Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Younger Adults: What You Need to Know
In the United States, cancer deaths are decreasing, and the outlook for winning the war against this deadly disease is both positive and negative.
Since 1991, cancer deaths in the United States have decreased by 33%, with an estimated 3.8 million lives saved, primarily due to advances in early detection and treatment. Still, 10 million people died from cancer worldwide in 2020.
During the past three years, cancer has remained the leading cause of death worldwide, surpassing Covid-19, according to the American Cancer Society’s chief patient officer, Dr. Arif Kamal.
According to experts, cancer symptoms can resemble those of many other diseases, making it difficult to distinguish them.
According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms include unexplained weight loss or gain, swelling or lumps in the groin, neck, stomach, or underarms, as well as fever and night sweats.
Symptoms of cancer may include changes in hearing and vision, seizures, headaches, and bleeding or bruising for no apparent reason, according to the institute. However, the majority of cancers do not initially cause pain, so you cannot rely on this symptom.
“We advise patients to see a physician if their symptoms persist for more than a few weeks,” Kamal explained. However, this does not imply that the diagnosis will be cancer.
Cases rise among younger age groups
The key to keeping cancer at bay is prevention and early detection through screenings, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. This is crucial, say experts, as new cancer cases are on the rise worldwide.
According to a 2022 review of available research by Harvard University scientists, a surprising number of new diagnoses are made in people under 50.
Since the 1990s, incidences of breast, colon, esophagus, gallbladder, kidney, liver, pancreas, prostate, stomach, and thyroid cancers among 50-, 40-, and even 30-year-olds have increased.
That is unusual for a disease that typically affects older adults, said Kamal. “Cancer is generally regarded as an age-related ailment because you give yourself sufficient time to develop a genetic error.”
As a result of decades of exposure to environmental toxins and poor lifestyle decisions, older cells are prime candidates for a cancerous mutation.
“We believed that it would take time for this to occur, but if a 35-year-old develops cancer, the question is, ‘What could have possibly happened?'” Kamal asked.
According to the World Health Organization, smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, obesity, a lack of physical activity, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables are significant cancer risk factors.
The sum of these factors, according to the Harvard researchers, reveals a possible cause of the emergence of cancers at an early age.
“The increased consumption of highly processed or westernized foods as well as changes in lifestyles, the environment… and other factors may have all contributed to these exposure changes,” the researchers wrote in their 2022 review.
“You do not need 65 years of consuming crispy, charred, or processed meat as your primary source of nutrition, for instance,” Kamal added. “After approximately 20 years, stomach and colorectal cancers begin to appear in younger patients.”
So how does one respond to the big C? Start in your 20s, Kamal said.
Obtain a family tree
Numerous of the most prevalent cancers, including breast, bowel, stomach, and prostate, have a genetic basis; if a close relative has been diagnosed, you may have inherited a susceptibility to develop the same cancer.
It is therefore essential to know your family’s medical history. Kamal suggested that young people sit down with their grandparents and other close relatives and ask them about their illnesses; they should then record this information.
“The average person is unaware of the useful level of granularity for assessing risk,” he said.
“When I speak with patients, they frequently mention that their grandmother had cancer. I have two questions: at what age was cancer diagnosed, and what type of cancer did the patient have? I need to know whether she was diagnosed with cancer in her 30s or 60s, as this determines your risk level. But they frequently do not know.” The same holds true for the type of cancer, stated Kamal.
“People frequently say, “Grandmother had bone cancer.” Well, both multiple myeloma and osteosarcoma are bone cancers, but both are uncommon “he said. “I therefore doubt that Grandma had bone cancer. I need to know if Grandma had another cancer that spread to her bones.”
Next, physicians must determine what happened to this relative. Was the cancer malignant? How did the patient respond to treatment?
“If I hear that Mom or Grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 and died at age 41, I will know that cancer is very aggressive, and my perception of your risk will change accordingly. I may add additional tests that are not included in the age-specific guidelines.”
According to Kamal, cancer screening recommendations are based on population-level assessments, not individual risk. If cancer (or other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or even migraines) runs in your family, you are a special case that requires a customized treatment plan.
“And I will tell you that the entire scientific community is observing this younger age shift for various cancers and asking, ‘Should guidelines be more deliberate and intentional for younger populations in order to provide them with some of this advice?'”
The absence of cancer in your family history reduces your risk, but does not eliminate it. According to experts, you can reduce your risk of developing cancer by eating a plant-based diet, getting the recommended amount of exercise and sleep, limiting your alcohol consumption, and not smoking or vaping.
UV rays are the most significant risk factor for melanoma, as they cause DNA damage in skin cells and are the leading cause of skin cancer. However, Kamal explained that skin cancer can develop in areas where the sun does not shine.
The incidence of melanoma in non-sun-exposed areas such as the underarm, genital area, and between the toes has increased, he said. Therefore, once a year, you should examine your entire body, or have a partner or dermatologist do so.
Examine all of your skin, including your palms, soles, between your toes, buttocks, and genital area, by removing all of your clothing. The American Academy of Dermatology advised using the A, B, C, D, and E method to evaluate any suspicious spots before consulting a dermatologist if you have any concerns.
Consult a dermatologist if you experience any itching, bleeding, or if you notice a mole that stands out from the other spots on your body.
Vaccinate yourself if you haven’t: Other cancer vaccines, including one for melanoma, are in the process of development.
Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis, which is a scarred and damaged liver, and is transmitted via blood and sexual fluids. Beginning at birth, the recommended childhood vaccines schedule in the United States consists of three shots. Adults who are not vaccinated should consult their physician to determine if they are eligible.
Several strains of human papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection, are protected against by the HPV vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Human papillomavirus can cause cervical, vaginal, anal, and penile cancer, all of which are fatal. It can also cause cancer in the tongue and tonsils in the back of the throat.
Kamal stated, “These HPV-related head and neck cancers are more aggressive than non-HPV-related cancers, so both boys and girls should be vaccinated.”
Since the vaccine’s approval in 2006 for adolescents ages 11 to 13 in the United States, cervical cancer rates have decreased by 87 percent. Today, the vaccine can be administered until age 45, according to the CDC.
Breast self-examinations: According to the WHO, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer worldwide, followed by lung, colorectal, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers.
According to experts, men with a family history of breast cancer should be aware of the disease’s symptoms as well. These symptoms include breast pain, redness, irritation, dimpling, thickening, and swelling. New breast or armpit lumps, any pulling in of the nipple, and nipple discharge other than breast milk are also concerning symptoms, according to the CDC.
The National Breast Cancer Association recommended that women perform a monthly self-exam and see a doctor if they notice any warning signs. Select a time when the breasts are less tender and lumpy, which is approximately seven to ten days after the start of menstruation.
Many cancers are only detectable through laboratory tests, scans, or biopsies. The American Cancer Society provides a list of age-specific screening recommendations.
Kamal stated that timely completion of these tasks increases the likelihood of early detection and treatment, but it remains the individual’s responsibility to be aware of their risk factors.
“Remember, guidelines only apply to individuals with an average risk,” he said. The only way a person can determine if the guidelines apply to them is if they have a thorough understanding of their family history.
In a previous version of this article, a quote from Dr. Arif Kamal misstated the position of cancer as a cause of death worldwide.
Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Younger Adults: What You Need to Know