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Early-Onset Cancers in Young Adults: Understanding the Rising Incidence and Impact
By Raveena M Prakash
Cancer is the second leading cause of deaths across the world. One of the scariest health challenges is the incidence of early onset cancer in young adults. Early onset cancers (EOCs) are types of cancer majorly developed in young people, who are in their young ages. This type of cancer is formed before they turn 40 and 50. Early stage cancers in young adults are considered another global concern in the present times. In some cases, these types of cancers are developed in young adults earlier than expected; that’s why this is usually called early-onset cancers.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into different causes of cancer, major risk factors, and how to prevent early-stage cancer in young adults.
How are early onset cancers different from other types of cancer?
Early onset cancers (EOCs) or early-stage cancer in young people are other health challenges faced by young people across the world, who are below the ages of 40 and 50. This type of cancer is usually diagnosed in adults who are between the ages of 18 and 49. The major differences of Early stage cancers from other types of cancer are the age of diagnosis. EOCs are mostly diagnosed in young adults who are below the age of 40 to 50.
However, EOCs mostly share some common risk factors for cancer development, such as lifestyle factors, obesity, genetics, and environmental exposure. It can happen with some similar or different patterns of cancer growth, which is often compared to late-onset cancers.
What types of cancers are on the rise in younger adults?
Some recent studies suggest that there is a huge increase in being diagnosed with cancer in young adults. These may include cancers such as colorectal, prostate, breast, cervical, and endometrial cancer.
Colorectal cancer: This cancer mostly affects elderly people. But now it is increasingly the leading cause of cancer death in men who are below 50. This cancer disease is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in that same age group.
Cervical cancer: The rates of cervical cancer cases in women in the age group between 30 and 44 started to increase around 1.79% from the years 2012 to 2019, according to the ACS annual report. If you are someone who belongs in this age group, then consider vaccination for cervical cancer to avoid the risk of being diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Breast cancer: Breast cancers diagnosed in young adults are more aggressive when compared to older women. Studies suggest that older women are mostly diagnosed with cancer, which is slow-growing, specifically estrogen-positive tumors; meanwhile, younger women are diagnosed with more triple-negative cancer. Additionally, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) breast cancer, which is a more aggressive cancer type.
Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is more common in older men than in younger men. But recent studies suggest that younger men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is also known as early-onset prostate cancer. The usual age of diagnosis of prostate cancer is 68 years and above. However, the EOC prostate cancer gets diagnosed at the age below the range of 55.
Endometrial cancer: The incidence of endometrial cancer has increased in all age groups. The rate of endometrial cancer has increased more rapidly among the reproductive-aged group, especially those below 50.
One of the common causes of this cancer may include:
- Lynch syndrome
- Cowden syndrome
- Obesity
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Pancreatic cancer: The pancreatic cancer incidence has increased in young people; usually this cancer often develops in people who are in their later age or over 70. However, this cancer has developed in people below the age of 50 or 55. One of the potential risk factors of cancer includes smoking and alcohol use. Another risk factor for cancer is hepatitis B.
Gastric cancer: There is an increased incidence of early-onset gastric cancer in young adults below the age of 50, especially in women. In the majority of cases, more young adults are diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer.
How family history helps adults to get routine screenings?
Early-onset cancers are increasing in younger adults across the world. The reasons for several on-set cancers in young adults are not clear yet; however, one of the major risk factors for these cancers in young people is their lifestyle choices, including smoking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, environmental factors such as air pollution, and family history of cancer.
Understanding if you belong to the family of cancer incidence leads to checking any cancer-related health screenings, which also plays a huge role in the early detection of cancer in younger people. Family history of cancer might influence the young people to undergo some genetic testing to find out whether they have any genetic mutation that makes them predisposed to developing certain types of cancer.
How can early-onset cancer affect a younger adult’s life?
Cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments are challenging in any young adult’s life. People who belong to the age groups of 20s, 30s, and 40s are often concerned about their health. One of the biggest challenges they might face when diagnosed with cancer is their family planning.
Some cancers and their treatments often create challenges with pregnancy or produce sperm in young patients. However, it mainly depends on a patient’s type of cancer, age, and their cancer treatment plan. For example, if you are diagnosed with cancer, then consider freezing the eggs or embryos. In men, sperm banking or sperm freezing is a good option.
In younger women, the early onset cancer and its treatment result in an early menopause, mainly because of the chemotherapy treatments. In some cases, hormonal treatments also cause an early menopause in young women.
Body image and hair loss are other concerns that affect young people. Body image and hair loss can also affect their confidence and self-esteem; meanwhile, both of these are side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Additionally, sexual health and sexual function are another major concern for any young EOC patients.
Young adults often face struggles in terms of the direct or indirect impact of their cancer treatments on their sexual health and desires. Some people have faced a sense of fear and loss related to developing or sustaining intimate relationships.
How to prevent early-onset cancer in younger adults?
Preventive measures for developing EOCs in younger adults include avoiding smoking and limiting excessive alcohol consumption. One of the important preventive measures for women is getting a vaccination for cervical cancer.
Paying close attention to your physical activity and exercise, diet and nutrition, being aware of any family history of cancer, and getting screened for any cancer symptoms that stay more than two weeks are considered great preventive measures.
Consult Today
It’s important to understand that being diagnosed with early-onset cancer is not a crime. No one should feel guilty or feel bad about a cancer diagnosis and question themselves, as did I do anything wrong? No, you are not! Understand that each cancer is different, and individual medical conditions, age, gender, and family history play a key role in the incidence of early-onset cancer in young adults.
If you or any loved ones of yours are seeking any symptoms of early-stage cancer or seeking any guidance regarding your cancer treatments, then visit Oncare’s cancer center and book an appointment today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments now.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average age of prostate cancer is 68 years. However, the incidence of early on-site prostate cancer is diagnosed in men below the age of 55. Recent studies suggest that there are increased early-onset cancers in men below the age of 15 to 40.
Some risk factors of this cancer include age, race, family history of cancer, and some genetic mutations. Additionally, there is a link between obesity, physical activity, and HPV infection, and an exposure to the things in the environment, such as natural carcinogens, which plays a huge role in developing onset cancer in people.
There are some key risk factors of early-onset pancreatic cancer, which may include the habit of smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and a family history of cancer, and certain genetic disorders increase the cause of early-onset pancreatic cancer.
One of the key risk factors of early-onset endometrial cancer in women includes obesity, family history, early menarche, late menopause, or nulliparity (never having been pregnant).
One of the key risk factors of gastric cancer increasing in women is their lifestyle choices, including obesity, Lynch syndrome, Cowden syndrome, increased estrogen levels, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance.