The increasing incidence of cancer in younger women: What preventative strategy is best? (397)

Abstract

Objectives: Cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger women. We aimed to determine which socio-behavioral risk factor was associated with these trends. Methods: Data were obtained from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) database from 2001-2018. SEER*Stat 8.3.8 and Joinpoint regression program 4.8.01 were used to calculate incidence trends of cancers per 100,000 for women under the age of 50 years. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence rate was calculated and stratified by age and race. Obesity trends were evaluated using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Results: Using the USCS data, 23,460,648 cancer cases were diagnosed in females, of which 2.4 million (11%) were identified in young patients. Alcohol use (39%), obesity (27%), tobacco (20%), physical inactivity (8%), and HPV infection (6%) related cancers contributed to the distribution of cancers in younger women. Although alcohol use accounted for the highest number of cases, physical inactivity and obesity-related cancers increased at rates of 6% and 5% each year, respectively. Compared to 2001, young women in 2018 were 2.4-2.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancers related to physical inactivity and obesity. As one of the risk factors associated with cancer in young women, we evaluated obesity-related cancers and showed that young Asian women (30/100,000) had the highest incidence of uterine cancer compared to White women (27/100,000). However, Hispanic women had the highest rate of increase in uterine cancer at 4.5% annually. Using the BRFSS data, we then examined obesity trends and noted that young (35-44 years old) Asian women had the greatest increase in obesity at 4.4% per year; however, Black women had the highest overall obesity rates at 47% compared to 30% of White women. Conclusions: Compared to other racial groups, the rates of obesity and uterine cancer are rising in young Asian women. Early intervention against obesity, particularly in high-risk groups is warranted. Objectives: Cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger women. We aimed to determine which socio-behavioral risk factor was associated with these trends. Methods: Data were obtained from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) database from 2001-2018. SEER*Stat 8.3.8 and Joinpoint regression program 4.8.01 were used to calculate incidence trends of cancers per 100,000 for women under the age of 50 years. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence rate was calculated and stratified by age and race. Obesity trends were evaluated using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Results: Using the USCS data, 23,460,648 cancer cases were diagnosed in females, of which 2.4 million (11%) were identified in young patients. Alcohol use (39%), obesity (27%), tobacco (20%), physical inactivity (8%), and HPV infection (6%) related cancers contributed to the distribution of cancers in younger women. Although alcohol use accounted for the highest number of cases, physical inactivity and obesity-related cancers increased at rates of 6% and 5% each year, respectively. Compared to 2001, young women in 2018 were 2.4-2.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancers related to physical inactivity and obesity. As one of the risk factors associated with cancer in young women, we evaluated obesity-related cancers and showed that young Asian women (30/100,000) had the highest incidence of uterine cancer compared to White women (27/100,000). However, Hispanic women had the highest rate of increase in uterine cancer at 4.5% annually. Using the BRFSS data, we then examined obesity trends and noted that young (35-44 years old) Asian women had the greatest increase in obesity at 4.4% per year; however, Black women had the highest overall obesity rates at 47% compared to 30% of White women. Conclusions: Compared to other racial groups, the rates of obesity and uterine cancer are rising in young Asian women. Early intervention against obesity, particularly in high-risk groups is warranted.