Study Finds Young Adult Cancer Survivors Face Double Risk of Subsequent Cancers

A new study indicates that survivors of cancer diagnosed during adolescence and young adulthood have an elevated risk of developing subsequent cancers. The research, conducted by Canadian researchers, examined patients first diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 39. It focused on new primary cancers, excluding recurrences of the original disease.

The study, published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, drew from the Alberta Cancer Registry. It included 24,459 survivors diagnosed between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 2017. Among these, 1,442 developed another cancer, compared to 643 expected in a similar-sized general population cohort.

Causes of Increased Risk One primary factor contributing to subsequent cancers is the treatment for the initial cancer, according to the study's senior author, Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Calgary and Cancer Care Alberta.

Radiation therapy, while necessary for treating the original cancer, can increase the risk of new cancers in irradiated areas. Chemotherapy and certain hormone therapies have also been linked to later cancers in research. Fidler-Benaoudia noted that genetics may play an additional role in this elevated risk.

As cancer treatments advance, future therapies are expected to carry lower carcinogenic potential. The study highlights the balance between achieving a cure and maintaining long-term quality of life for survivors. The most common subsequent cancers identified were breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.

3 percent annually.

Recommendations for Screening and Support Researchers suggest that provincial governments consider earlier cancer screening for survivors to detect subsequent cancers promptly.

Dr. Abha Gupta, medical director of the adolescent and young adult oncology program at University Health Network's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, emphasized the importance of such programs. She was not involved in the study.

Gupta referenced Ontario's high-risk breast cancer screening program for patients who received chest radiation before age 30. This targets individuals at higher risk for radiation-associated breast cancer, such as those treated for lymphoma or other cancers. >"We know that females who undergo radiation to their chest...

" — Dr. Abha Gupta (Canadian Medical Association Journal study context) Gupta stated that radiation techniques have improved since the 1980s and 1990s, potentially reducing risks for more recent patients. However, individual risk varies based on the specifics of prior treatment exposure.

Broader Needs for Young Survivors Survivors in the 15-to-39 age group require tailored programs addressing their life stage, Gupta said.

These include support for sexual health, fertility, coping strategies, and social isolation, as peers often lack similar experiences. Psychological support from professionals like psychologists, social workers, and counselors is essential, particularly given fears of recurrence or new cancers. Peer connections through in-person events or online forums can also help survivors share experiences.

These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive care beyond medical treatment. The study's findings underscore the long-term health implications for young cancer survivors and the need for ongoing monitoring and resources.

As treatments evolve, the focus remains on minimizing secondary risks while supporting survivors' overall well-being.