A spotlight on young adults with cancer continues to shine as it becomes more prevalent than some might imagine. The Cancer Legal Resource Center Chronicle reports that adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 39 have greater risks of being diagnosed with cancer than children under the age of 15, as much as 8 time as likely.

Lymphoma, leukemia, germ cell tumors, melanoma, central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, and breast, cervical, liver, thyroid and colorectal cancers are the most commonly found types seen in young adults. A recent study revealed results of nearly 68,000 individuals, ages 15 to 39 years, had been diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer risk and survivorship challenges are under-recognized despite two barriers: minimal advances in treatments specifically altered for this population and the element of recent federal health care reforms. Very few clinical trials are made available to these young adults being diagnosed with cancer because of a lack of referrals being made by their diagnosing physicians.

For more information on young adult cancer, support and resources, visit The Cancer Legal Resource Center.