In a recent RedEye article, the crude reality of cancer amongst young adults was analyzed. More and more people between the ages of 15 to 29 are being diagnosed with cancer.
The types of cancers vary: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and different kinds of tumors. The research needed to help these patients is scarce, and the problem is in danger of becoming worse.
About 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year, as stated in the RedEye article published Oct. 30. It also stated that between 1975 and 2000, the five-year survival rate for adults over 45 has increased from 47 to 66 percent, and for children under 15 rates have gone up from 56 to 84 percent.
Surprisingly, more young adults (ages 15 to 29) develop cancer than children under 15. Despite this fact, the five-year survival rate amongst young adults has remained the same for 25 years at 77 percent.
However, things are looking up. Dr. Archie Bleyer, who founded the Livestrong Young Adult Alliance, was quoted in the RedEye, saying, “Five year survival rates appear toward 80 percent for young adults diagnosed in 2005.”
By becoming more aware, things are able to improve and progress. The only problem is getting young adults to do so. This has been made more difficult by the health insurance situation, or lack thereof. It is because of insurance issues that young adults elongate the process of getting medical help, which can become fatal in the future.
Another reason for a deficiency in resources is because many are too stubborn and reluctant to provided labs with the necessary specimens to attain useful information. NEIU students know how disconcerting it is to deal with health insurance agencies, but it must be done.
Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t spare college students, or an individual planning a wedding, or a medical student finishing up her residency.
Lindsay Beck, executive director of Fertile Hope, a nonprofit organization, explained in the RedEye the possibility of men ceasing to produce sperm and the rapid aging progression of a woman’s reproductive system that is caused by chemotherapy. The reproductive system will age 10 to 15 years, allowing the possibility of early menopause to become relevant.