Oncology symposium held in Chapel Hill as cancer cases in young people increase
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some of the nation's leading medical experts and oncologists convened onto the campus of UNC Chapel Hill for the 7th annual Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Symposium as cancer rates among young people are on the rise. The increase in incident rates are alarming and the diagnosis could happen at any age.
"It was incredibly difficult to find a doctor that would take me seriously," said Kristine Breski.
At just 34 years old, Kristine Breski is a two-time cancer survivor. The first diagnosis of non-hodgkin lymphoma came at 26 years old. The second diagnosis of synovial sarcoma came at 30 years old.
"Being a young adult with cancer describing your issues, the typical phrase I'd get is you're so young and healthy. The likelihood of that happening is low," she said.
Breski is a speaker at the AYA Oncology Symposium helping raise awareness in a room full of oncologists, psychologists, social workers and other leading medical professionals across the nation.
"We as providers, clinicians and health care centers need to be thinking about the different populations we serve. All of them. We need to make sure that every single person regardless of their background has access to world class cancer care, can survive cancer and survive it well," said Dr. Karen Winkfield with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 80,000 young adults aged 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. Young women are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than young men, but young men and women are equally likely to die of cancer. About 9,000 young adults die from cancer each year.
"We don't totally know why is the honest answer. Some of it may be lifestyle factors. Red meat, obesity and alcohol use," said UNC Chapel Hill Assistant Professor in the Division of Oncology Dr. Jacob Stein.
Cancer screenings, early diagnosis, treatment and how to support young survivors were topics of panels, breakout groups and discussions. Experts who attended the symposium learned that early onset breast cancer and colorectal cancer cases continue to increase.
"It's certainly worrisome. It's driving a lot of research in this area with programs dedicated to understanding why," said Dr. Andrew Smitherman.
Experts recommend relentless advocacy. They said if something is wrong, don't be afraid to seek out a second opinion if you aren't getting the answers you need from your primary care doctor.
"We might be young and might look healthy, but unfortunately, that's not always the case," said Breski.
