In youth we feel immune, we are discovering the world, who we are and we have our whole lives ahead of us. It is common that during this period of life the concern for health is something distant, an issue for older people. Unfortunately, cancer is a disease that affects everyone, including the youngest, who feel so invincible at that age.

According to the oncologist Dr. Eduardo Romero, “people used to believe that cancer was a disease of older people, since it was more common in old age. Today, unfortunately, that has changed dramatically. We increasingly see young people with cancer, largely due to lifestyle changes such as: inadequate diet, overweight/obesity, sedentary lifestyle and stress”.

Oncoguia points out that among the most common cancers in teens, aged between 15 and 19 years, are: Lymphomas, Leukemias, Thyroid Cancer, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Testicular Cancer, Bone Tumors and Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Melanoma, and Ovarian Cancer.

Already among the young adults, aged between 20 and 39, are: Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Colorectal Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Female Genital Tract Cancers, Bone Tumors and Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Melanoma, Lymphomas, and Breast Cancer.

We can observe this alarming picture when analyzing North American and Brazilian studies conducted in recent years. The first study in question, carried out by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, collected data from nearly half a million patients between 15 and 39 years of age with cancer, between 1973 and 2015, and discovered that cancer cases among young people increased 30% in the last four decades, making cancer the leading cause of death related to diseases in this age group. The full study can be found hereto.

In Brazil, during the Big Data Oncology Forum (2019), the increase in cancer cases in the population between 20 and 49 years old, from 1997 to 2016, attracted the attention of specialists. During this period, the annual incidence of thyroid cancer increased by 8.8%, prostate cancer 5.2%, and colon and rectal cancer 3.4%. The data are part of the study prepared by the Oncology Observatory, whose theme was Cancer before 50: how data can help with prevention policies. According to the study, there was also an increase in mortality from some types of the disease. The highest percentage was cancer in the body of the uterus, which rose 4.2% per year; followed by colon and rectum with 3.2%, breast 2.5%, oral cavity 1.2%, and cervix 1% . (Information from Agência Brasil)

Dr. Eduardo Romero also points out that “in Brazil, in addition to the increase in cases, there is also an increase in mortality, due to the difficulties we face in our country regarding access to health, both for prevention, screening, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment”. The oncologist also reinforces that “cancer does not choose age, sex, race, religion or place, it is present in our lives more and more. Therefore, do your routine exams, always go to your doctor and discuss with him if there are tests at your age that can be performed for screening and early diagnosis of cancer. Always be aware of symptoms that may be suggestive of neoplasia, but don't wait for symptoms to see a doctor, go to the doctor routinely”.

Below are some examples of tests and vaccines selected by Dr. Eduardo Romero that may contribute to the prevention and early treatment of some types of cancer:

- Breast cancer: mammography exam (starting at age 40 or earlier if there were breast lumps or family history of neoplasia) and breast US (all ages)

- Cervical cancer: pap smear, oncotic cytology, or preventive examination (beginning at age 25)

- Bowel cancer: colonoscopy (beginning at age 45 or earlier if symptoms or family history)

- HPV vaccine: boys from 11 to 14 years old and girls from 9 to 14 years old (available at SUS). The vaccine can prevent cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and head and neck (oropharynx)

The content of this text is informational and does not replace the medical report. If you experience any of the symptoms described above, a doctor should be consulted.

Text by Letícia Barbosa