For a long time, cancer has been talked about as something that happens later in life. Something you worry about down the road. Something tied to retirement age — not college classes, first apartments, new careers, or figuring out who you are.
But more and more young people are learning that cancer doesn’t always wait.
If it feels like you’re hearing about more cancer diagnoses among people in their teens, 20s, and 30s, you’re not imagining it. Research shows that while cancer is still far more common in older adults, certain cancers are increasing in younger people, often referred to as early-onset cancers. These include colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and uterine cancers, among others.
This doesn’t mean cancer has suddenly become common among young people, nor does it mean every cancer is on the rise. Overall, cancer is still much more likely to affect people over age 50. But the shift matters — because it means younger people are increasingly part of the cancer conversation, and they need support that reflects where they are in life.
Why This Matters for Young People
Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age often comes with challenges that don’t always get enough attention:
- Balancing treatment with school, work, or early career demands
- Navigating fertility concerns and future family planning
- Feeling isolated when peers don’t relate
- Hearing “you’re too young for this” — again and again
Young people with cancer often exist in an in-between space: not pediatric patients, but not older adults either. That’s why age-specific care and peer support are so important.
How CSC Supports Adolescents and Young Adults
At Cancer Support Community, we see every day that cancer doesn’t follow an age rulebook — but support should still meet people where they are.
That’s why we offer a Young Adult Patient & Survivor Support Group, created specifically for individuals ages 18-39 navigating cancer. This group meets weekly on Zoom, making it accessible regardless of location. It’s a space for honest conversation — about treatment, relationships, fear, uncertainty, resilience, and everything in between — without having to explain why cancer at 25 feels fundamentally different than cancer at 65.
In addition to our support groups, CSC proudly partners with City of Hope’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program, which serves patients ages 15–39. The AYA program recognizes that cancer during these years affects more than physical health — it impacts identity, education, independence, relationships, mental health, and future plans. Together, this partnership helps ensure young people receive both specialized medical care and meaningful emotional support.
So Why Are Some Cancers Increasing in Younger People?
Researchers are still working to understand exactly why early-onset cancers are becoming more common, but several factors are being closely studied:
- Lifestyle and metabolic changes, including rising rates of obesity and insulin resistance
- Dietary shifts, particularly increased consumption of ultra-processed foods
- Environmental exposures and long-term inflammation
- Changes in reproductive patterns, such as later childbirth
- Alterations in gut health and the microbiome
- Improved detection and awareness, leading to earlier diagnosis
Importantly, there is no single cause — and no one is to blame for their cancer. These trends reflect complex, long-term changes in our environments, systems, and daily lives.
Keeping Perspective
Even with these increases, cancer among young adults remains relatively rare. In the United States, people ages 20–39 account for only a small percentage of all cancer diagnoses each year. Still, when cancer happens early in life, its impact can be profound — and that’s why visibility, research, and support matter so deeply.
The Takeaway
Cancer is not just an “older person’s disease.” Young people get cancer — and they deserve to be believed, supported, and cared for in ways that reflect their stage of life.
If you or someone you love is facing cancer as a young person, know this: you are not alone. Community, connection, and support are available — right here, and every step of the way.
References (APA Style)
American Cancer Society. (2024). Cancer in young adults (ages 20–39): Key statistics. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cancer-in-young-adults/about/key-statistics.html
Arnold, M., et al. (2022). Global patterns and trends in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in young adults. Gut, 71(3), 459–470. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322846
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Cancer incidence among adolescents and young adults. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/age/aya
Sung, H., et al. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
U.S. National Institutes of Health. (2022). Early-onset cancers are increasing in the United States. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/early-onset-cancers-increasing