Youth cancer is rising. We need to take it seriously

Youth cancer is often underestimated, misunderstood, and diagnosed too late.

As CEO of Canteen, I see firsthand the impact cancer has on young people aged 15 to 25, and how often their experiences fall between the cracks of our health system. Youth cancer is not rare, and it is not the same as cancer in childhood or later adulthood. It is a distinct issue that requires age-appropriate care and support.

Cancer in young Australians has increased by around 50% since the 1980s. Australia now has the highest rate of young-onset bowel cancer in the world, and survival rates for some youth cancers, such as sarcoma, have not improved in decades. These trends are deeply concerning.

One of the biggest challenges in youth cancer is delayed diagnosis. Symptoms are frequently dismissed or normalised, particularly in teenagers and young adults. Tiredness, pain, headaches or lumps are often explained away as stress, growth or lifestyle factors. By the time cancer is identified, treatment can be more complex and outcomes more uncertain.

Young people with cancer are also poorly served by traditional models of care. They are often too old for paediatric services, yet not well supported by adult systems designed around a very different patient group. This is why specialist treatment and support provided by the Youth Cancer Services are so important.

The impact of youth cancer does not end when treatment does. Many young people experience long-term mental health challenges, disrupted education or employment, and a sense of being left behind while their peers move on. These impacts are often invisible, but they are real.

This Youth Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that awareness must keep pace with reality. Youth cancer is rising, and young Australians deserve care, understanding and support that reflects their stage of life.

At Canteen, we will continue to advocate for early recognition, age-appropriate care and sustained investment in youth cancer services, so no young person is overlooked simply because of their age.