The rise of early-onset cancer

April 1, 2026

Less Chance. More Control.

Cancer diagnoses often seem like something that can only affect those with many decades of life behind them. But recentresearch has revealed a troubling increase in cancer diagnoses in adults aged 18 to 49 years old, calling for a newworldview when it comes to cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 Cancer Facts & Figures report, “Cancer risk increases with age, and people most likely to be diagnosed with cancer are adults aged 65 and older. But this trend is beginning to change.”¹ The report revealed that while the percentage of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer dropped from 15% to 12% overall, this was due to there being fewer people in this age group within the general population. Adults under 50 was the only age group to see a consistent increase in overall cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020.²

The reasons behind this rising incidence are complex and still being discovered. But it is in part, thankfully, a result of increased screenings and developing protocols for early detection. This goes to show how crucial early detection is. Regardless of age, early detection remains the best way to improve cancer outcomes and provide care at the earliest possible stage.³ Though general recommendations are in place for cancer screenings, being knowledgeable and open about family history is an important factor in determining risk and the necessity of screenings before qualifying symptoms present.

For example, women who are at average risk for breast cancer may start biennial mammography screening at the age 40, according to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. But women with a family history of breast cancer are generally advised to start when they are 10 years younger than the first-degree relative (a mother and/or sister) was at their time of diagnosis.⁴

When a delayed cancer diagnosis leads to a delay in care, there is a lower chance of survival, increased problems associated with treatment and higher costs of care.⁵ In addition to receiving proactive screenings and early cancer detection, learning the comprehensive care services available can be a critical moment in the journey of an early-onset cancer patient. Veda Giri, MD, a Yale Medicine oncologist insists, “Young people need to feel supported and holistically cared for through the course of their cancer and beyond.”⁶ Employers have a crucial opportunity to ensure employees are aware of all resources available to them, and to remind them of those resources often.

A holistic approach to early-onset cancer cases.

Our Cancer Care Management team identifies and supports employees in navigating the complexities of cancer care by helping them understand treatment plans and make fully informed decisions. In collaboration with AccessHope, an innovative cancer support service, we connect patients and their oncologists with National Cancer Institute experts, allowing members to access expert insights based on the latest research, regardless of location. When we receive a claims data trigger that there has been a cancer diagnosis, we’ll reach out to that employee to discuss our program and their options. Ultimately, the goal of our program is to offer support and work together towards the best possible outcome and quality of life—leaving less to chance and giving employers and employees more choice and control wherever possible.

Through an ecosystem of preventive care, early screenings, cancer education and support, pharmaceutical care, behavioral health prioritization, and utilization management, we take a holistic, human-centered approach to every early-onset diagnosis. We’re committed to taking as much as possible off the plates of employees and employers alike. Because when it comes to cancer, one less thing means everything. Reach out to your plan representative to learn how we can help.

1,2,5 Sonya Collins, “2024—First Year the US Expects More than 2M New Cases of Cancer,” American Cancer Society, January 17, 2024
3,6 Kathy Katella, “What to Know about Rising Rates of ‘Early-Onset’ Cancer,” Yale Medicine, August 1, 2024
4 Tomotako Ugai, et. al., “Is Early-onset Cancer an Emerging Global Epidemic? Current Evidence and Future Implications,” Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, September 6, 2022

AccessHope, LLC is an independent company that has contracted with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to provide Member Health Platform & Tools, Care & Disease Management, Health Information Content for members with coverage through BCBSIL. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third-party vendors and the products and services offered by them.