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This is ageism, plain and simple
No, I'm not going to whine about being a Boomer. The good news (for me) is that it's not seniors being treated differently this time. Kidding aside, what I'm about to share is serious business, and what's good news for Boomers is bad for Millennials and Gen Zers.
It turns out that cancers in those aged 50 and younger are on the rise—big time. There's been a 13 percent increase over the past 20 years in colorectal, stomach and pancreatic cancers. Chronic disease rates have doubled over the same period as well, so just maybe a connection there? The cause may be younger persons' exposure to additives their entire lives or bad lifestyle choices or environmental factors. We don't know much for sure. Until we do, here's what we do know.
How sad is it that a physician says, "It doesn't wow us anymore" to see someone in their 20s or 30s with cancer? Younger people don't visit the doctor as often as their elders. That failure to have a patient-provider relationship can be life-altering when any concerning symptom does appear, because Gen Yers and Zers also seek health care counsel much later than they should. Once they do, the provider may not know the patient very well and/or isn't thinking cancer because of the patient's age. The chances of a missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis rise. (Hear hooves and think horses, not zebras.)
Research shows it takes 40 percent longer to diagnose cancer in those under age 50. That's bad, and greatly increases odds the cancer will be Stage 3 or 4 when ultimately identified. Tougher to treat and tougher to beat.
Just 30 seconds more
If you see something, say something. Don't let symptoms go unchecked, no matter what assumptions you may be making about your own immortality. Early detection is the key to curing or more effectively treating most life-limiting and chronic conditions. And FYI, bragging about never having had a colonoscopy, mammogram, PSA test or Pap smear is not cool.
The declining health of our entire population (not just the Boomers) is a major contributor to this struggle for health care resources. Like I keep telling you: It's not that there won't be health care for anyone, it's that there won't be health care for everyone. Life is a lottery: You gotta play to win.
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