Breast cancer is on the rise in women under 50. It could be linked to 2 lifestyle factors. [Video]

More women under 50 are getting breast cancer in the US, and lifestyle factors such as not breastfeeding and having children later in life may be contributing factors, a cancer expert told Business Insider.

Being physically inactive, having a poor diet, drinking alcohol, and smoking are all risk factors for breast cancer, but the rise in younger women in particular might be linked to fertility, said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, the coauthor of a new American Cancer Society report published Tuesday.

Other cancers, including colon and cervical, are also rising in younger people, putting extra stress on the so-called sandwich generation, who are of working and reproductive age and often have caring responsibilities for both young children and aging parents.

Breast cancer deaths are dropping, but cases are rising in younger women

Breast cancer deaths declined by 44% between 1989 and 2022, translating to 517,900 fewer deaths, largely due to earlier detectionand advances in treatment, the report …