Understanding Cancer in Young Adults: Causes, Risks & Healthy Living

This essay examines the prevalence, predisposing factors, and potential prevention strategies related to cancer in young adults. It highlights that approximately 70,000 young individuals in the United States are affected by cancer annually, with specific types like leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid, and testicular cancers being more common in the 15-24 age group, while breast cancer and melanoma are prevalent among those aged 25-39. The essay delves into the complex pathophysiology of cancer, attributing it primarily to genetic mutations within DNA that lead to abnormal cell proliferation. It identifies factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, carcinogenic agents, hormones, HPV infection, gastrointestinal reflux, and chronic inflammation as potential contributors to gene mutation. The essay also touches upon the role of DNA repair genes and inherited clinical conditions in cancer development, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle choices like avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and practicing safe sex to mitigate cancer risks. Furthermore, it suggests genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer to identify any inherent mutations and recommends avoiding harmful radiations and chemical fumes.

Running head: CANCER IN YOUNG ADULTS
CANCER IN YOUNG ADULTS
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1CANCER IN YOUNG ADULTS
Cancer in young adults
About 70,000 young people all over the world have been suffering from cancer each year
in the United States. However the incidence of certain types of cancer varies with age. Leukemia,
lymphoma, thyroid cancer and testicular cancer are the most common types of cancer that are
found among the 15-24 years older adults1. Again breast cancer and melanoma are common
among the 25-39 years old. According to the evidences, cancer in young adults can have unique
biological features. This essay focuses on the prevalence of cancer among the young adults, the
predisposing factors and some recommendations for developing healthy habits.
Many researches have been done to identify the exact cause of cancer yet the exact
reason is yet unknown. The path physiology of cancer is complex. Cancer is mainly cause due to
genetic mutations within the DNA causing a cell to proliferate abnormally1. A mutation in the
tumor suppressor genes permits the cancer cells to grow continuously. There are few factors that
act as predisposing causes for the growth of cancers in adults. A number of forces can be
responsible for gene mutation such as smoking, exposure to radiations, and exposure to
carcinogenic agent, hormones, HPV infection due to unsafe sex, gastrointestinal reflux and
chronic inflammation1. These factors enhance the chance of developing cancer, yet the real
reason is still to be discovered.
1 Bleyer, Archie, et al. "The distinctive biology of cancer in adolescents and young adults." Nature Reviews
Cancer 8.4 (2008): 288.

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Furthermore there are DNA repair genes that look for mistakes within the DNA. Any
mutation in the DNA repair genes will occasionally overlook the errors in DNA. This causes a
cell to become malignant. Less is known regarding the causes of cancer in the adolescents. Few
cancers in this age group are ascribed to the environmental aspects except the clear cell
carcinoma in the cervix of the adolescents, which is caused by the diethylstilbestrol taken during
pregnancy for preventing spontaneous abortion. Cancer due to radiation can occur in the young
adults although most of the exposure then might have occurred during childhood. Skin cancer,
sarcoma, lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, oral cancers and hepatic cancers can occur at a
higher rate in persons having inherited clinical conditions like ataxia telangiectasia, xeroderma
pigmentosa 2. However these cancers are rare. Extent of the exposure to the carcinogenic
substances is relative to tobacco, age sunlight and diet related cancers3. Exceptions can be seen
such as Melanoma is caused both in Australian adults and adolescents owing to the solar
exposure. Breast cancer can be associated with women born with BRCA1 mutations. Colorectal
cancers in young adults have two distinctive characteristics, the highest occurrence of the
microsatellite instability (MSI) and the highest occurrence of the heritable form of colorectal
cancer3.
2 Kent, Erin E., et al. "Talking about cancer and meeting peer survivors: social information needs of adolescents and
young adults diagnosed with cancer." Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology 2.2 (2013): 44-52.
3 Llewellyn, Carrie D., et al. "An analysis of risk factors for oral cancer in young people: a case-control study." Oral
oncology40.3 (2004): 304-313.

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Furthermore the pattern of the histopathological types of the colorectal cancer is different
in the adolescents as compared to the adults4. The outcome of the cancer also varies with age.
Children having diffused large B cell lymphoma have higher survival rate as compared to the
older adults4.
Certain lifestyles are associated with cancer such as smoking, drinking, obesity, extreme
disclosure to sun and unsafe sex. Although only a small portion of cancers are due to inherited
conditions, yet it is possible that a genetic mutation may pass to the next generation5. In such a
case genetic testing can be done for checking any inherent mutation. It is better to avoid being
exposed to harmful radiations and smokes such as secondhand smoke, chemical fumes5.
A healthy life style, proper exercise and diet can reduce the risk of cancers that are
caused due to the environmental factors.
4 You, Y. Nancy, et al. "Young-onset colorectal cancer: is it time to pay attention?." Archives of internal
medicine 172.3 (2012): 287-289.
5 Kent, Erin E., et al. "Talking about cancer and meeting peer survivors: social information needs of adolescents and
young adults diagnosed with cancer." Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology 2.2 (2013): 44-52.

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References
Bleyer, Archie, et al. "The distinctive biology of cancer in adolescents and young adults." Nature
Reviews Cancer 8.4 (2008): 288.
Kent, Erin E., et al. "Talking about cancer and meeting peer survivors: social information needs
of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer." Journal of adolescent and young adult
oncology 2.2 (2013): 44-52.
Llewellyn, Carrie D., et al. "An analysis of risk factors for oral cancer in young people: a case-
control study." Oral oncology40.3 (2004): 304-313.
Moon, Eun-Kyeong, et al. "Cancer incidence and survival among adolescents and young adults
in Korea." PLoS One9.5 (2014): e96088.
You, Y. Nancy, et al. "Young-onset colorectal cancer: is it time to pay attention?." Archives of
internal medicine 172.3 (2012): 287-289.