More young adults are getting cancer—here's how to detect it early and help prevent it
It often comes as a shock when someone gets diagnosed with cancer—be it a distant relative, a friendly neighbor, or a beloved celebrity. But just as shocking is the age of these people upon getting the Big C.
Studies show that more young adults are getting cancer and are dying of it. Why is this happening and what can be done to address this alarming trend?
In a sit-down interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, a Singapore-based oncologist of over 40 years, said it all boils down to lifestyle.
Ang, the medical director of Parkway Cancer Center, highlighted three major factors that could likely lead to the disease: smoking, obesity, and stress.
"All these factors affect cancer incidents," Ang said. "I see a large number of Filipinos (with cancer) in my practice. The cases aren't dissimilar to Singaporeans.”
Ang, in particular, took note of lung, breast, as well as colon and rectum cancer—and pointed out that lung cancer mostly results from cigarette smoking.
"People still smoke even though it's bad for their health," he said. "For some reason, it's addictive. People who stop smoking find it difficult to keep the habit."
Ang also sounded the alarm over obesity as it's a risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast, uterine, and colorectal cancer.
Last March, the WHO noted that nearly 1 in 10 children and 4 in 10 adults in the Philippines are overweight and obese.
Cancer among young adults
While cancer is typically associated with older people, a 2023 study published in the BMJ Oncology journal found that cancer diagnoses in people below 50 years old increased by 79% between 1990 and 2019. Cancer deaths, meanwhile, rose by 28% during the same period and age limit.
In the Philippines alone, there were 190,000 new cancer cases and 113,000 cancer deaths in 2022, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.
A study from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, published in The Lancet Oncology journal in 2017, found that one million cancer cases and 400,000 cancer-related deaths worldwide occurred among individuals aged 20 to 39 years old in 2012.
Last February, the WHO, on its website, said the top cancer cases in 2020—from highest to lowest—were breast, lung, colon and rectum, prostate, skin (non-melanoma), and stomach. In the same year, the most common causes of cancer death were lung, colon and rectum, liver, stomach, and breast.
The Philippine Cancer Society in 2023 said 65% of breast cancer cases in the country are diagnosed in the advanced or late stages due to a lack of adequate treatment and early detection. Of these cases, there's a 44.4% survival rate, with a relative survival rate over five years for breast cancer among Filipinos.
For breast cancer, Ang noted that the youngest patient he had was 18.
Preventing cancer
Ang is advocating for the age-old saying, "Prevention is better than cure," noting that cancer treatment can be exorbitant.
He noted that public education is key, especially when it comes to the risks of cigarette smoking and obesity.
"People have to know what's good or bad for them," he said.
When it comes to smoking, Ang couldn't put it more straightforwardly: Don't smoke, and stop smoking.
As for obesity, he underscored the importance of a healthy diet consisting of balanced servings of protein, vegetables, and fruits. He also urged the public to exercise regularly not only to get in good shape but also to maintain a healthy heart.
Ang said vaccination can also be a form of preventing cancer. He said a large proportion of liver cancer patients are hepatitis B carriers, and the disease—as well as cancer, ultimately—can be prevented if more people get vaccinated against it.
"With that, in the years to come, I'm sure we'd see a gradual decline in liver cancer cases," he said.
As for cervical cancer, Ang said its primary cause is human papillomavirus, which is spread through sex. He said young girls should get vaccinated against HPV before they become sexually active.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommends that children ages 11 to 12 get two doses of the HPV vaccine, given six to 12 months apart.
Children ages 9 to 14 who got HPV vaccines less than five months apart will need a third dose, while those between 15 and 26 who took the series late need three HPV vaccine doses.
Those older than 26, meanwhile, aren't recommended to get an HPV vaccine anymore.
Detecting cancer early
Ang took note of eight warning signs and symptoms, which, though they don't necessarily and automatically mean cancer, must be given medical attention if they persist. They are the following:
- sores that refuse to heal;
- nagging cough or hoarseness;
- unusual bleeding or discharge;
- indigestion or difficulty in swallowing;
- thickening of lump in the breast or other body parts;
- recent changes in a wart or mole;
- change in bowel habits or bladder function; and
- unexplained weight loss or fever.
"The sad truth is that many, many patients present very advanced stages of cancer," he said. "It's important for people to have access to good primary healthcare."
Breast cancer can be detected early with a five-step self-exam:
- Look at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Alert your doctor if you see the following changes: dimple, puckering, or bulging of the skin; a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple; or redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.
- Raise your arms and look for the mentioned changes.
- Look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples.
- Feel your breasts in a firm, smooth, and circular motion while lying down. Make sure that you cover the whole breast and feel all the tissue.
- Feel your breasts while standing or sitting.
Ang advised women to go for an annual mammogram upon reaching 40, while those who are 50 and up must do it twice a year. Breast self-exams, meanwhile, must be done monthly.
He said a pap smear can be done (starting at 21) for cervical cancer and a colonoscopy (starting at 45) for colon cancer. Blood or stool testing may also be done for cancer detection.
"People now look better after themselves, in the sense that they live longer," he pointed out.
Ultimately, Ang reminded the public that cancer is not a death sentence.
"It's treatable and potentially curable," he stressed. "If you're unlucky to get cancer, remember to stay positive and live life to its fullest."
