A major study by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London has found that eleven types of cancer are increasing among younger people in England, including bowel, breast and pancreatic cancers. Although cases remain relatively rare, the trend has puzzled scientists, as many known risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use have declined or remained stable. The only data which aligned with the increase in cancer was levels of overweight and obesity, which have been on the rise since the 1990s, but even this is an imperfect answer: factors like diet, pollution and improved detection are still under investigation. Personal stories, for example Bradley Coombes, only 23, whose bowel cancer was diagnosed too late despite clear symptoms, show the importance of recognising the disease early. The researchers also said that while cancers in young people were increasing, it was important to remember they were still dwarfed by cancers in older age groups.