By Carley Jackson
“Just try and imagine your dreams being put on hold and you don’t know if you will ever get them back,” says James, an RVCC student and cancer patient.
According to Barbara Tofani, Director of Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, some cancers are on the rise among young adults. In particular, officials are seeing an increase in colon and breast cancer among people 19 to 24.
It isn’t clear what’s causing the increase, since genetics plays a large part in determining who develops certain cancers. But Tofani says “poor lifestyle choices” may be the culprit.
Making good lifestyle choices can help most young adults avoid cancer, she says. Not starting to smoke, or quitting if you already do, can make a difference. And resisting some of the negative aspects of our fast-paced lifestyle can help, too. “Poor nutrition and other bad eating habits in people cause a higher risk for certain cancers,” Tofani says. Not using protection during intercourse puts you at a higher risk of cervical cancer, as well as other life-threatening diseases.
According to Tofani, lymphoma, testicular cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer (some not associated with smoking) are among the most prevalent in young adults here. Tests for these cancers are typically given to older people, not young adults.
While lymphoma, testicular, and lung cancer are brought on by other factors (some of which are unknown, according to Tofani), people with a family history of breast and colon cancer are at a higher risk for them. So knowing your family medical history can guide efforts to discover some cancers and avoid others, she says. “There is a test for children or family members of people with cancer to find out if they have the gene for that cancer,” Tofani says.
Having an annual physical, something young people often neglect, can give your doctor additional opportunities for early detection. Increased education and earlier testing can help too, says Tofani.
James’ cancer is in remission. Still, it was the hardest thing he has ever had to deal with, he says. “It’s a real reality check.”
There are many ways to help fight cancer in our community, and help increase awareness of cancer in young adults, like the annual Relay For Life, held in the spring. For more information go to hunterdonhealthcare.org/hmc.asp.
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