In recent months, we’ve seen a rise in younger women being diagnosed with cancer. Here’s why it’s no coincidence, and what this health trend means for you. 

Cancer, as many unfortunately know, does not discriminate based on age, race or gender. While a large proportion of people are diagnosed later in life, cancer also appears in patients who most would consider young, healthy, and low-risk.

And while as a whole, it seems we’ve never been in a better position as a society when it comes to our medical and scientific proficiency. 

As a result, our understanding of how different kinds of cancers form, metastasise and become malignant is thankfully incomparable to what it was only a century ago.

But still, an alarming rate of diagnosis is occurring in younger patients across the board. Some research suggests that while cancer rates in older people (aged 65 years and older) have categorically dropped between 2010 and 2019, diagnoses in the United States increased in people in their thirties by nearly 20 per cent. 

Furthermore, the rate of early-onset cancer diagnoses dropped by almost 5 per cent in men, but rose almost 4 per cent in women, with breast and uterine cancers playing a significant role. 

But such female-specific forms of the disease aren’t the only ones contributing to this trend. One of the most concerning increases has been seen in gastrointestinal cancers, with a 15 per cent rise in diagnoses detected.

This pattern of diagnosis also extends to cancer mortality rates. Overall, thanks to wonderful advancements in medicine helping people detect and treat their cancer sooner and faster, fatalities across the board have decreased. 

But fatalities are still occurring in many young people, prompting serious concern. So why are more younger adults – particularly women – being diagnosed with cancer? 

While our individual health largely depends on our lifestyle choices, genetic disposition, and exposure to risk, experts believe it’s no coincidence cancer rates have increased in Young women.

Our health habits and lifestyles have evolved – not always for the better

Today, there are a few things that undeniably bear little resemblance to the habits and routines of the past. For example, people – especially Gen Y and Z – are entirely dependent on technology, impacting most areas of life. 

Additionally, as society has evolved and industrialised over the past century, people have been increasingly exposed to harmful pollutants and man-made materials, impacting the way we nourish and move our bodies. 

Processed foods, microplastics, medications and pollutants all have the potential to increase an individual’s risk of developing early-onset cancer, says Dr Andrea Cercek, gastrointestinal oncologist and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

“It’s something that everyone’s exposed to, but there’s a population of young adults that are at risk for that exposure to lead to cancer,” Dr Cercek tells The Cut.

People are more transparent with their health online 

There is no doubt greater transparency when it comes to sharing health-related updates across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. People’s willingness to share and their followers’ willingness to engage have paved the way for a whole new category of content creation.  

‘GRWM’ and ‘A day in the life’ videos are no longer only filmed on the bathroom vanity of influencers before a big event. Now, viewers are privy to the ins and outs of people’s hospital stays and treatment courses. 

As a result, we as followers, readers and viewers are being exposed to more diagnoses, more treatments, and more fatalities in real-time. 

The current wave of celebrity cancer posts and announcements on social media is also a reflection of how outspoken people have become with their health, no longer feeling the need to keep health battles behind closed doors. 

Testing and diagnosis technology has never been more advanced

Yes, the increased rate of cancer diagnoses in younger adults certainly indicates the disease is more prevalent today than ever, but it also stands as a reflection of more thorough and early screening techniques being used by health professionals. 

Testing recommendations are constantly being reviewed against the prevalence of different cancers, with some having been slightly brought forward, such as the guidelines for colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer, now stating adults aged 45 (previously 50) should undergo testing.  

With earlier testing, comes earlier diagnosis and treatment, contributing to a rise in cancer rates amongst younger adults.

Women’s pain is so often ignored or dismissed

Sadly, most women are familiar with the reality that accompanies a chronic or acute health issue, with many revealing they feel their pain and concerns are often dismissed by health professionals. 

According to Nurofen’s Gender Pain Gap Index Report, 55 per cent of female respondents feel they have had their pain ignored, with 32 per cent reporting their GP – the first health professional most people go to when faced with an issue – didn’t take their pain seriously. 

With early symptoms being downplayed or insufficiently looked into, it’s no surprise more young women are often being diagnosed with cancer in a later stage of the disease.

Taking ownership of your health and your cancer risk

Whether this apparent increase in younger cancer diagnoses is being caused by individual lifestyle choices, environmental pollutants or more thorough screening and diagnosis methods, Dr Cercek encourages all of us – regardless of age – to take ownership of our health

Keeping on top of things like our weight, medical checkups, exercise routine and how we nourish our bodies can all work to prevent the prevalence of cancer. If someone is at greater risk due to a preexisting health condition or family history, she urges them to stay up to date with their relevant screening guidelines – such as pap smears at age 21 and mammograms from age 40. 

Above all, it’s important to be your own persistent advocate. If you notice any persistent symptoms that you consider to be abnormal for your body, seek medical care.