Young Women Are Nearly Twice As Likely To Be Diagnosed With Cancer Than Young Men

Cancer diagnoses are 82% higher in young women, largely due to increasing breast and thyroid cancer
Young female patient waiting in doctor's exam room

Second only to heart disease, cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics — which means it’s a threat to everyone.

But, unfortunately, according to a new report published by the American Cancer Society, "alarming disparities persist" when it comes to which populations are most seriously impacted by the deadly disease.

Among other notable imbalances, the study found that young women (those under age 50) are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men in the same age group, a figure which has risen 51% since 2002.

Why is cancer on the rise in young women?

The report notes that, overall, cancer-related deaths have been on the decline over the last 30 years. Thanks to a reduction in smoking, earlier detection for certain types of cancers, and improved treatment modalities, the researchers suggest an estimated 4.5 million deaths have been avoided since 1991.

But at the specific population level, some groups have fared better than others. For example, Native Americans have the highest cancer mortality rate — including death rates two or three times higher than white populations when it comes to cancers of the kidney, liver, stomach or cervix. Black cancer patients are also twice as likely as white patients to die of certain cancer types.

The disparity across sex lines is particularly steep — and actively worsening for the female half of the population. "Overall cancer incidence has generally declined in men but has risen in women," the report reads. Specifically, the rate of cancer incidents in women under 50 was 82% higher than in men of the same age bracket in 2021.

The researchers suggest the trend is owed largely to increasing rates of breast and thyroid cancers in younger women, "which make up almost one half (46%) of all cancers in this age group."

Men under 50 are seeing increasing rates of certain types of cancers, including colorectal, testicular and kidney cancers as well as leukemia. Still, overall, these increases are offset by declines in other common types of cancers (including melanoma and prostate cancer).

Protecting yourself from cancer — physically and financially

An important silver lining to keep in mind: For populations of both sexes, cancer-related mortality rates are continuing to trend downward. Many cancers, including both breast and thyroid cancers, are highly survivable when caught early.

That means that regularly checking yourself and monitoring for cancer symptoms is an important step toward getting ahead of the disease.

For example, women are encouraged by many medical experts to perform a breast self-exam (BSE) each month. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, seven to 10 days after the first day of one’s menstrual period is an ideal time frame, as this is when the breasts are "the least tender and lumpy."

Patients should also follow their doctors’ advice when it comes to scheduling more in-depth screenings. The U.S. The Preventative Services Task Force recommends adults over 45 should be screened for colorectal cancers, a process that may include colonoscopies. For women, mammograms for breast cancer screening should begin at age 40.

Additionally, there are some behavioral modifications that can greatly decrease your risk for certain types of cancers.

The Surgeon General recently issued an advisory stating that even one alcoholic drink per week increases the risk of alcohol-related cancers, including esophageal, breast, liver and colorectal cancers, by 16.5% for women and 10.0% for men. The risk increases as beverages per week go up — so cutting down on drinking is a good step, though quitting is even better.

Additionally, rates of invasive melanoma have also been on the rise — so making sure to slather on the SPF is another healthy habit.

While the importance of protecting your wealth pales in comparison to safeguarding your physical health, having the right health insurance plan can turn cancer-related medical bills from a financial catastrophe into an inconvenience. Securing life insurance can also help protect your loved ones’ livelihoods in the event of your death — and doing so ahead of a diagnosis is key, since preexisting conditions can substantially narrow your available options.

If you already have a cancer diagnosis, searching for the right Medicare plan might help lower your out-of-pocket costs — and supplemental health insurance can be another way to lower costs like your deductible or copay.

In any event, what’s crucial when it comes to cancer is planning and prevention — so thinking about this unpleasant topic now could help you avoid an even more unpleasant diagnosis in the future.

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