Cancer diagnoses are rising in people under 50. Doctors aren't sure why, but they're seeing a particular increase in cases of breast cancer, lymphoma, and colon cancer in younger people.
Several other cancers, such as testicular, kidney and pancreatic, are also on the rise, although they remain quite rare in patients under 50.
Below, Dr. Paul E. Oberstein, MD, medical oncologist and director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, outlines some symptoms that may indicate cancer in young people.
More and more people under 50 are being diagnosed with cancer (Photo: Newsatlas).
Changes in the intestines
For colon cancer, doctors are particularly concerned about changes in a person's bowel movements. If the stool looks different — darker, different in size, or contains blood — that's cause for concern. These are abnormalities that should be followed up with a health care professional.
According to The New York Post , doctors have been tracking an increase in colon cancer in the United States and around the world over the past decade. They believe the increase is related to changes in the environment and diet, but so far the exact cause has not been determined.
Unintentional weight loss
People with cancer may experience unintentional weight loss, rapid satiety (feeling full quickly after eating), changes in energy levels, or changes in sleep patterns. These are very general things and do not usually mean cancer, but they can sometimes be the first sign that something is wrong.
The most prominent of these symptoms is unintentional weight loss. People usually do not lose weight without trying. If someone loses weight unintentionally or notices that they no longer want to eat, they should talk to their health care provider.
Abnormal lump
One of the most common cancers in people under 50 is breast cancer. Usually, patients discover an abnormality, such as a lump, change in skin color or discharge from the breast.
Another common cancer in young men – although not a common cancer overall – is testicular cancer. Sometimes a man will feel a lump or abnormality in his testicles. Whether or not it hurts, you should have it checked out.
Skin damage
Early signs of melanoma or other skin cancers may appear as abnormalities in the skin. Anything new or changing should be monitored.
Abnormal bleeding
In addition to blood in the stool, there are other types of abnormal bleeding. For example, blood in the urine can be an early sign of a problem with the bladder or kidneys. Vaginal bleeding or bleeding after intercourse can indicate cervical cancer or even possibly endometrial cancer and should be checked.
The good news is that cervical cancer has become less common in younger people.
Night sweats
Finally, you should be concerned if you have night sweats or unexplained fevers or chills. It could be a sign of something brewing in the lymphatic system, such as lymphoma, or it could be a sign of another condition.
Swelling in the glands, including under the armpit or where the lymph nodes are, should certainly raise suspicion.
Other symptoms
- Easy bruising, frequent infections or fatigue can be signs of leukemia, a type of cancer in children.
- Pain, fractures, or other bothersome symptoms may indicate a connective tissue tumor.
- Vision changes, headaches or back pain can signal brain or spinal cord cancer.
- Unintentional weight loss, stomach pain, pain radiating to the back and sometimes jaundice — when the skin turns slightly yellow and the urine is dark — could be pancreatic cancer, a rare disease that is becoming more common in people under 50.
Some things people can do to reduce their risk of cancer include improving their diet, quitting smoking and increasing exercise, as well as monitoring for worrying symptoms and having cancer screening tests appropriate for their age group.
Women under age 50 should have a mammogram to check for breast cancer and a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Colonoscopy to check for colon cancer is recommended for everyone age 45 and older. Prostate cancer screening is recommended for some men.
A person with a family history may need screening for thyroid cancer and leukemia.
It can be scary to talk about cancer symptoms, and worryingly, cancer rates are rising in adults under 50. Scientists are now focusing on research, more widespread screening, and early intervention to reduce the risk of cancer in people under 50.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/bac-si-chi-ra-6-trieu-chung-ung-thu-pho-bien-o-nguoi-tre-20250602070831189.htm
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