As high schoolers, the diseases that we often think about impacting us the most tend to be mental health or stress-related issues. However, in the past year, a new study has revealed something different: cancer. Although many tend to think of cancer as something that affects older people who live unhealthy lifestyles or expose themselves to harmful substances, cancer has now become a reality for young adults, especially as they enter their twenties.
According to a study published in Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open on August 16, 2023, gastrointestinal cancers, including colon, rectal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers, are on the rise among the younger demographic. The study, which analyzed health data from over 560,000 people with early-onset cancer between 2010 and 2019, revealed a significant surge in cancer rates in individuals aged thirty to thirty-nine. While cancer rates declined in people older than 50, the incidence of early-onset cancer increased by 0.74% during the same period.
Dr. Anton Bilchik, a surgical oncologist and Chief of Medicine at Saint John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, expressed concern about the alarming rise in less common gastrointestinal malignancies, such as bile duct and pancreas cancers, among young adults. He further stated how these aggressive cancers often go undetected until they are diagnosed later at more advanced stages.
However, the study also highlighted the specific challenges in detecting gastrointestinal cancers early in younger people. Routine screenings for many cancers typically begin in the mid-forties, leading to delayed diagnoses and, as a result, more aggressive treatment approaches.
The gender and racial disparities in cancer rates are also notable; while early-onset cancer increased by 4.4% in females, it decreased by 5% in males. The rise was particularly prominent in Asian or Pacific Islander and Hispanic populations. The reasons behind these variations are complex, involving genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.
Several experts, including Dr. Wael Harb, a hematologist and medical oncologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute, and Dr. Vikram Reddy, Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, suggested various contributing factors to this new surge in cancer rates. These factors include obesity, poor diet, environmental exposures, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. Dr. Katherine Crew, an expert in breast cancer research at Columbia University, emphasized the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the rise in cancer cases. She noted that lifestyle factors, genetic testing, and changes in preventative screening guidelines play a role in identifying individuals at higher risk.
In response to the growing trend, healthcare providers stress the need for increased awareness and early detection strategies. Dr. Joel Gabre, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, highlighted ongoing research efforts to comprehend the molecular mechanisms leading to the increased incidence of early-onset gastrointestinal cancer. The important findings are prompting a reevaluation of cancer prevention strategies. The American College of Radiology now recommends risk assessment for breast cancer in women with a family history by age 25, indicating a shift towards early screening and preventative measures.
Hopefully with such articles and wider news coverage targeted toward the younger demographic, this study can serve as a call to action for both healthcare providers and the general public. Developing targeted interventions, tailoring prevention strategies, and fostering a proactive approach to healthcare may prove essential to curbing the alarming surge in early-onset cancer cases among late teens and young adults.