Today, someone in their 30s and 40s has a higher risk of developing cancer than their grandparents did when they were that age.
Since 1990, the rate of new cancer diagnoses increases each year for adults younger than 50, while rates among older individuals are declining. Globally, projections indicate that by 2030 the number of new cancer diagnoses for young adults will increase by 31% and deaths will increase by 21%.
Certain types of cancer — such as colon and breast — can be more aggressive when found in younger adults than in older adults. Millennials and Gen-Xers also tend to be diagnosed at later stages. Researchers don’t yet know what’s driving this trend, so it’s important for people younger than 50 to know the signs and symptoms of the top cancer types affecting this age group and understand their risk of developing cancer.
Cancer types affecting younger adults
While breast, thyroid, and colorectal cancers have the highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in young adults, new cancer diagnoses of the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems are increasing at faster rates each year.
According to the American Cancer Society, some of the most common cancers in young adults are:
- Breast cancer
- Lymphomas (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin)
- Melanoma
- Sarcomas (cancers of connective tissues like muscles and bones)
- Cancers of the female genital tract (cervix and ovary)
- Thyroid cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Brain and spinal cord tumors
Potential signs and symptoms of cancer in young adults
Because screening for breast and colorectal cancers begin at age 40 and 45 for people at average risk — and many cancers don’t have standard screening guidelines — it’s important for young adults to understand the common signs and symptoms.
Anyone experiencing these signs and symptoms of cancer should speak with their doctor to rule out a potential cancer diagnosis:
- An unusual lump or swelling, especially in the neck, breast, belly, or testicle
- Unexplained tiredness and loss of energy
- Easy bruising
- Abnormal bleeding
- Ongoing pain in one part of the body
- Unexplained fever or illness that doesn’t go away
- Frequent headaches, sometimes along with vomiting
- Sudden eye or vision changes
- Loss of appetite or unplanned weight loss
- A new mole or other spot on the skin, or one that changes in size, shape, or color
Understanding your risk
Individual risk factors vary by cancer type, so it’s best to work with a doctor to determine if you are at higher risk for developing specific types of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, almost one out of three people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 have a family history or genetic predisposition, such as Lynch syndrome. Inherited mutations can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, such as in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
While not all cancers in young adults are the result of genetics, a genetic counselor can help you understand your inherited risk for several cancer types, and doctors can review your personal and family health history to determine if genetic testing is needed.
Early detection is key
Detecting cancer early is one of the most important things young adults can do to protect their health.
By staying vigilant for potential signs and symptoms of cancer — and working with a doctor to determine risk and develop a cancer screening game plan — young adults can improve the likelihood that cancer will be caught in its early stages before it spreads.
This article originally appeared in the Jacksonville Progress, Palestine Herald-Press, and Pittsburg Gazette.