Charmella and Kiki Roark, two sisters from New Jersey, are part of a growing trend in the US: more younger women are being diagnosed with cancer. Kiki was first diagnosed with stage I breast cancer at 37, after experiencing sharp pain in her armpit and pushing her doctors to order a mammogram. Two years later, Charmella, 44, received the same diagnosis. They are not alone; according to a report by the American Cancer Society, cancer rates have been rising among young women, with men and women under 50 now experiencing a higher incidence rate than their older counterparts.
The report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, found that breast and thyroid cancers in women are driving this trend. Young women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer as young men, and middle-aged women now have a slightly higher cancer risk than men. Dr. Rebecca Siegel, lead author of the report, notes that breast and thyroid cancer account for almost half of all cancer diagnoses in women younger than 50.
The Roark sisters’ experiences highlight the importance of advocating for themselves and staying on top of routine breast cancer screenings. Kiki’s diagnosis was initially met with skepticism by her doctors, who told her that a mammogram was unnecessary at her age. However, she persisted and eventually received a diagnosis. Charmella, who was inspired by her sister’s experience, received her own diagnosis four years later.
The trend of increasing cancer incidence among young adults has significant implications for the future of cancer care, including the need for more aggressive therapies and practical considerations such as scheduling chemotherapy treatments to minimize disruptions to daily life. Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, notes that the report shows that age remains the number-one risk factor for cancer overall, but there are shifts occurring, with younger adults and women being more likely to develop cancer.
The report also highlights disparities in cancer outcomes, with Black women being 41% more likely to die from breast cancer and Native Americans having higher death rates from certain types of cancer. Dr. Mariana Chavez-MacGregor notes that the decline in cancer mortality is due to reductions in smoking, earlier detection, and advancements in treatment options.
The Roark sisters, who are now cancer-free, emphasize the importance of advocating for access to medical advancements and screenings. As the cancer incidence among younger adults continues to rise, researchers are exploring various factors that may be contributing to this trend, including changes in fertility patterns, obesity, and environmental factors. A better understanding of these factors can help inform ways to reduce the risk of cancer among young adults, and the American Cancer Society report offers hope for increased awareness and action in the fight against this disease.