cancer Rates Climbing in Young Adults Strain Brazilian Public Health System
BRASÍLIA – A surge in cancer diagnoses among adults under 50 is overwhelming Brazil‘s public health system (SUS),with current screening protocols failing to keep pace with the shifting demographic,according to a report by G1.While cancer has historically been associated with older populations, experts are now observing a significant rise in early-onset cases, mirroring a global trend.
The increase poses a critical challenge to preventative care adn early detection efforts.Tracking protocols within the SUS remain focused on individuals over 50, despite mounting evidence indicating a rise in tumors – including breast and colorectal cancers – in younger demographics. This disconnect threatens to delay diagnoses and reduce treatment effectiveness for a growing segment of the population.
“Tracking protocols are still aimed at people over 50 years of age. But reality has changed.We already have evidence that tumors such as breast and colorectal tumors have been increasing well before this age,” warns Sumara Abdo, a nuclear doctor at the National Cancer Institute (INCA).
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – including a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, regular exercise, and limiting ultra-processed foods and alcohol – remains the most effective way to mitigate risk. However, experts emphasize the importance of seeking medical attention promptly when experiencing symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, persistent nodules, or extreme fatigue. Early diagnosis is paramount for accomplished cancer treatment.
The trend isn’t limited to Brazil. A 2022 study published in Nature Medicine revealed that up to 20% of new annual cancer diagnoses in the United states and the United Kingdom now occur in individuals under 50, highlighting a global public health concern.
