Patron His Majesty King Charles III

Interviews available with Chemotherapy Nurse and Walk the Walk Clinical Ambassador Gemma Reeves

New figures revealing rising rates of several cancers among people under 50 in England underline the urgent need to rethink the age at which women are first invited for routine breast screening, says cancer charity Walk the Walk.

Analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), published today, shows increases in seven types of cancer among people under 50 in England between 2001 and 2023.

But it is the actual number of breast cancer cases stands out dramatically.

  • In 2023, 8,507 women under the age of 50 were diagnosed with breast cancer in England, up from 6,886 in 2001.
  • That compares with 2,989 cases of bowel cancer, the next highest number among the seven cancers highlighted.
  • There were 1,483 kidney cancer cases, 698 cases of womb cancer, 640 prostate cancer cases, 346 pancreatic cancer cases and 278 liver cancer cases among under-50s in 2023.

Walk the Walk is campaigning for the NHS to lower the starting age for routine breast screening from 50 to 40, arguing that women should have the opportunity to detect breast cancer earlier, when treatment can be more effective and potentially less invasive.

Chemotherapy Nurse and Walk the Walk Clinical Ambassador Gemma Reeves has been campaigning alongside the charity to lower the NHS breast screening age to 40. Gemma took the issue directly to Parliament in a Westminster Hall debate, after launching a petition which reached 106,000 signatures.

Gemma said:-

“These new figures are staggering and exactly why I started my petition to lower the age for breast screening in the first place – I just couldn’t ignore the increasing number of younger women coming for treatment. These are so much more than just figures on a page. These are thousands of women under 50 who have received a life-changing diagnosis and who never expected to hear the words ‘you have breast cancer’. Lowering the starting age for

breast screening is about is about giving women the best possible chance of finding breast cancer early and for it to be treated successfully. These latest figures make me even more determined that the breast screening age must be lowered”.

Walk the Walk’s own latest public survey, conducted in September 2026, found overwhelming support for that position. Of those questioned:

  • Around nine in ten people (91%) of people surveyed support lowering the starting age for routine breast screening from 50 to 40
  • Almost 8 in 10 people (79%) personally know someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50

The NHS breast screening programme currently screens women aged 50 to under 71.

Ends

Notes to editors

About the figures

For more information about Walk the Walk and interviews with Gemma Reeves after 1615 today (Tuesday 6th October), please contact:

About Walk the Walk

  • Walk the Walk is a cancer charity, which exists to inspire and empower people to live healthier lives, help reduce their risk of cancer and take positive action, through being active, embracing healthier lifestyles and furthering research
  • The charity also supports those affected by cancer and is targeting a future where people live healthier lives, fewer face cancer and no one goes through it alone
  • Since 1996, Walk the Walk has raised more than £148 million, through walking challenges and treks, ranging from 5k to 100 miles and more
  • It is best known as organiser of the overnight MoonWalk fundraising events, including its flagship, The MoonWalk London
  • The MoonWalk is a challenge which anyone can take on, whatever their fitness level, experience or circumstances.
  • Walkers taking part in these events wear Walk the Walk’s statement decorated bras or brightly coloured bra t-shirts

The MoonWalk London 2027

  • Entries are now open for The MoonWalk London 2027 at www.walkthewalk.org
  • Saturday 15 May 2027, 8pm – Sunday 16 May 2027, 1pm
  • Starts and finishes at Clapham Common, London
  • Walking distances available: New for 2027 – 10 miles. Plus regular favourites 26.2 miles, 15.1 miles and 10k.