Only one in ten cancers are diagnosed in people under 50, but cases are increasing, data shows.
Reacting to Kate Middleton’s shock diagnosis, experts today warned of an ongoing “epidemic” of the disease among young people.
However, they said the combination of early detection of the disease and better treatments led to improved survival rates.
The Princess of Wales, 42, bravely revealed that doctors discovered an unspecified form of cancer during tests after her abdominal surgery.
In an emotional video message filmed in Windsor, Kate revealed the news had come as a “huge shock” and that she and William “have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family “.
More than 375,000 cases of cancer are detected each year in Britain, the equivalent of 1,000 every day, according to Cancer Research UK.
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In a video message released today, Kate said her medical team advised her to undergo preventative chemotherapy. “This has of course been a huge shock, and William and I have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she added.
Catherine’s moving and extraordinary words in her unpublished video message
UK figures suggest that people aged 25 to 49 contribute around a tenth (9%) of new cases, with almost twice as many women as men in some age groups.
On average, more than a third (36%) of new cancer cases affect people aged 75 and over.
Adults aged 50 to 75 represent more than half (54%) of all new cases.
Breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers make up the overwhelming majority of new diagnoses, around half in total.
Dr Shivan Sivakumar, an oncologist at the University of Birmingham, said: “There is currently a cancer epidemic among young people under 50.
“The cause of this is unknown.”
Professor Andrew Beggs, consultant colorectal surgeon based at the University of Birmingham, said: “Early-onset cancer is by no means rare.
“I run a clinic for early adult cancer and we are seeing more and more people in their 40s with cancer.”
Professor Lawrence Young, an expert in molecular oncology based at the University of Warwick, added: “Cancer survival is generally higher in younger people.
“Early diagnosis and better treatments lead to better outcomes, with survival rates doubling over the past 50 years.”
Figures suggest that around one in two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime.
According to Cancer Research UK, a third of all cases in the UK are preventable.
The Princess of Wales’ cancer was only discovered after she underwent major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January.
Kensington Palace said it would not share details about the type of cancer the princess has, or the stage of her cancer, and asked people not to speculate.
In a statement this evening, His Majesty said he was “very proud of Catherine for her courage to speak as she did” and that he remained “in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law “.
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) “need time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment”.
The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother’s Day portrait, which now takes on added significance given her diagnosis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
The King and Queen said they “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family during this difficult time.”
Despite the number of cancer victims in the UK, critical NHS targets for the disease, such as those relating to early diagnosis and treatment, continue to be missed in England.
The health service is currently struggling with a backlog of post-Covid cancer referrals, with the latest NHS data showing more than 10,000 patients have not started cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral from their general practitioner.
This means that only six in ten cancer patients (62.3 percent) were seen within the two-month time frame.
NHS guidelines say 85 per cent of cancer patients should be seen within this time frame.
But this goal has not been achieved nationally since December 2015.
Only 70.9 percent of patients referred urgently for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, compared to 74.2 percent the previous month. The goal is 75 percent.
Kate’s battle with cancer in her own words: The Princess of Wales’ moving video statement in full
I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and understanding while I recover from surgery.
These last few months have been incredibly difficult for our whole family, but I have had a fantastic medical team who took great care of me, for which I am very grateful.
In January I had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought my condition was not cancerous. The operation is a success. However, tests carried out after the operation revealed the presence of cancer. My medical team therefore advised me to undergo preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of this treatment.
Of course, this was a huge shock, and William and I did everything we could to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this took a while. It took me a while to recover from major surgery to begin my treatment. But above all, it took us time to explain everything
George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that everything will be okay.
As I told them: I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.
Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance. Just like the love, support and kindness so many of you have shown. It means so much to both of us.
We hope you understand that as a family we now need time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I can, but for now I need to focus on making a full recovery.
At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this illness in any form, do not lose faith or hope. You’re not alone.