Incidence of colorectal, breast, kidney, pancreatic, and uterine cancers is increasing in young adults

 Epidemiological data regarding the incidence of 12 types of cancer among young adults was recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, June 2022.  According to the authors, "the incidence of colorectal, breast, kidney, pancreatic, and uterine cancers is increasing...whilst the incidence of lung, laryngeal, and bladder cancers is decreasing."  Further, the authors concluded that young adults with cancer are more likely to experience diagnostic delays, cautioning that "even when referred, younger patients may be referred through a less urgent route...[which] may results in cancer progressing to a less curable stage." While young adults are susceptible to lifestyle risk factors, namely obesity and smoking, the authors further emphasize that these preventable risk factors must be addressed early on. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: di Martino E, Smith L, Bradley SH, et al. Incidence trends for twelve cancers in younger adults—a rapid review. Br J Cancer 2022;126:1374–1386. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-022-01704-x

Blog postings will resume week of May 30, 2022

  To all Grey Horizon readers, 

Please note that blog postings will resume the week of May 30, 2022. 

Thank you, take care, and stay well.  

Cancer care in war zones: what have we learnt?

 A recent clinical practice perspective interview by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), with Professor Richard Sullivan, from the Conflict and Health Research Group at King's College in London, UK, emphasizes the impact of cancer care in war zones for the global oncology community.  Discussion topics include challenges caring for refugees with cancer, coordinating cancer care support amongst different agencies, and the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine on cancer care in the future. 

To read the complete interview, click here.  

Webinar: survivorship needs for people living with advanced and metastatic Cancers

 A recent webinar by Dr. Michelle Mollica, Senior Advisor at the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Office of Cancer Survivorship, discusses efforts by the NCI on "understanding and addressing the survivorship needs for the growing population of survivors who are living with advanced and metastatic cancers." Dr. Mollica's presentation includes discussions on managing symptoms, psychosocial support, health care delivery and behaviours. 

Fore more information and to view the webinar, click here. 

Increased risk of cancer in early life among individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Results from a recently completed population-based cohort study at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden determined that "individuals with autism spectrum disorders, when present with comorbid intellectual disability and/or birth defects, were at a higher risk of cancer in early life."  With a focus on autism spectrum patients diagnosed with cancer before age 30, the study concluded that "autism spectrum disorders alone...without comorbid intellectual disability or birth defects...was not associated with an increased risk of any cancer."   

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: Liu Q, Yin W, Meijjsen JJ, et al. Cancer risk in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Annals of Oncology; Published online 13 April 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2022.04.006