Cancer can affect everyone, including adolescents and young adults (AYAs: 15 - 39 age range). Cancer is often associated with older people, but more young adults are being affected. Many wonder why young people get cancer. This could be due to lifestyle trends, environmental factors, delayed diagnosis, or a lack of routine screening. Being diagnosed with cancer is challenging for anyone, but especially young people in their 20s - 30s, disrupting life plans like career goals, family planning, and fertility. Early screening is the best way to stay on track with your health, detect any changes, and improve outcomes with the least disruptive impact.
What is AYA Cancer?
AYA cancer refers to cancer that affects young people aged 15 - 39 years. In the United States, around 84,100 AYAs are diagnosed with cancer each year, accounting for 4.2 percent of all cancer diagnoses1,2. However, there are significant gaps in the data related to cancer in this age group.
AYA Cancer Statistics and Risks in Your 20s
Cancer rates in young adults are on the rise, with estimates suggesting there will be around 85,480 new cases and 9,380 deaths in the United States this year.2 The most frequently reported types of cancers affecting AYAs include breast and thyroid cancer, which each account for 15 percent of all cancers diagnosed in this age group. Other frequently reported cancers include testicular cancer, responsible for 8 percent of AYA cases, and melanoma of the skin, which accounts for 8 percent2.
While the likelihood of developing cancer in your 20s remains relatively low, cancer rates are growing more quickly in this age group than in any other population. This increase highlights an urgent need for awareness and research to understand the factors that may be contributing to the rise in cancer in AYAs, and determine the best methods for detection and treatment.
Top Risk Factors for AYA Cancers
Multiple risk factors influence AYA cancers. Lifestyle plays a significant role, with key contributors including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity3. Genetic predisposition, such as mutations in the BRCA gene or conditions like Lynch syndrome or Li-Fraumeni syndrome, also increases the risk of developing cancer3. Other factors can include environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors, air pollution, and radon3.
One of the biggest challenges with AYA cancer is the lack of routine screening in this population. Often, symptoms may be dismissed or overlooked, leading to cancer being diagnosed at a later, less treatable stage. Being proactive about health and actively seeking medical advice and screening is the best way to catch cancer early and have the best possible outcome.
Most Common Cancers in Young Adults
The number of AYAs being diagnosed with cancer is rising globally. Below are details of some of the most common types of cancer affecting AYAs, the symptoms associated with them, and who is most at risk:
Colorectal Cancer
- Symptoms: Blood in stool, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and iron-deficiency anemia4,5
- Who is at risk: Typically, adults in their 20s or 30s with a family history (eg, Lynch syndrome) have an increased risk4. Often diagnosed after a colonoscopy and a computed tomography (CT) scan.
Lung Cancer
- Symptoms: Chronic cough and chest pain5
- Who is at risk: Rare in people in their 20s, but has been linked to increased smoking in this population. CT scans are often used for detection.
Stomach / Gastric Cancer
- Symptoms: Indigestion, nausea, and fatigue
- Who is at risk: Higher in people with a family history6.
Thyroid Cancer
- Symptoms: Lump in the neck and hoarseness
- Who is at risk: Often women in their 20s and 30s1,5.
Melanoma
- Symptoms: New moles, or moles which have changed size and color5
- Who is at risk: Individuals who have increased UV exposure and a family history. Early detection is critical as it's much more curable the earlier it’s found5.
Esophageal / Throat Cancer
- Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing and changes in voice
- Who is at risk: Linked to people who smoke, high alcohol use, and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection7.
Pancreatic Cancer
- Symptoms: Pain and jaundice. Often doesn’t have any symptoms until a late stage.
- Who is at risk: Individuals who smoke and have high alcohol use are more at risk8.
Liver Cancer
- Symptoms: Jaundice, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Often, symptoms are only present at a late stage
- Who is at risk: Linked to alcohol use or hepatitis9.
Brain Tumors
- Symptoms: Headaches, vision problems, and mood changes5
- Who is at risk: Can occur at any age, even in AYAs.
Breast Cancer
- Symptoms: Lumps, thickening of breast skin, and nipple discharge5
- Who is at risk: Women over the age of 25 and those with a family history (eg, BRCA mutations)10.
Oral Cancer
- Symptoms: Mouth sores, persistent pain, and lumps
- Who is at risk: Lined to HPV infection and tobacco use11.
Early Signs of Cancer in Young Adults
Awareness of early signs of cancer is essential for timely diagnosis and improved outcomes. Seeking medical attention early can significantly improve survival rates in young people, so being aware of early symptoms is crucial and should not be overlooked. Common early symptoms include12:
GI Symptoms
- Bloating
- Changes in bowel habits
- Stomach pain
Fatigue / Weight Loss
- Persistent tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
Lumps or Swellings
- Breast
- Neck
- Armpit
- Groin
Neurological Symptoms
- Vision issues
- Seizures
- Cognitive changes
Skin Changes
- New or changing moles
- Unexplained rashes
Why Early Detection Is Harder in Younger People
Low Clinical Suspicion
Many doctors assume that because an individual is young, this means they are healthy. This often leaves young people vulnerable to significant delays in diagnosis or being misdiagnosed as having another health problem12. Healthcare providers may attribute fatigue, pain, or gastrointestinal changes to more common health conditions like anxiety, stress, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Patient-Related Delays
Often, young adults themselves may delay seeking medical advice, usually due to denial or lack of awareness around cancer symptoms. This leaves young patients only seeking medical advice when symptoms are severe and persistent.
Healthcare System Barriers
Young adults are less likely to have regular access to primary care or health insurance12. This means they often miss out on early detection, and referrals for imaging and specialist evaluation may be delayed.
Lack of Routine Screening
Routine screening is usually only carried out in AYAs for the risk of cervical cancer and in high-risk cases of colorectal cancer12. This means that cancer in many young people is left undetected until symptoms are more severe, making it much harder to treat.
Ezra’s Role
At Ezra, we offer a full-body MRI scan, which can provide early baseline scans for young adults at higher risk of developing cancer. Screening regularly and when symptoms appear can help those who feel dismissed in traditional healthcare systems take control of their health. Our AI-assisted full-body MRI can screen for potential abnormalities in 13 organs in a quick and painless 30 - 60 minute session. If you are experiencing symptoms or want to take proactive steps for your health, consider booking a scan with us today.
Conclusion
There's a growing concern surrounding the increasing number of cancer diagnoses in AYAs. Young people are often left vulnerable to cancer due to the ever-growing number of risk factors, including environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. It’s essential to listen to your own body, as you're the best person to know if there's a problem. If you are experiencing symptoms, speak to your healthcare provider and take control of your health by booking in for one of Ezra’s scans. At Ezra, we offer a proactive and empowering approach to take control of your health, particularly for individuals under 40 who may otherwise be overlooked.
Ezra offers fast, non-invasive full-body MRI scans that can detect abnormalities in up to 13 organs. Be proactive about your health with early detection—book your Ezra Scan today.
