As young adults, cancer may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about major health concerns.
Sure, you may be aware that some of your activities now may increase your chances of getting cancer down the road, but there are a few types of cancers that commonly begin in your 20s and 30s.
Routine screenings help catch certain types of cancers in the early stages making them more treatable.
Cervical Cancer: If you are a female between the ages of 21-65, you should be getting routine pap smears every 3-5 years to check for cervical cancer. A pap smear is a quick and easy swab of your cervix, usually done at a physical.
Testicular Cancer: Males between the ages 15 and 45 should perform testicular self-exams monthly to help identify early signs of cancer in the scrotum. It only takes a few minutes and is fairly simple.
- Stand in front of a mirror after a shower and gently roll each testicle between your thumb and index finger.
- Feel and look for any lumps or bumps.
- Note any changes in firmness or size.
- Testicles are NOT symmetrical, it is normal for one to be larger than the other.
- If a lump is felt or you notice any other changes, reach out to your provider.
Skin Cancer: Melanoma is the type of skin cancer that young adults are most likely to get and is the deadliest. It is caused by the UV rays from the sun. So, sun safety is a must!
Prevention:
- Do not tan indoors! Tanning beds increase the chance of developing melanoma by 6 times. It's just not worth it.
- Wear SPF protection daily, no matter the weather, time of year, or color of your skin.
- Limit time in direct sunlight, and when outdoors wear sunglasses and sun shirts (Not the most glamorous, but a lot easier and more effective than reapplying sunscreen).
- Talk to your primary provider or dermatologist about how often you should get a skin exam. Frequency will depend on factors such as family history, how much time spent outdoors, and complexion.
Skin Self-exam: Pay attention to changes in moles or new spots on your skin. Use your ABCs to help identify suspicious moles.
A: Asymmetrical, a mole should look the same on both sides if split down the middle.
B: Border, the border of a mole should be smooth and defined.
C: Color, a mole should be one single color.
D: Diameter, a mole should be smaller than a pencil eraser (6mm).
E: Evolving, be wary of moles changing colors, shapes, or growing.
Colon Cancer: A healthy young adult does not need routine colon cancer screening until about the age of 40. If colon cancer runs in your family or you have other risk factors, your provider may recommend you get screened sooner.
Anal Cancer: Those who engage in anal sex, are HIV positive, have HPV, or are immunocompromised may be at risk for anal cancer. Symptoms of anal cancer, such as rectal bleeding and pain can often be dismissed as hemorrhoids. Keep your provider in the loop so correct testing can be administered based on your risk factors.
Schedule an appointment with your provider at NH+C to discuss risk factors and remember that cancer doesn't discriminate against age.