More young adults have cancer, especially women
The number of young adults in the Netherlands diagnosed with cancer has risen significantly over the past 35 years, with women aged 18 to 39 now 1.5 times more likely than men to receive a cancer diagnosis in that age group. This is according to new data released by the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (IKNL).
Last year, nearly 4,200 people between the ages of 18 and 39 in the Netherlands were diagnosed with cancer. In 1989, that number stood at around 3,100. This rise has occurred despite a decline in the total number of people in that age group over the same period.
“This growth is actually seen in all Western countries,” said IKNL researcher Henrike Karim-Kos. “That indicates the increase is likely due to people’s lifestyles. There are more and more studies pointing in that direction. Think of less physical activity, more consumption of processed food, and stress.”
For the first time, IKNL has published data specifically comparing cancer rates in young men and women. The results show that among people aged 18 to 39, women are diagnosed with cancer 1.5 times more often than men. This pattern is the reverse of what is seen in the general population, where men are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer overall.
Karim-Kos explained the difference: “Breast cancer is much more common in women and can occur at a young age, while in men, the most common cancer is prostate cancer, which typically appears later in life.”
The cause of the increase remains unclear. “We’re seeing this rise in neighboring countries as well,” said Karim-Kos. “If there had been a single cause, we would have found it by now. So it’s probably a combination of several factors.”
Between 1989 and 2024, the number of breast cancer diagnoses in young women increased from nearly 600 to 878. The trend highlights breast cancer as a significant contributor to the higher incidence of cancer in young women.
Young men have also seen a dramatic rise in cancer diagnoses, especially testicular cancer. The number of diagnoses rose from 241 in 1989 to 574 in 2024. According to IKNL, this represents an “explosive increase.” However, this surge is now primarily occurring among men over the age of 30. Among men aged 20 to 30, the rate of testicular cancer has either stabilized or declined in recent years.
