Boost Your Health IQ

person in white coat holding stethoscope surrounded by small icons with health symbols such as a first aid kit, hospital, heartbeat, family, shield with cross Welcome to Boost Your Health IQ, a campus-wide educational campaign about health and wellness. Launched in 2024, this campaign aims to focus on a variety of health-related subjects relevant to college-aged people, helping students to understand the landscape, assess their personal risks, and make positive choices for their overall health and well-being.

For the 2024-25 academic year, we are working to educate students about cancer risk and the increasing prevalence of cancer diagnoses among younger people. The following resources were gathered to help students understand the current landscape and how to stay healthy.

Cancer Resources for Young People

Most young people first hear about cancer as a disease related to older family and friends, but it is not at all unheard of for people in their 20s and 30s to be diagnosed with cancer. Certain types of cancer, such as testicular or thyroid cancer, are more commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 20s.

In addition, recent studies have shown an alarming spike in the diagnosis of additional cancer types, such as breast and colon cancer, among younger age groups, and doctors are not sure why. For example, a recent study conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society suggests that Generation X and Millennials in the United States have a higher risk than older generations of developing 17 types of cancers. Mortality trends among these groups are also on the rise.

Dr. Hyuna Sung, the lead author of the study, said “Birth cohorts, groups of people classified by their birth year, share unique social, economic, political, and climate environments, which affect their exposure to cancer risk factors during their crucial developmental years. Although we have identified cancer trends associated with birth years, we don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising.”

This information can be frightening, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself against the disease or to detect it earlier for a greater chance of positive outcome.

Prevention and Detection

Know your family history. Young adults don’t always meet the age requirement for recommended routine screenings such as mammograms or colonoscopies, but talking to your doctor about a family history of cancer could prompt your physician to refer you for an early screening. They can also talk to you about genetic testing, which can reveal whether a patient is genetically predisposed to developing a certain kind of disease. If someone in your family has had cancer, particularly if it was breast or colon cancer, be sure to talk to your doctor about that.
Don’t skip important medical appointments or self-exams. Both men and women should have a full physical at least once a year. Beginning at age 21, women should see a gynecologist annually for a Pap smear, which helps find abnormal cells in the cervix. At these annual appointments, the doctor will also do a breast exam. In addition, women are encouraged to do a breast self-exam at the same time each month, men are encouraged to do testicular self-exams, and everyone should keep an eye on their skin. Learn more about self-exams and how to do them below under "Additional Resources."
Get an HPV vaccine. Both boys and girls should be vaccinated for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can help prevent cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is recommended for boys and girls starting at ages 11 or 12, but it can be given as early as age 9 and up to age 45. Even if your parents chose not to have you vaccinated as a juvenile, as an adult, you are legally allowed to make your own decision about this important vaccine.
Don’t smoke. Tobacco is blamed for 30% of all cancer-related deaths, and it increases your risk of developing other serious diseases, too. If you currently smoke, you know that it can be tough to quit. But you shouldn’t feel ashamed, and you definitely don’t have to do it alone! Talk to your family physician or staff in Student Health & Counseling about smoking cessation tools that can help you kick the habit for good.
Limit your alcohol intake. Lots of adults enjoy a happy hour cocktail or a glass of wine with dinner, but drinking too much has been linked to certain cancers and other diseases. Men should limit alcohol consumption to two drinks per day and women should limit theirs to just one drink per day. The habits you form now, in college, can stick with you for life, so start striving now to have a healthy relationship with alcohol. Better yet, explore the sober-curious movement to learn how fulfilling it can be to eliminate alcohol from your diet. If you’re worried that you consume too much alcohol – or if you know that you do but are having trouble reducing or eliminating alcohol – please don’t hesitate to talk to your physician or staff in Student Health & Counseling about support systems to help you. Click here for additional substance use/abuse resources.
Protect yourself from sun damage. Melanoma is a serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancer, and it is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in young people. Risk factors for skin cancer include sun damage, moles, light skin/hair/eye color, or having a family history of melanoma. Other forms of skin cancer are commonly diagnosed in people of older ages, so protecting your skin NOW can help prevent skin cancer later in your life (Bonus: It can help prevent wrinkles later, too). To protect yourself, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and reapply frequently throughout the day. Wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts and pants can also help. Look for brands that make lightweight, cool clothing with an SPF factor. Sit in the shade when you can, and wear wraparound sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
Pay attention to exercise and nutrition. Obesity has been linked to increased risks for cancer, but it also plays a role in heart disease and other serious health problems.
Consider genetic testing. Genetic testing for inherited cancers looks for specific inherited changes (variants) in a person’s genes. Harmful variants in some genes are known to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, in about 5% to 10% of all cancers. Talk to your doctor about genetic testing.
Pay attention to your body and advocate for yourself. Young people are often reluctant to go to the doctor because they are busy, they’re afraid they can’t afford care, or they assume they can’t get seriously ill because they are young. But if you’re experiencing a new symptom, such as blood in your stool, don’t brush it off and assume it’s nothing serious. Go see your doctor. Chances are good that you will leave with more peace of mind, but it is important to get checked out. Likewise, don’t let your doctor brush off a concern because you are a young person. Stand up for yourself and advocate for your care!