The introduction outlines the alarming trend of rising cancer rates among young adults and shares personal stories.

• Mia de Graaf, a health editor, introduces the topic of increased cancer rates in young adults.
• A young adult shares their unexpected cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, highlighting the shock and disbelief experienced.
• The risk of cancer diagnosis between ages 15 to 39 has increased by 40% since 1975.

The chapter discusses lifestyle and dietary factors contributing to the rise in cancer rates among young people.

• Western lifestyles, characterized by high consumption of ultra-processed food, inactivity, and poor sleep, are linked to the cancer trend.
• 14 types of cancers, especially those affecting the digestive system, are on the rise among individuals under 50.
• Despite leading healthy lifestyles, young adults are still receiving cancer diagnoses, challenging the notion of cancer as a disease of older age.

This chapter shares personal accounts of young adults diagnosed with cancer, illustrating the impact of such diagnoses on their lives.

• Young adults recount their experiences with cancer, including the challenges of balancing treatment with life responsibilities.
• The emotional shock of a cancer diagnosis at a young age is emphasized, especially when it contradicts common perceptions of health and lifestyle.

This chapter focuses on the specific rise of colorectal cancer among young people, including the stigma and severity of the disease.

• Colorectal cancer is increasing rapidly among young adults, with people born in 1990 at a quadruple risk compared to those born in 1950.
• The disease is often more advanced and aggressive in young individuals, with late-stage diagnoses being common.
• The chapter highlights the need to overcome societal stigma associated with colorectal cancer to increase awareness and early detection.

Researchers are exploring various factors contributing to increased cancer rates among young people, beyond improved screening.

• Increased cancer screening helps detect more cases but does not fully explain the rise in young adult cancer rates.
• Dietary changes in the last few decades, characterized by more red meat, sugar, and alcohol intake, are linked to increased cancer risk.
• Sedentary lifestyles, poor sleep, and environmental factors like pollution and microplastics are also considered potential contributors.

The chapter discusses new and emerging trends in cancer research and the need for societal changes to address increasing cancer rates.

• Researchers are investigating unconventional factors like increased human height and childbirth methods for their potential links to cancer.
• The need for infrastructure changes to promote healthier lifestyles is emphasized, along with the importance of continued research.

The final chapter highlights the progress in cancer treatment and prevention, as well as the cancer community's commitment to address rising trends.

• Despite rising incidence rates, cancer mortality has decreased due to treatment advancements and preventive measures like vaccines.
• The cancer community is actively investing in research to understand and reverse the trend of increasing cancer rates in young adults.