David Chuter, Chairperson of the Board of Digestive Cancers Europe and Chair of Independent Cancer Patients’ Voice, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Although I am based in the UK, this post is important globally.
I was diagnosed 19 years ago when aged 52 and was one of the youngest the team had seen, now though our UK support network we are seeing patients in their 30’s and even younger being diagnosed and too often at a late stage as early symptoms were dismissed by doctors as they were just too young for this kind of cancer.
We do need public awareness, also more crucially healthcare professionals awareness that age cannot and must not be a barrier to cancer diagnosis. If the same symptoms are there then it can be cancer whether aged 25 or 65.
What is missing from the associated risks in the environment aspect, I worked in printing factories where ink/chemical fumes and paper dust was an issue and have seen so many colleagues diagnosed with Esophageal, Gastric and Lung cancer over the years.
I am not aware of any research looking at whether a city Vs rural environment that could show different figures for this cancer.
Genetic testing is also important as I lost my younger brother to the same cancer and another brother has Barrett’s as do two of my cousins.”
Quoting JAMA’s post:
“Early-onset gastrointestinal cancer is currently the most rapidly increasing early-onset cancer in the US.
This JAMA Patient Page describes early-onset GI cancer and its risk factors, signs and symptoms, management, prognosis, and prevention measures.”
Read the full article on JAMA.
More posts about GI Cancers.