Cancer epidemic among young adults

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Extract from the article: Cancer is often thought to affect mainly older people. Yet almost a million adults aged between 20 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Women are particularly affected, especially by breast, cervical and thyroid cancers. These figures, from a

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Cancer is often thought to affect mainly older people. Yet almost a million adults aged between 20 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Women are particularly affected, especially by breast, cervical and thyroid cancers. These figures, from a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, show the importance of not neglecting the risk of cancer in young people. 

In Togo, cervical cancer is the second most deadly cancer in women, just behind breast cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's 2020 report. In 2020, 595 cases were recorded, including 417 deaths, giving a mortality rate of 70%. There are many causes of cancer in young adults, and they vary from one region of the world to another. While viral infections play an important role in developing countries, other factors such as lifestyle and the environment are also involved.

The consequences of cancer in young people are often more dramatic, both personally and socially. In view of these alarming findings, reported on the Lancet Oncology website, there is an urgent need to step up cancer prevention and screening among young adults. Better knowledge of risk factors, awareness campaigns and easier access to care are essential to improve patients' prognosis and quality of life. In the event of a cancer scare, consult a doctor specialising in the field as soon as possible.

Esther KOLANI