Study reveals alarming number of breast cancers in younger women, and more

Study Reveals Alarming Number of Breast Cancers in Younger Women

• Data from 7 outpatient facilities in New York found that women between the ages of 18 and 49 accounted for 20-24% of all breast cancers diagnosed from 2014-2024.
• Of the 1,799 breast cancers diagnosed in this age group, 80.7% were invasive.

Source. Study reveals alarming number of invasive breast cancers in younger women. Radiological Society of North America. Published December 1, 2025

Cancer Rates Surging in Young Adults

According to a study from the National Institutes of Health, more than 2 million Americans aged 15-49 were diagnosed with cancer between 2010-2019. In addition, early-onset cases rose significantly in 14 different cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and kidney cancers.

Source. Shiels M, Haque A, Berrington de Gonzalez A, et al. Trends in cancer incidence and mortality rates in early-onset and older-onset age groups in the United States, 2010-2019. Cancer Discovery. 2025;15(7): 1363–1376. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-1678

Key Findings from State of Her Health 2026

• 87% of women say that accurate, trusted at-home screening options would help them stay up to date on preventive care.
• 81% report prioritizing loved ones’ needs over their own healthcare, with 56% saying this happens often.
• 75% say they are likely to skip a healthcare visit entirely because of the time requirements.
• 74% say they have probably skipped a healthcare visit because they could not find a convenient appointment and 55% say this has definitely happened.
• Almost 38% are not entirely confident that they know which preventive screenings they should be getting.

Source. State of her health 2026. Teal Health. February 19, 2026.

Patients With Lung Cancer Not Getting Lifesaving Testing

According to the American Lung Association:

• Only 16% of people eligible for lung cancer screening in the US are getting the lifesaving scan.
• Only 23% of lung cancer patients receive chemotherapy and/or radiation before undergoing full biomarker testing.

Source. People diagnosed with lung cancer aren’t getting vital tests; New campaign hopes to change that. American Lung Association. Published September 24, 2025.

Nearly 50% of Cancer Deaths Worldwide Attributed to Modifiable Risks

• Many lower-income countries are experiencing a sharp rise in incidence of lung, colorectal, and breast cancers due to increasing prevalence of risk factors associated with economic development.
• Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Over 90% of the population in low- and middle-income countries lack access to safe and timely surgical care.
• Colorectal cancer incidence rates are rising among young adults in many high-income countries.

Source. New ACS cancer atlas: Global report shows nearly half of cancer mortality worldwide attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. American Cancer Society. Published June 25, 2025.