Queen Stewart, a lawyer and mother of two, received the devastating news of her breast cancer diagnosis at the young age of 35. Making matters worse, she discovered the lump herself, as she was not eligible for insurance-covered screenings due to her age.
“The overwhelming fear of not being able to be there for my daughters consumed me,” Stewart emotionally revealed in an interview with CBS News.
A recently published study in BMJ Oncology, which can be found here, highlights the alarming increase in cancer rates across the globe among individuals under the age of 50.
The study analyzed data from 204 countries spanning from 1990 to 2019. Shockingly, it discovered that in 2019 alone, there were over 3.26 million reported cases of early-onset cancer, a staggering increase from the 1.82 million cases reported in 1990, representing a shocking 79.1% rise.
To qualify as early-onset cancer, the diagnosis must occur between the ages of 14 and 49, as defined by the study.
In addition, the number of deaths resulting from early-onset cancer surged from approximately 800,000 in 1990 to 1.06 million in 2019, as the researchers found. Among the 29 types of cancer examined in the study, breast cancer accounted for the highest proportion of early-onset cases in 2019, representing 16.5% of the total, as well as the most early-onset deaths at 12.84%
Meanwhile, the incident rates for early-onset prostate cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer displayed the most rapid increase over the 30-year period examined.
“The numbers revealed by this study are remarkable,” expressed Dr. Christopher Flowers, an esteemed oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The study also highlighted the influential role played by genetics, alongside factors such as poor diet, alcohol and tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity, in the rise of early-onset cancer cases. The researchers concluded, “Dietary risk factors (such as diets high in red meat, low in fruits, high in sodium, and low in milk), alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are the primary risk factors underlying early-onset cancers.”
Moreover, the availability of medical care in different regions was found to impact the number of early-onset cancer cases and deaths.
“Younger individuals who meet the screening criteria should seriously consider undergoing screenings at the appropriate age,” advised Dr. Flowers.
In the United States, the recommended age for initiating colon cancer screenings was recently lowered from 50 to 45, and the recommended age for breast cancer screenings was reduced from 50 to 40.
“The importance of screenings cannot be overstated, especially for cancers that can be detected through screening, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer,” emphasized Dr. Flowers.
According to projections in the study, early-onset cancer rates are expected to increase by 31% by 2030, accompanied by a 21% rise in cancer-related deaths.
Meanwhile, Stewart underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments in her battle against breast cancer. Thankfully, she is currently in remission and cherishes each day with newfound gratitude.
“My diagnosis forced me to realize the urgency of living life to the fullest, finding joy, and being present for my family,” Stewart reflected on her transformative journey.
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