You're Never Too Young

She sits in the dreadful silence of a doctor’s office, hands clenched tight, her heart racing. The minutes feel like hours. Her mind races through a thousand questions—what if? What now? What’s next? The truth is, she is not alone; She’s just one of many women in the waiting room, one of thousands of women across the world waiting to hear those life-changing words. "You have cancer." 

For years, we’ve heard cancer was more likely to strike men, but that gap is closing—and as of 2025, women are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately "one in three" women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, meaning that cancer affects roughly a third of women globally. These trends now show a growing public health crisis. The rise of cancers such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer among women has pushed the number of female diagnoses higher than ever before, challenging assumptions and showing that the fight is far from over.

A common myth of cancer is when younger girls view the disease as something far away, something not to think about until you’re older, something that only happens to aging adults. A study reports that women younger than 50 have an 82% higher chance of developing cancer than their male counterparts. The truth is, cancer doesn’t sit and wait. It doesn’t care about age, plans, or dreams. And the more we ignore it, the more power it has. And as these numbers grow, the questions get harder to ignore. 

Another myth is that cancer only affects those with a family history. While it’s true that genetics can play a role in one's risk, cancer can occur AT any given time, and many do not realize they have the disease until later. In fact, about 70-90% of cancer cases occur in people without a family history of the disease. Environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even random mutations can increase the risk. Women, in particular, are facing a surge in diagnoses, and many are shocked to find that they have no genetic connection to cancer at all. This myth creates a disilllusioned sense of security, teaching many to believe that they’re immune if cancer doesn’t run in their family. Everyone is at risk.

For National Cancer Prevention Month, the most important thing you can do as a young girl is educating yourselves on cancer prevention and creating healthy habits to reduce the risk facors. Unfortunately, cancer is only getting more common in younger generations, and while I cannot say that you are completely unsusceptible to cancer, there are so many ways you can reduce your chances of facing a diagnosis that changes your life.

First off, eliminating usages of alcohol and tobacco can has of the largest differences in reducing cancer risk. These substances are known carcinogens, and their long-term use significantly increases the chances of developing various types of cancer. The earlier you quit, the more years you save, and it is never too late to start. Also, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by having nutritious eating habits and regularly exercising is a fundamental practice that can put you in the right path of not only lessening risks, but also reducing worry and increasing life expectancy. It’s hard to pick up these practices, but words cannot express the necessity of these habits. Bring a friend to work out with you, or tell your family to make a meal plan with healthier foods; every small change you make today can mean more time, more health, and more life tomorrow.

The reality is that millions of women have had to hear those three devastating words, but the good news is that by staying informed and making healthy choices, you can greatly lower your chances of facing that same fate.