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Global Perspectives on the Epidemiology and Management of Early-Onset Cancers

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1580

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Department of Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
Interests: cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; obesity; aging; infectious disease; underserved populations
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since 1990, the incidence of early-onset cancers, commonly defined as cancer in adults under 50, has been on the rise worldwide, while mortality in some cases has remained stable. Alarmingly, the incidence has been projected to continue in the coming decades unless preventive factors are implemented to slow down this increasing trend. While the rise could be attributed to improved detection of these cancers, other important factors pertaining to dietary intake, specific behavior and lifestyle patterns, as well as environmental and occupational factors, which also have the potential to change the human microbiome, may also play salient roles in the development of these cancers. With some adults less than 50 years old considered too young to be eligible for routine screenings, and many also diagnosed with early-onset cancers for which there are no reliable screening tools, it is important to explore and understand the epidemiology of early-onset cancer and the impact of treatment and management modalities on the prognosis of these cancers. Equally important is understanding how the potential causes and factors associated with early-onset cancers that vary across countries interact with social determinants of health to influence the varying development of these cancers in different parts of the world. Research with a life-course approach providing evidence from prospective and longitudinal studies exploring the epidemiology and management of early-onset cancers will go a long way to improving our understanding of these important cancers. This Special Issue welcomes all research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses addressing all the aforementioned areas and factors, as well as new and interesting insights that lead to a better understanding of early-onset cancers.

Dr. Duke Appiah
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • early-onset cancer
  • adolescent and young adult cancer (AYA)
  • early-onset breast cancer
  • early-onset colorectal cancer
  • early-onset pancreatic cancer
  • early-onset thyroid cancer
  • early-onset melanoma
  • early-onset gastrointestinal cancers
  • early-onset hematological cancers
  • early-onset cancers of reproductive organs

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1454 KB  
Article
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women with Early Onset Cancer in the United States
by Duke Appiah, Julie Sang, Eric K. Broni, Zheng Shi and Catherine Kim
Cancers 2026, 18(7), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18071081 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Background: Despite well-established racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes, little is known about the extent to which race/ethnicity influences adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) among women with early onset cancer. We evaluated racial/ethnic disparity in the occurrence of cancer during pregnancy and APOs among women [...] Read more.
Background: Despite well-established racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes, little is known about the extent to which race/ethnicity influences adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) among women with early onset cancer. We evaluated racial/ethnic disparity in the occurrence of cancer during pregnancy and APOs among women with cancer in the United States. Methods: Data consisted of 17.6 million singleton deliveries among females aged 18–49 years from the National Inpatient Sample. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: From 2000 to 2022, the prevalence of births among women with cancer increased more than 225%, from 120.4 to 391.8 per 100,000. After accounting for sociodemographic and behavioral/lifestyle factors and comorbidity index among women with cancer (n = 49,824, mean age = 33.4 years), non-Hispanic Black women had the highest odds for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR = 1.67, CI: 1.54–1.82), preterm birth (OR = 1.44, CI: 1.26–1.64) and fetal death (OR = 3.04, CI: 1.99–4.63). Asian or Pacific Islander and Native American women had the highest odds for gestational diabetes (OR = 2.48, CI: 2.17–2.85) and fetal growth restriction (OR = 1.92, CI: 1.00–3.69), respectively. Among racial/ethnic minority women, the odds for maternal mortality and several APOs were significantly higher among those with cancer than those without cancer, with the odds for APOs being highest for breast cancer (OR = 1.39, CI: 1.23–1.56). Conclusions: This large population-based study showed significant racial and ethnic disparities in APOs among women with a concurrent cancer diagnosis at delivery. Targeted management of APO risk factors during pregnancy among racial/ethnic minority populations with cancer may help reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Full article
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18 pages, 912 KB  
Article
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Risk of Gynecologic Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study
by Min Jin Jeong, Yong Seok Lee, Youn Jin Choi and Kyung Do Han
Cancers 2026, 18(6), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18060894 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 753
Abstract
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is now widely identified as a multisystem disorder with oncogenic implications that extend beyond liver-specific outcomes. Nonetheless, the link between MASLD and gynecologic cancers remains insufficiently characterized in robust, well-powered population studies. We investigated this association [...] Read more.
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is now widely identified as a multisystem disorder with oncogenic implications that extend beyond liver-specific outcomes. Nonetheless, the link between MASLD and gynecologic cancers remains insufficiently characterized in robust, well-powered population studies. We investigated this association by menopausal status in a large cohort of Korean women. Methods: We performed a longitudinal cohort study utilizing data from a nationwide Korean cohort of over 2 million women, with a median observation period of 12.3 years. MASLD, including its subtypes metabolic alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) with metabolic dysfunction were identified using the most recent diagnostic standards. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for gynecologic cancers were estimated with Cox models, accounting for metabolic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors. Results: In premenopausal women, MASLD was associated with increased risks of cervical (aHR, 1.13, 95% CI, 1.01–1.26), endometrial (aHR, 1.63, 95% CI, 1.50–1.79) and ovarian cancer (aHR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.12–1.33). In postmenopausal women, MASLD similarly conferred elevated risks across all three cancers: cervical (aHR, 1.12, 95% CI, 1.05–1.20), endometrial (aHR, 1.42, 95% CI, 1.32–1.54) and ovarian cancer (aHR, 1.14, 95% CI, 1.08–1.20). Conclusions: MASLD should be considered an independent and modifiable risk determinant for gynecologic cancers. These data underscore the necessity of including hepatic steatosis in risk assessment protocols for cancer prevention. Early recognition and directed screening among metabolically susceptible women may provide important avenues for proactive cancer risk reduction. Full article
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