As a medical oncologist, I am heartbroken — but hardly surprised. In fact, it is part of a rising global trend in which newly diagnosed cancer patients are getting younger. The global incidence of early-onset cancer increased by 79.1% and early-onset cancer deaths rose by 27.7% from 1990 to 2019, a 2023 study in the journal BMJ Oncology found. And because early-onset cancers are often diagnosed at advanced stages, they were once thought to be biologically different and more pernicious than their older counterparts. Younger patients may be pregnant at the start of therapy or worry about the effects on fertility.

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Persons: Jalal Baig, Catherine , Princess of Wales, Kimmie Ng, “, haven’t, oncologist Jalal Baig, Suneel Kamath, ” Kamath Organizations: Washington Post, NBC News, Foreign, CNN, BMJ Oncology, American Medical Association, Dana, Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Globe, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, for Young, Cleveland Clinic, US Preventive Services Task Force Locations: Chicago, Washington, United States, Wales