Researchers at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse say cancer mortality rates are on the decline but, over a dozen types of cancers continue to rise for those under 50 years-old. Professor of urology and associate research director Dr. Lezek Kotula said it’s partly because better diagnostic methods are helping researchers diagnose cancer earlier in younger people.
“Because our methods are better to diagnose cancer, we’re seeing in earlier populations there are some types of cancer like Leukemia in young populations," he said. "There are some forms of prostate and breast cancer that is diagnosed in young patients.”
Kotula said lately doctors are using Artificial Intelligence to aid in less invasive methods for diagnosing cancer. He said fully harnessing the power of AI requires a collaboration between clinicians, researchers and AI pathologists.
“We are very proud of our clinical trials that are happening at Upstate and we collaborate across the country to better, help, treat and diagnose cancer,” he said.
Top doctors in cancer research across the state came to Syracuse recently to discuss ongoing research and emerging treatment options.
A 2025 American Cancer Society study finds oral cavity, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers are on the rise across the board, and there’s an uptick in uterine and liver cancers, specifically among women.