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Jasmin Hundal: The Rising Tide of Cancer in Young Adults

Jasmin Hundal/X

Feb 17, 2025, 06:26

Jasmin Hundal: The Rising Tide of Cancer in Young Adults

Jasmin Hundal, Hematology Oncology Fellow at Cleveland Clinic, shared her recent article on LinkedIn:

“The Rising Tide of Cancer in Young Adults: Why Prevention and Survivorship Care Matter.

For decades, cancer was seen as a disease of aging. But now, researchers worldwide are grappling with an alarming trend: more young adults are being diagnosed with cancer, often at advanced stages.

A recent BMJ Oncology study found that early-onset cancers increased globally by 79% in incidence and 28% in deaths from 1990 to 2019. While breast cancer remains the most common, cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, and stomach are rising at staggering rates among younger adults.

Some of this rise is due to better screening and detection, but experts believe modern life is accelerating cancer risk in ways we don’t yet fully understand.

Possible contributors?

• Diet and Gut Health: Ultra-processed foods, red meat, and gut microbiome disruption.
• Environmental Exposures: Microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and pollutants in food, water, and air.
• Lifestyle and Metabolic Factors: Obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation.
• Epigenetics and Early-Life Exposure: Could in utero or childhood exposures set the stage for cancer later?

Why Prevention and Survivorship Care Are Critical.

While research continues, we must act now by prioritizing prevention and survivorship care:

Prevention through healthy nutrition, exercise, limiting harmful exposures, and early screenings.
Personalized survivorship care includes metabolic health optimization, lifestyle support, and mental health resources to improve long-term outcomes.
Access to evidence-based care for young adults who often face unique challenges, from fertility concerns to financial toxicity.

The rising burden of cancer in young adults is a wake-up call, and we need a shift in focus toward prevention, early detection, and comprehensive survivorship programs.

What steps do you think we need to take to improve cancer prevention and care for young survivors? Let’s discuss!”

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