'Duration matters more than severity!' Doctor sounds alarm over six cancer signs now striking younger adults

But cancers, namely those affecting the bowel, breast, thyroid and brain tumours, are becoming more common in younger adults.

Radiation oncologist and medical director at the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague, Dr Jiri Kubes, described the shift as one of the most worrying developments in medical circles.

“We are seeing far more younger patients than we would have expected a decade ago,” he said. “The issue is that cancers are appearing earlier; it’s that symptoms are often subtle, and many people don’t think cancer could affect them at this age."

The changes that signal cancer are easy to dismiss as lifestyle or dietary changes, but what matters is how long they last.

According to Dr Kubes, the following symptoms should be closely monitored:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
• Lumps or swelling that don’t go away
• Frequent headaches or neurological changes
• Unusual bleeding or pain that persists

“Persistent changes are what matter,” he explained. “Ongoing digestive issues, unexplained weight loss, unusual lumps, changes in bowel habits or fatigue that doesn’t improve should never be ignored - even in your 20s or 30s.

“Many early cancers are painless. Waiting for pain before acting is one of the biggest mistakes made.”

While the need for raised awareness couldn’t be more pressing, Dr Kubes insists there is no need to panic.

“The goal is awareness,” he insisted. “Cancer risk is no longer confined to older generations, and people need to recognise that.

“When cancers are detected early, treatment is usually simpler, more effective and far less disruptive to quality of life.

“That’s especially important for younger patients who have decades of life ahead of them.”

Fortunately, technological advances have enabled better detection and treatment of the disease.

“Modern screening and precision treatments allow us to focus therapy more accurately, protecting healthy tissue while treating the tumour.”

“Duration matters more than severity,” Dr Kubes notes. “If something lasts weeks rather than days, it deserves attention.