Cancer rates increasing among adolescents

The number of new cases of cancer in adolescents and young adults increases inexplicably while survival has not improved over the last twenty-five years, lamented British and American researchers.

Teens and Cancer

The rate rose from 15.4 to 19.8 cases per 100,000 population between 1979 and 2000, an average increase of 1.2% per year, said Dr. Jill Brich of Manchester University, who analyzed the data among youth aged 13 to 24 years in the United Kingdom.

In presenting these data at the 3rd International Conference on adolescent cancer organized by the Teenage Cancer Trust in London, Professor Brich called for the establishment of a register of specific cancer for adolescents to clarify the causes of cancer in this age group.

"We need a specific classification for 13-24 years with biologically similar cancers combined and diagnostic categories that allow maximum flexibility for analysis. A standard internationally accepted classification is guaranteed to have data comparable records, "she said.

Genetics and environment

Reflecting on possible risk factors, she said that "the early age of onset and lack of opportunity [because of the age of the patients] to chronic exposure to environmental factors suggests that genetic predisposition may be significant. "

"The genes and mutations with high penetrance [proportion of carriers actually developing the disease people] are probably responsible for only a small proportion of cases. But more likely is that cancers develop because of exposure to risk factor in a genetically predisposed individual, "she added.

The increasing incidence of certain cancers over time should reflect the presence of more frequent or more high some environmental risk factors. In addition, changes in lifestyle in recent years may also play a role.

Infections in early life may be important for the risk of lymphoma. In addition, genetics may make individuals more susceptible to viruses that cause cancer. Passive smoking may also be a risk factor for certain cancers.

No increase in survival of 15-29 since 1980

In addition, Professor Archie Bleyer, Director of the Community Clinical Oncology Program at MD Anderson Center in Houston (Texas) reported that survival after cancer in the 15-29 age group has not increased over the last twenty-five years, one that is from 39% to 46% very striking compared to the increase in five-year survival in children result.

Psychological factors may increase the risk of delayed diagnosis because teens and young adults feel more invincible and give less information about them in particular to doctors not trained to read between the lines, said an American expert.

To improve survival, participation in clinical trials 15-29 should be increased. The British government should ask the head of the cancer at the Department of Health to push healthcare organizations to take responsibility. It would also force the pharmaceutical companies to develop clinical trials for young patients, she said.