The rising burden of cancer in Brazilian young adults: a two-decade analysis

Keywords

Young adults (YA) - cancer incidence - Brazil

Introduction: The global increase in cancer incidence among young adults (YA) has sparked significant concern, necessitating focused research in Brazil, where such trends are underreported.

Objective: This study aims to assess cancer diagnoses among YA in a Brazilian tertiary cancer center over the past two decades, with an emphasis on identifying patterns in epidemiological characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted, encompassing all patients diagnosed with cancer between 2005 and 2024. The study categorized patients into two groups: those aged 20-49 years (young adults, YA) and those aged 50 years and above (late-onset cancer, LOC). The incidence of cancers over the years in YA and also in the ratio of YA to LOC cases was calculated annually. Primary tumor types, staging, and overall mortality rates were also analyzed. Linear regression models were applied to determine yearly trends and statistical significance in cancer incidence.

Results: A total of 28,630 cancer cases were documented during the study period, with 7,045 (24.53%) occurring in YA. The most prevalent cancer types among YA were breast cancer (18.8%), lymphoma (13.3%), head and neck cancer (8.1%), cervical cancer (7.4%), and colorectal cancer (7.0%). A statistically significant increase in overall cancer incidence was observed, with an average percentage annual rise of 29.9 cases in YA and 74.7 cases in LOC. No significant change was found in the YA to LOC ratio over time, except for cervical cancer, which showed a significant average annual increase of 9.52% in the YA to LOC ratio. Colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcoma exhibited a statistically significant annual incidence increase in YA. Mortality rates among YA for these cancer types also demonstrated a statistically significant upward trend, indicating a gradual increase in the percentage of YA deaths over time.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for optimized cancer prevention strategies, particularly in primary and secondary care, tailored to YA. The significant rise in incidence and mortality, especially in certain cancer types, highlights the importance of targeted interventions and increased awareness to address the growing burden of cancer in this population.

Corresponding author: Henrique Goldhart Larssen (e-mail: [e-mail]).

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
06 May 2025