Cancer Strikes Younger: Why Early Screening is Now Critical

• Cancer is increasingly affecting individuals in their 30s and early 40s, challenging the traditional belief that risk rises significantly only after age 50.
• Dr. Bilal Thangal T M, Medical Lead at NURA – AI Health Screening Centre, highlights that cancers like breast, colorectal, and cervical are no longer rare in younger adults.
• Younger patients often present with advanced disease due to delayed diagnosis, as symptoms are frequently dismissed or attributed to stress, leading to lost time.
• Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, irregular sleep, chronic stress, obesity, and environmental exposure contribute to this shift.
• Early detection is crucial for better treatment outcomes, faster recovery, preserved quality of life, and reduced financial burden on families and healthcare systems.

Why It Matters: Cancer is affecting younger populations more, making early, risk-based screening essential for better outcomes.