Rupayan Kundu , Rishabh Kundu , Sudipto Mukherjee. Ann Epidemiol. 114:7-11. 2026
Early-onset cancer (EOC), occurring in individuals aged 15-49 years, is a growing global health concern. High body mass index (BMI) is an established modifiable risk factor contributing to cancer morbidity and mortality. In 2021, 23,078 EOC deaths related to high BMI occurred, accounting for 2.33 % of global EOC mortality, representing a 92.78 % increase since 1990. Males (2.96 %) exhibited a higher proportion of high BMI-attributable EOC deaths compared to females (1.72 %). High-income regions recorded the highest EOC deaths (3.78 %) associated with high BMI, with increasing trends observed across all SDI levels. Among cancer types, kidney and uterine cancers exhibited the highest mortality. Notably, high BMI demonstrated a protective effect against early-onset breast cancer in females. The rising burden of EOC mortality attributed to high BMI underscores the need for urgent interventions in young adult population. Addressing obesity through lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery is crucial for reducing cancer burden.
24 Mar, 2026