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Cancer / Disease and Control Prevention
Why knowing your family history of cancer could save your life
June 18, 2026
Estimated Reading Time: 3m
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A sad turn in statistics shows that now children, and not parents, may be the first to be diagnosed with cancer.
Decades ago, cancer was a topic that usually came up in medical conversations later in life, but today more diagnoses are being made as people enter adulthood.
And it is a trend that knows no borders. Cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 is increasing rapidly throughout Latin America and already accounts for approximately 17% of new cases.
Statistics show that colorectal cancer is the most lethal cancer in the younger age group. In the United States, this type of cancer is already the leading cause of death among people aged 18 to 49.
Another cancer that appears in early diagnoses is breast cancer. However, researchers point out that this upward trend is also evident in a dozen other types of cancer.
This trend is characterized primarily by late‑stage diagnoses, when the cancer has already advanced, and by aggressive tumors, disproportionately affecting younger populations.
Scientists say they still do not know what is driving this increase in cases. However, they point to what is now known as the “exposome”, a range of factors that may persist throughout life and, taken together, include:
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Environmental factors such as the presence of carcinogens and microplastics
- The growing consumption of ultra‑processed foods
- Changes in intestinal health linked to all of the above
- Genetics (the only non‑modifiable risk factor)
Part of the problem with this increase in cancer among young people is that they don't even realize it's developing. In their 20s and 30s, young adults are more concerned with building a career, seeing the world, and starting a family than with going to the doctor because they suspect they may have a disease that isn't even in their vocabulary yet.
However, unfortunately, incorporating it today can mean the difference between life and death.
Therefore, we must:
Be alert to the symptoms. For example, if you see even a small trickle of blood in your stool, go to the doctor immediately. It could be a hemorrhoid, but it could also be a sign of colorectal cancer. NEVER underestimate it.
Any other sign that your health may be compromised—unexpected weight loss, new pain, or even a barely noticeable lump in your breast—should prompt you to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Although it may vary depending on the country, in general both mammography for detecting breast cancer and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, are recommended starting at 40 and 45, respectively, for people with average risk.
Know your family history of cancer. It may seem obvious, but many of us don't know what our grandparents or great‑grandparents died from, or what illnesses other close relatives had. It is essential to know if a type of cancer occurs frequently in your family: this is the first sign that you need to be alert. The doctor needs to know this information to determine the course of action.
Have a doctor you trust. Establishing a relationship with a trusted health professional can help you assess your personal risk and interpret new information as research and public health recommendations evolve. If necessary, the doctor will order tests such as colonoscopies or mammograms before the recommended age for starting them.
Lead a healthy life. Beyond the potential risk, it is always important to eat healthy and exercise. Not smoking and controlling alcohol consumption are also key to warding off the specter of cancer.
Sources consulted