epidemiology of cancer by age
Last reviewed 01/2018
Age can be used as an important discriminating factor when considering cancer. The following divisions are used to illustrate the different incidence of some cancers with respect to age.
- examples where 1% or less of cancers are diagnosed before 40 years
- examples where 3-5% of cancers are diagnosed before the patient is 40 years old
- examples of cancers where the distribution accross adult age groups is more even
- examples of cancers that are commonest in younger adults (ie those less than 40 years old)
Reference:
- 1) Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (April 2000). NHS Executive.
examples where 1% or less are diagnosed before 40 years old
examples where 3-5% are diagnosed before 40 years old