Cancer rates among younger Scots women are soaring in Scotland, new figures have shown.
Diagnoses in women under 50 have risen, while cases of bowel cancer in both genders have soared.
The figures are revealed in Scotland’s cancer statistics for 2022 and are the latest in a global trend of rising cancers in younger people.
Scientists have a number of theories about why cases are increasing in the under 50s, including more awareness of symptoms, and improved diagnosis.
But there are also fears diet and lifestyle are contributing.
The Public Health Scotland report shows 36,036 new cancers registered in Scotland in 2022, an increase of one per cent compared with 2021.
This is in-line with a long-term trend of increasing number of cancer diagnoses over time.
In females aged under 50 the overall cancer rate has increased by 6.5 per cent since 2012, from 123 cancers per 100,000 population to 131 per 100,000 population.
The rate in males under 50 remained fairly constant over this period.
However, risks of bowel cancer have ‘increased significantly’ with a 30 per cent increase, from 6 per 100,000 population to 8 per 100,000 population in both females and males under 50 years old between 2012 and 2022.
Bowel cancers, also known as colorectal cancers, are linked to obesity, eating red and processed meat, drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough dietary fibre.
There has been an increased awareness thanks to campaigners such as ‘Bowelbabe’ Dame Deborah James, who died from bowel cancer aged 40 in 2022.
Dame Deborah was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35 and became an outspoken campaigner, encouraging people to check for signs of the deadly disease.
But there have been a number of other high-profile people diagnosed with cancer at an early age.
They include Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, who announced in March this year that she was undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was found following an abdominal procedure. She has since completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Last month Scots cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, 48, announced he had terminal prostate cancer.
Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said the rise in cancer in the under 50s ‘is deeply concerning and should be investigated.’
She added: ‘Scottish Labour will improve access to screening services including the roll out of cervical screening self-sampling so cancers can be identified early and many tragedies averted.’
A study published in the British Medical Journal last year found cases of early onset of cancer – among the under 50s – increased overall globally by 79 per cent between 1990 and 2019.
Diets high in red meat and low in fruit as well as high alcohol consumption and tobacco use were pinned as the main risk factors.
It is not known why cancers are rising overall in women, but that may be linked to puberty starting earlier in girls, and women having babies later in life, exposing them to hormones for longer.
Sophia Lowes, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Globally and in the UK, we’re seeing a small increase in rates of early onset cancers, affecting people aged 25-49.
‘This increase is partly due to population growth – though this doesn’t change how difficult it is for those who are diagnosed with cancer.
‘There isn’t a clear answer to what’s causing the rise, but preventable risk factors, genetics and improvements to early detection might all play a part.
‘Though this may seem alarming, it’s important to remember that cancer is primarily a disease of older age, with the majority of new cancer cases worldwide being diagnosed in those aged 50 and above.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘One of the key risk factors for developing cancer is age, and with an ageing population we are seeing a long-term trend of increasing cancer incidence over time. Our Cancer Strategy published last year makes clear our commitment to not only treat but prevent cancer where possible.’
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