DOHA: Nearly 32 percent inpatients at National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) in the first half of 2013 were between 15 and 44 years, according to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
In a statement marking Sarcoma Week, HMC said it aimed to raise awareness about cancer in young adults, who were more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those under 15.
“Cancer in young adults has unique concerns and challenges. Young adults are facing more challenges due to emotional, physical and social concerns, including relationships, sexuality, parenthood, education and employment.
“However, overall survival rates of young adults are better than those of older adults, reflecting the differences in tumour types and better tolerance of treatment in younger patients,” said Noronha Maria Daisy, Charge Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Cancer Awareness Coordinator at NCCCR.
Common factors that increase the risk of cancer in young adults are history of childhood cancer and exposure to certain infections, family history, genetic conditions, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, certain hormones, smoking, and other lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and being overweight or obese.
The most common cancers in young adults are leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, thyroid, colorectal, ovarian and testicular cancer, according to Emelita Jose Ison, Quality Management Reviewer at NCCCR’s Nursing Department. “Sarcoma is a rare cancer that affects about two in 100,000 young adults globally,” she said. While it is rare, it is very serious, especially if diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Among sarcoma patients being treated at HMC, the most common cases are soft tissue sarcoma — 18 cases — and 12 of these cases involve patients between 18 and 34 years, said Dr Mufid El Mistiri, Consultant, Medical Oncology and Director of the Cancer Registry at NCCCR. Soft tissue sarcoma can develop in muscles, nerves, tendons joints, blood vessels and lymph nodes, and cause pain and swelling or a lump in an arm or leg, the trunk (torso) or abdomen, the head or the neck.
It is important to talk to your doctor about any lumps even if they are painless, as sarcoma rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. Other types include osteosarcoma, the most common cancer of the bone, and Ewing sarcoma, a cancer of the bone but can be found in soft tissue outside it.
Factors that can influence developing sarcomas are certain genetic or inherited diseases such as neurofibromatosis, Gardner syndrome, and retinoblastoma. Exposure at workplace to chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer (used for making plastics) can increase the risk of sarcoma.
Knowing your risk factors for cancer and talking to your doctor can help you make more informed lifestyle and healthcare choices although some risk factors are unavoidable, such as family history.
“Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent cancer, but it is important that people should not ignore any health issues and should consult physicians. Early detection can help ensure the most effective and appropriate plan of treatment, improve the prognosis and ensure quality of life for young adults with cancer,” said Daisy.
The Peninsula
