Opinion: When it comes to early-onset cancer, the Princess of Wales is unfortunately not alone

Sustainable Development Goals and the Changing Face of Cancer

Introduction

Dr. Sharlene Gill is a professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia, a medical oncologist practising in Vancouver and the President of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists.

The Changing Face of Cancer

Last week, the 42-year-old Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared the surprising news that she is on preventative (adjuvant) chemotherapy after a diagnosis of cancer found during abdominal surgery for what was believed to be a benign condition. Surrounded by what appear to be daffodils, a flower associated with the fight against cancer, she said: “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

Speculation remains about the type and stage of her cancer, but what is clear is that it took tremendous courage to publicly disclose the private and difficult reality of a cancer diagnosis. I commend Catherine for sharing her personal story and using her platform to remind us that cancer affects us all – that it does not discriminate by race, gender, religion, social status or, notably, age.

We have heard this statistic often: an estimated two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and one in four will die of it. But while cancer is, of course, hard at any age, it is particularly hard to accept in a young person. This, however, is no longer rare. The majority of cancers still occur in an older population, but early-onset cancers – diagnosed in patients under the age of 50 – are increasing at a rapid and alarming rate. I find myself having difficult cancer conversations with young families on a daily basis, and this was certainly not the case when I started my practice 20 years ago. The cancer community is calling this an early-onset-cancer epidemic.

The Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Early-onset cancers pose a significant challenge to achieving good health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
• Efforts should be made to raise awareness about the increasing incidence of early-onset cancers and the need for prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.

• Education plays a crucial role in promoting cancer prevention strategies, encouraging regular screenings, and recognizing symptoms early.
• Increased education and awareness can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate medical guidance.

• Governments, healthcare providers, researchers, and communities must collaborate to address the challenges posed by early-onset cancers.
• Targeted funding is needed to support research into early-onset cancers and develop comprehensive cancer-care systems that cater to the unique needs of young adults living with cancer.

Prevention and Early Detection

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and this cancer well illustrates the changing epidemiology of early-onset cancers. The cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women. While rates are declining in people older than 50, Canadians born after 1980 are now 2 to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with it than previous generations at the same age.

The reasons for this age shift are uncertain, though theories abound, including heavily processed diets, lack of exercise, early obesity, our gut microbiome, and our environment. But we do know this: we can no longer afford to dismiss potential symptoms by saying “you are too young to get cancer.” Instead, we need to re-examine our screening guidelines to look for cancer before symptoms appear amid a changing demographic for cancer.

In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revised its guidelines for colorectal cancer screening in average-risk individuals from the age of 50 to now include younger individuals between the ages of 45 to 49 years. Canada still recommends screening at the age of 50, however, and there are widespread calls to lower our age threshold as well. This goes hand in hand with a need for greater public and primary-care awareness to encourage screening and recognize symptoms early.

Individual Responsibility and Government Action

theglobeandmail.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.