A new study from the American Cancer Society shows overall cancer deaths are down, but the number of women and young adults with cancer is up.
The report shows that rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than their male counterparts.
Dr. Richard Barakat, of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, said the increase is in certain cancers, including breast cancer.
“It is known that having children and breastfeeding is protective against breast cancers," says Dr. Barakat. "Screening has become very good so we might be picking up more cancers early on”
The Miles of Hope Foundation works with women throughout the Hudson Valley who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
"In breast cancer, what we found was that post-pandemic, people were not going back to have a mammogram. All prevention services were being disregarded," says Pari Forood, executive director of the Miles of Hope Foundation.
Rates are increasing for certain types, including oral, pancreatic, uterine and liver cancers.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Surgeon General also sounded the alarm on the links between alcohol and many different types of cancer.