Wednesday 11 September 2024
Maggie’s has seen a 44% increase in people attending the young people's support groups in centres and online in the last 3 years.*
Numbers have steadily been growing, with an average quarterly increase of 28% more young people aged 16 to 24 accessing psychological and practical support at Maggie's.**
This stark increase in attendance at the young people's support groups highlights the psychological and emotional impact of cancer on younger generations.
The latest statistics from ‘BMJ Oncology’ show that almost 35,000 people aged between 25 and 49 were diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
Cancer rates in that age group grew by 24% between 1995 and 2019 - a bigger percentage change than in any other age group.***
As a result, the need for support to help young people cope with a diagnosis is also on the increase.
Often, the challenges that youngsters with a cancer diagnosis face differ from the challenges the older generations face.
For parents, this includes speaking to their children about their diagnosis.
For younger adults, it can be about how to return to studying or work, or coming to terms with not being able to have the same life experiences as their peers.
To highlight the challenges faced by younger people with cancer, we are sharing some of their real stories, as well as stories of their family and friends.
Mum-of-two Cat Sneath, 44, diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, found coping with a young family, work and cancer treatment a struggle.
She says: “The most challenging part was juggling life with a young family and managing the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis and treatment. I was diagnosed when my youngest daughter was just under one year old. I was gearing up to return to work. I remember being at my eldest’s daughter’s first Nativity wondering how many school plays I might get the chance to see.”
Aurora, diagnosed at 22, says: “I found it hardest not being able to do what everyone else my age was doing. I felt really alone in not being able to go out or to events or birthday parties because I was so unwell and unable to move. I felt I had aged 100 years.”
Ross, diagnosed with cancer at 31, says: “I would like to be planning my career, a family, what my house is going to look like, however that seems to all have been taken away from me.”
Kerry, diagnosed at 30 and then again at 39, says: “Now treatment was over, all I would hear is “you should be so grateful you're still here”. But I became more and more aware that it was getting harder, instead of better. If I say I was at rock bottom, that doesn’t even come close.”
Lucy, diagnosed at 21, says: “I couldn’t relate to anyone including friends, peers, and even family. I felt so misunderstood, and it felt exhausting trying to get people to understand.”
Chris diagnosed at 38, says: “I was diagnosed in March, had surgery in July, had a baby in August, tried and failed to go back to work, had to quit my job by November in the middle of a cost of living crisis and felt broken as a person. If it wasn't for the support of Maggie’s, then the last 8 months would have been very different and the outcomes would have not been as positive.”
Read all the stories of these young people under 50 diagnosed with cancer, or read the full interviews in our online booklet.
Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at Maggie's, says:
“Having cancer can be a lonely experience, and for many young people, knowing that someone else is going through something similar can be hugely helpful.
“We hope that sharing these stories will increase understanding of what it is like to have cancer at a younger age, and will encourage people who need support to get it.
“With the increase in the number of younger people living with cancer, there has been a rise in demand for psychological support, and often, younger people face different challenges to older people living with cancer.
“We want to highlight that support is there for young people too, and that there is a good chance that they will get back to lead fulfilling and productive lives after treatment.”
Whatever kind of cancer, whatever stage you're at, Maggie's is here with you.
We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever your age and situation.
There are support groups on offer, as well as workshops, courses and one-to-one support with a cancer support specialist, benefits advisor or psychologist.
You don't need a referral or an appointment. Just come in, or you can request a callback, email or call us.
* Data taken from Maggie’s Programme Database, and based on the number of people attending our young people’s support groups online and in our centres. Comparison has been made between attendance figures from Jan to July of Q1 and Q2 of 2022 and 2024. Figures showed an increase from 103 people to 147.
** Data taken from Maggie’s Programme Database, and based on the number of young people aged 16 to 24 accessing Maggie’s full programme of support both online and in our centres. The figures were taken from Q1 to Q4 of 2022 and 2023, and figures from Q1 to Q3 of 2024 with the projected figure for Q4 of this year.
*** Jianhui Zhao, Liying Xu, Jing Sun, Mingyang Song, Lijuan Wang, Shuai Yuan, Yingshuang Zhu, Zhengwei Wan, Susanna Larsson, Konstantinos Tsilidis, Malcolm Dunlop, Harry Campbell, Igor Rudan, Peige Song, Evropi Theodoratou, Kefeng Ding, Xue Li - Global trends in incidence, death, burden and risk factors of early-onset cancer from 1990 to 2019: BMJ Oncology 2023;2:e000049.
Last review: Aug 2024 | Next review: Aug 2027
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