Early-Onset Cancer Initiative
The Early-Onset Cancer Initiative is an NCI effort to better understand and address the observed increase in cancers that were historically diagnosed in older adults. Cancers once primarily seen in people over 50 years old, including colorectal, breast, uterine, kidney, and pancreatic are now increasingly affecting younger adults.
Approach
The Early-Onset Cancer Initiative is dedicated to advancing the pace of scientific discovery, incorporating the patient experience, and improving survivorship. This includes:
- interdisciplinary risk factors
- novel scientific methods
- survivorship care
Events
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting
Beyond the Headlines: The Real Impact of Early-Onset Cancers Special Session
Select NCI-Supported Activities
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Trends Analysis: Evaluating Patterns for Early-Onset Cancer
Epidemiologists analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates in people under age 50.
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Cancer Grand Challenges
Team PROSPECT, funded by NCI as part of the Cancer Grand Challenges program, aims to use advanced approaches like precision nutrition to study the biology and physiology involved in the development of early-onset colorectal cancer.
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Early-Onset Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer Study
This study was launched as part of NCI's Provocative Questions Initiative to better understand how a specific protein may contribute to the development of endometrial tumors in early-onset cancer patients with obesity.
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Breast Cancer Family Registry Cohort
An international database that supports a wide range of studies on gene discovery, cancer prevention, and behavioral interventions. The cohort facilitates collaborative research on breast cancer, including early-onset breast cancer.