Cancers in young women: list, age, figures, prognosis

Almost all types of cancer can appear at any age. They are very often linked to tissue aging and to life habits (smoking, alcohol consumption, UV exposure, etc.). However, certain types of cancer are diagnosed in young women (under 35-40 years old), as melanoma, breast cancer or the thyroid. How many cancers are diagnosed each year in young women? How can we explain their occurrence? Are the treatments the same? What are chances of survival in this age group? Answers from Professor Eric Solary, physician-researcher, hematologist and president of the scientific council of the ARC Foundation.

What are the most common cancers in young women?

There are cancers that are a little more common in young women. For example :

• THE melanoma (skin cancer). “We don’t talk about it much because people are becoming more and more aware of melanoma. In addition, they are generally removed fairly quickly at a localized stage and can be treated very well thanks to excision. (surgical act consisting of completely remove a cancerous or suspected tumor). There is not necessarily a peak incidence before the age of 30, but it is one of the cancers that can be diagnosed in a young person.“, indicates our interlocutor. This is the most common cancer in adults between 25 and 50 years old.
• THE thyroid cancer (cancer most frequently diagnosed in people aged 15 to 29 years old according to the National Cancer Institute)
• THE breast cancer (it occurs before age 35 in 3% of cases and before age 40 in 10% of cases)
• THE Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) “with a first frequency peak between 20 and 30 years old“, specifies our expert.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• A little less commonly, cervical cancer.

What is the incidence of cancer among young women in France?

“It is estimated that there are approximately 1% of all cancers who are diagnosed before the age of 35. This is a figure to be taken with caution, however, because it is relatively difficult to find the precise incidence. On the other hand, there seems to be an increase in the incidence of cancer before the age of 35. Several studies have in fact shown an increase in cancers before age 35 of the order of 5 to 10% over the last twenty years“, explains Professor Solary.

Looking at the figures, the incidence of cancer seems to be increasing among younger people. “However, almost all cancers are linked to aging of tissues. So, even if we struggle to explain the occurrence of cancers in young women, we think that there are contributing factors. Of course, some cancers in young people have a genetic origin. There genetic predisposition therefore undoubtedly plays a role in the occurrence of cancers in young women. For example, we find a family history in approximatelyhalf of the cases of breast cancer in young womenwhile it is found in approximately 30% of cases after the age of 35explains our interlocutor. Genetics, however, does not explain everything. There are obviously other risk factors. These factors can be hormonal : we can clearly see that there are more cancers in young women when puberty occurs very early (before age 11) and in women who have their first child late (first pregnancy after age 30-35) or who do not have children. And then, there are other probable risk factors but which are difficult to highlight. We regularly incriminate sedentary lifestyle, obesity, unsuitable dietexposure to endocrine disruptors, but to date, nothing has been scientifically proven. We will identify them better and better with time.”

Are the treatments the same for a young woman?

Detecting very early is the best way to progress in treatment. “There is work currently underway in several European countries, including In Franceconducted on 85,000 women volunteers with the aim of personalizing screening according to one’s cancer risk. The objective of this research is to define individual risk of developing cancer (family risk, risk factors, etc.) based, in particular, on a quiz on family and personal history, as well as a saliva test with genetic analyses. Based on this risk, it would be possible to adapt screening“, explains the specialist. In short, instead of carrying out systematic screening, as is proposed in France in a very specific age group (mammography, colonoscopy, etc.), we will be able to adapt screening based on risk indicators and allow women at increased risk, regardless of their age, to be screened earlier. Once a cancer diagnosis is made, treatments are generally the same for young or older people. The tools are the same regardless of age, namely the surgerythere chemotherapy, radiotherapy or even immunotherapy. “We can even say that the fact that the person is young represents no obstacle to using the therapeutic options available today because they have on average fewer comorbidities or associated pathologies. On the other hand, what we see is that young women are more likely to present forms a little more aggressive. For example, triple negative breast cancers are a little more common in young women (25% of breast cancers in those under 40, compared to around 15% in other age groups) and therefore more difficult to treat, so this requires adapting the treatment “, indicates our interlocutor.

What is the survival prognosis for cancers in young women?

“The overall cure rate is at the same level in young women than in elderly women (without history and without associated pathologies). It is therefore a preconceived idea to think that there are more deaths among elderly women (without comorbidities) than among young women. Advanced age does not decrease the chances of recoveryrestores Professor Solary. This is also explained by the fact that cancers that affect young women are diseases with high cure rates. This being said, these women, even cured, may have after-effects as well as the risk of developing a second cancer.“. As an indication according to data from the National Cancer Institute:

• The 5-year survival rate for cutaneous melanoma in women is approximately 92% all ages combined.
• The 5-year survival rate for thyroid cancer in women is approximately 98% all ages combined.
• The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer in women is approximately 85% all ages combined.
• The 5-year survival rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in women is approximately 86% all ages (more than 90% among women under 20).
• The 5-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women is approximately 68%.

Thanks to Professor Eric Solary, doctor-researcher-hematologist and president of the scientific council of the ARC Foundation for cancer research.