Podcast Summary: "Why Are So Many Young People Being Diagnosed with Cancer?"
Podcast Information:
- Title: All Of It
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Author: WNYC
- Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work.
Introduction
In the April 24, 2025 episode of WNYC's All Of It, host Alison Stewart dives into a pressing health concern: the alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among young people. Joining her are journalist Jamie Ducharme, author of the Time magazine article "The Race to Explain Why More Young Adults Are Getting Cancer," and Dr. Tricia Pasricha, writer of the "Ask a Doctor" column for The Washington Post. The episode melds expert insights with personal stories from listeners, painting a comprehensive picture of this unsettling trend.
Rising Cancer Rates Among Young People
The episode opens with unsettling statistics highlighting a significant uptick in cancer diagnoses among individuals under 50. Jamie Ducharme references a study from BMJ Oncology, noting a 79% increase in cancer diagnoses for this age group from 1990 to 2019. The most affected cancers include breast, colorectal, and stomach cancer. However, the underlying causes of this rise remain elusive, prompting urgent discussions among experts and the community.
Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
A focal point of the discussion is the surge in early onset colorectal cancer. Dr. Pasricha explains that while the United States typically recommends colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45, there's a growing number of cases in individuals younger than 50. Alison Stewart emphasizes the importance of family history in these cases, stating:
“About a quarter of cases of people who are diagnosed with early onset colorectal cancer actually could have been caught earlier if they had gotten screened according to guidelines because they have some kind of family history that actually would have warranted screening before that age 45.” (04:14)
Personal Stories and Experiences
All Of It amplifies the conversation by inviting listeners to share their personal battles with cancer, offering a platform for voices that illustrate the human side of these statistics.
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Amanda from New Fairfield, Connecticut (04:14):
- Story: Diagnosed at 33 with stage 2B breast cancer, Amanda discovered the cancer herself, inspired by a friend's similar diagnosis.
- Quote:
“I took action, really because of a friend of mine from high school who was 30 and got diagnosed... I’m really happy that I did because I’m not sure it was pretty advanced when they caught it.” (05:05)
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Peter from Queens (07:17):
- Story: Diagnosed at 41 with prostate cancer, Peter highlights the initial misdiagnosis and the emotional toll of ongoing treatment.
- Quote:
“They said prostate cancer. Just go get the treatment. You’ll be cured. And I’m not cured. It’s come back and people die of it.” (07:36)
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Marie from Kingston, New York (11:05):
- Story: A 15-year breast cancer survivor diagnosed at 33, Marie discusses the challenges of delayed diagnosis and the mental health impacts.
- Quote:
“I had to advocate a lot for myself… the mental health aspect and how it wears down on people to go through the treatment is not often taken into consideration.” (11:05)
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Jonathan from Queens (19:38):
- Story: At 40, Jonathan was diagnosed with lymphoma after experiencing stomach pains. He reflects on the emotional burden of being a single parent with cancer.
- Quote:
“I have to act like a strong person. And even though I’m now going to the doctor, it gives me like a phobia type of thing.” (20:26)
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Seth from Merrick, New York (21:06):
- Story: Diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 47, Seth shares his initiative to raise awareness through a campaign called "Toilet Talk."
- Quote:
“I’m encouraging people to film themselves going to their bathroom... know that colorectal cancer is on the rise.” (22:00)
Possible Causes and Ongoing Research
The conversation shifts to exploring potential reasons behind the rise in young-onset cancers, with a particular focus on environmental factors.
Environmental Exposures and Plastics:
- Caller Steven (08:16): Questions the correlation between increased plastic exposure and cancer rates.
- Dr. Pasricha (08:40):
“Plastics and microplastics are among the leading hypotheses... the timing makes sense.” (09:33)
Dr. Shuji Ogino’s Research (17:21):
- Synopsis: Dr. Ogino employs a unique approach combining epidemiology and tumor pathology to identify lifestyle, habits, or genetic conditions that may explain the cellular makeup of tumors, aiming to trace back to potential exposures causing the rise in colorectal cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
The episode delves into the complexities of diagnosing and treating cancer in younger populations.
Delayed Diagnosis:
- Many young patients experience delays in diagnosis due to the atypical age of onset.
- Dr. Pasricha: Emphasizes the need for proactive self-advocacy in medical settings.
Aggressiveness of Cancers:
- Alison Stewart:
“With younger people, often the cancers are inherently biologically different... they tend to be a little bit more aggressive.” (06:10)
Mental Health Impacts:
- Marie’s Story: Highlights the psychological toll and the often-overlooked mental health support needed during and after treatment.
- Dr. Pasricha:
“Can leave you with lifelong side effects... early menopause.” (13:40)
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
AI in Research and Clinical Practice:
- Dr. Pasricha:
“AI can sort through far more data than any human ever could... find patterns that may not jump out to human researchers.” (23:53)
- Alison Stewart:
“AI is making a big difference... identify polyps and precancerous growths during colonoscopies.” (24:29)
Fertility and Quality of Life Considerations
Preserving Fertility:
- Alison Stewart:
“It’s important to have an individualized conversation with your provider... options like saving or preserving your eggs prior to undergoing treatment.” (25:41)
Advice and Recommendations
Experts and listeners alike emphasize the importance of awareness, self-advocacy, and proactive health measures.
Self-Advocacy and Awareness:
- Dr. Pasricha: Encourages individuals to listen to their bodies and advocate strongly in medical settings.
- Alison Stewart:
“Know that cancer is possible even if you’re young... listen to your body if something feels off.” (26:32)
Understanding Family History:
- Alison Stewart:
“Ask about cancer and ask especially important is what age they were diagnosed... screening guidelines.” (15:48)
Concluding Thoughts and Hope
The episode concludes on a hopeful note, acknowledging the relentless efforts of researchers and the medical community to uncover the causes behind this troubling trend and to develop better diagnostic and treatment methods.
Dr. Pasricha:
“There’s a lot of reason for hope as well as fear. So many smart researchers are looking into this... it's a problem that a lot of people are trying to solve.” (28:37)
Final Message from Alison Stewart:
“Know that a lot of researchers and doctors are invested in this problem and are working very hard right now to try to help understand... advocate for yourself.” (27:54)
Listener Engagement: Throughout the episode, Alison Stewart invites listeners to share their own experiences with cancer, fostering a community of support and awareness.
Contact Information: Listeners can call in or text at 212-433-969-2212 to share their stories or join the conversation on air.
Closing Remarks: The episode of All Of It effectively combines expert analysis with heartfelt personal narratives to shed light on the concerning rise of cancer among young individuals. By highlighting both the challenges and the strides being made in research and treatment, it underscores the importance of awareness, advocacy, and community support in combating this health crisis.