointed to advances in detection and changing screening practices as possible contributors to earlier diagnoses.
Breast cancer trends may also be influenced by shifting reproductive patterns, such as women having children later in life, which has been associated with increased cancer risk due to fewer years of pregnancy and breastfeeding—factors known to lower risk.
Not all cancer types followed the upward trend. Rates of more than a dozen cancers, including lung and prostate cancer, are decreasing among younger people. Researchers attribute the lung cancer decline to reduced smoking rates, while updated PSA screening guidelines are likely behind the drop in prostate cancer diagnoses.
Experts plan to convene later this year to further investigate the growing early-onset cancer burden and explore targeted prevention strategies.
Health
UK Scientists Develop Tool to Measure ‘Heart Age,’ Offering New Insights for Cardiovascular Health

Researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a new tool that can determine how old a person’s heart is in comparison to their actual age, offering a potential breakthrough in the early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The study, led by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA), examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 557 individuals across the UK, Spain, and Singapore. Of those, 336 participants had known health risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Using these scans, the researchers measured structural and functional markers of cardiac health — including the size of the heart’s chambers and how effectively it pumps blood. These indicators were then used to create an algorithm that calculates the heart’s “functional age.”
The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, revealed that individuals with cardiovascular risk factors had hearts that were, on average, 4.6 years older than their chronological age. In people with obesity, the gap was even wider, indicating faster cardiac ageing.
“People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should – sometimes by decades,” said Dr. Pankaj Garg, a cardiologist and lead author of the study. “This tool gives us a way to visualize and quantify that risk.”
While the tool shows promise, researchers noted some limitations. The model does not account for how long patients had lived with their conditions, and the study group primarily included older individuals who had survived with these health issues — raising concerns about survivor bias. The relatively small sample size also means the tool needs broader validation before it can be widely adopted.
Despite these limitations, the research team believes the tool could have valuable clinical applications in the future. Dr. Garg said it may help doctors counsel patients more effectively about their cardiovascular health and recommend lifestyle changes or treatments to slow heart ageing.
“By knowing your heart’s true age, patients could get advice or treatments to slow down the ageing process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes,” he said. “It’s about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease.”
The team hopes the tool could eventually be integrated into routine care, empowering patients to take early steps toward improving their heart health through diet, exercise, and medical intervention.
Health
Global Health Inequities Persist as Progress on Life Expectancy and Mortality Slows, Says WHO
Health
Measles Surges Across Europe as Health Authorities Sound the Alarm

Measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, is spreading rapidly across Europe, with health officials warning of continued outbreaks in the coming months. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), over 4,500 cases have been reported across the European Union so far this year, with Romania experiencing the most severe impact.
Romania has recorded 3,203 measles cases through the end of March, making it the epicentre of the EU’s measles crisis. Four people have died, the only reported measles-related fatalities in the bloc this year. Experts attribute the surge in Romania to persistent vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and a strained healthcare system. The country’s measles vaccination rate stood at just 62% in 2023—well below the 95% threshold needed to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks.
France has reported 345 measles cases this year, with authorities noting a significant number of infections linked to international travel, particularly from Morocco. At least 41 cases were directly tied to imported infections. Although France had a relatively high vaccination rate of 93% in 2023, unvaccinated clusters remain vulnerable to outbreaks.
Italy, with 227 cases so far in 2025, ranks just behind France in the number of infections reported outside Romania. The country’s vaccination coverage—85% in 2023—also falls short of the level needed to prevent the disease from spreading.
In the Netherlands, 204 cases have been recorded in the first quarter of the year, many stemming from travelers arriving from Morocco and Romania. Dutch health authorities reported localized clusters, particularly in primary schools and childcare facilities. Despite no national outbreak being declared, the country’s vaccination rate of 81% remains one of the lowest in the EU.
Spain has reported 202 measles infections in 2025, with several localized outbreaks and a number of imported cases. The country’s 92% vaccination coverage places it near herd immunity, but health officials caution that gaps in immunization still leave room for outbreaks, especially when cases are introduced from abroad.
Health experts across Europe are urging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, emphasizing that the measles vaccine is both safe and effective. The ECDC continues to monitor the situation and warns that without improved vaccination coverage, the risk of further outbreaks remains high.
Last year was the worst for measles in Europe and Central Asia since 1997, with over 120,000 cases. Authorities fear 2025 could follow a similar trajectory if vaccination rates do not improve.
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