While the research identifies obesity as a major cause, scientists say it does not account for the extent to which cancer rates are increasing
Obesity is a key factor for the rising rates of cancer among younger people in England, according to a study.
There are 11 types of cancer, including bowel and ovarian cancer, that are increasing among people aged 20 to 49 between 2001 and 2019, according to analysis by researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London.
Obesity is the only known behavioural risk factor that has been increasing in younger adults over this period, while more established risks such as smoking, alcohol, red meat and physical inactivity have all remained stable or in decline in England.
This led researchers to conclude that the increase in obesity was a key factor behind the rising rate of cancer cases. Excess weight was associated with 10 of the cancers identified, including thyroid, kidney and pancreatic cancer, with oral cancer being the only exception.
