◆ MASSAGE MENTOR ◆
The younger generation is on the rise for cancer!
YOUNGER GENERATION AND CANCER
In the 10 years I have been teaching oncology, what I have witnessed, statistically as well as experientially, has changed remarkably.
BY SUSAN FINDLAY
When I first offered oncology massage my clientele was of the later-in-life age group but that has shifted now, these days it’s quite common to be working with people who range from teenagers to young adults. Of course, there is a much younger group that is affected, but for this article, I will discuss the rise in the 16-35 age group. The stats 10 years ago indicated that 1 in 20 were predicted to develop cancer at some point in their life, however, it’s now a remarkable 1 in 2! We do have to be careful with the statistics though, we need to consider that we are living r longer, and the increased number of cancer cases is largely based on those who are of retirement age.
Cancer is increasingly impacting younger generations, with various types showing up in children and adolescents more frequently. Factors like genetics, environmental influences and lifestyle changes can contribute to this rise, with genetics playing a lesser role than the combination of environment and lifestyle. Genetics increases the risk, whilst not guaranteeing you will get cancer and the combination of your lifestyle plus environment will play an important role in minimizing this risk.
The most common forms of cancer affecting younger people include:
1. Leukaemia:
Particularly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which are more prevalent in children and young adults.
2. Brain Tumours: These are the most common solid tumours in children, with types like medulloblastoma and gliomas being common.