Investigating the rise of early-onset cancer | Four Corners Documentary

Video Description

Australians in their 30s and 40s are facing an alarming surge in cancer diagnoses and researchers are scrambling to understand why. From bowel and breast to liver and kidney, aggressive cancers are hitting younger people; they’re often detected late, with devastating outcomes. Dr Norman Swan investigates what’s behind the change. Could it be ultra-processed foods, stress, or exposures dating back to childhood, even pregnancy? He meets those grappling with a diagnosis and searching for answers. Generation Cancer asks what can be done to curb the rise, and are we ready? It's a wake-up call for a generation — and health services — blindsided by this increase. This story was originally broadcast as Generation Cancer on 7 July 2025. CHAPTERS 00:00 – What is causing cancer? 02:20 – Generation cancer 04:20 – A shock diagnosis 06:17 – Bowel cancer 06:46 – Why are young people getting cancer? 08:15 – The ten cancers 10:33 – Liver cancer 15:19 – Breast cancer 22:22 – Chemical exposures 25:00 – Forever chemicals 26:45 – Understanding why cancer is increasing in young people 29:10 – The generational shift 31:05 – Challenges for younger people with cancer 33:30 – The financial pressures of illness 37:30 – Screening 42:10 – What can be done? #ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia