You're not alone. We're here.
Cancer before 40 is real.
Whether you're curious about your risk, facing a diagnosis, or living life after cancer – start with what matters to you.
It's happening more. And younger.
Cancer is still more common later in life — but it's the numbers among people under 40 that are now rising the fastest.
Why is this happening?
Researchers don't have one clean answer, but a few factors keep coming up.
Ultra-processed diets
Packaged foods and refined sugar may alter gut bacteria and drive chronic inflammation.
Obesity & metabolic changes
Rising obesity in younger people is linked to inflammation and insulin resistance.
Lifestyle factors
Sedentary routines, poor sleep, stress, and early alcohol or tobacco use may all play a part.
Better detection
More sensitive screening is catching cancers that might once have gone unnoticed.
It's easy to brush off these symptoms.
A single symptom that lingers, or a few showing up together — either is worth a quiet conversation with a doctor. A good rule of thumb: if something's stuck around for a few weeks, don't wait it out.
Want to see your overall risk first?
This cancer risk questionnaire looks at your lifestyle, health and family history to build a personal risk profile you can bring to a doctor — it takes about 3 minutes.
Top cancers in men before 403
Top cancers in women before 403
Catching cancer early can mean the difference between a stage 1 and a stage 4 survival outlook.5
Asymptomatic? Not all cancers show signs early.
Some of the cancers most relevant to this age group are known for staying quiet in their early stages.
- Ovarian cancer often presents as vague digestive discomfort
- Pancreatic cancer rarely causes noticeable symptoms until it's more advanced
- Cervical cancer can develop with no symptoms at all in its most treatable stage
This is why screening exists: to catch what you can't feel.
Explore screening options →What should you get screened for below 40?
Nationally recommended screenings include a Pap test from age 25, an HPV test from age 30 for cervical screening, and a mammogram from age 40.11
A yearly general health screening is also worthwhile.
MCED (multi-cancer early detection) testing is an option worth knowing — a single blood draw that can screen for signals across up to 50 cancer types, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer — that don't have a routine screening test at all.
Learn how the MCED test works →Could it be in your genes?
Around 5–10% of all cancers are linked to an inherited gene fault.4 For colorectal cancer specifically, Lynch syndrome — the most common inherited cause — accounts for 3–5% of cases, and often shows up as several family members diagnosed young.
Visit Mount Elizabeth Genomic Health Centre →What matters most after a cancer diagnosis is often speed, clarity, and the confidence to know what happens next.
Just been diagnosed? Here's what's probably on your mind.
Real questions we've heard from young cancer patients, with straight answers — so you know what to expect at every step.
The right fit is about more than qualifications. Look for a medical or radiation oncologist with experience in your specific cancer type, and someone whose communication style puts you at ease. Browse profiles and read more about each doctor before you book.
Not sure which type applies to you? Browse all oncologists.
We're here for you at Mount Elizabeth.
Here's what to expect from your care.
Fast access to screening, specialist consults and treatment planning
Direct and continued communication with the same specialist or care team
Coordinated access across diagnostics, surgery, and support services
Advanced imaging and expert lab tests for complex or uncertain cases
Support for fertility, mental health, finances and survivorship
Yes, your Integrated Shield Plan can help here
You may be covered for more than you think — let's find out together.
Hear it from people who've been where you are.
A podcast series with the AYA cancer community, made in collaboration with Strong Olive.
Episode 1: XXX
Watch on YouTubeLife after treatment is still your story.
Will it come back?
Recurrence risk varies by cancer type and stage. Regular follow-up scans and check-ins are how we monitor for it — your care team will set out your specific schedule.
Getting back to life and work
Many patients return to work within months of finishing treatment, often with a phased return. Occupational therapy and counselling can help ease the transition.
Finding others who get it
Peer support — including Strong Olive's AYA community — connects you with others who've actually been through it.
We've got more answers.
Why are more young adults having cancer? Our medical oncologist weighs in
Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma: why it shows up in your 20s–30s
How do I pay for cancer treatment during my 30s?
Can cancer affect my chances for fertility?
How do I detect cancer symptoms early?
Detect up to 50 cancers one test: MCED in Singapore
Could you have inherited a cancer risk? Clinical grade vs consumer tests, explained
How to reduce your risk of getting cancer
What foods cause cancer?
Best diet for cancer patients: Foods to eat and avoid
Colorectal cancer: symptoms, screening and treatment
Breast cancer: symptoms, screening and treatment
Lymphoma: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Chemotherapy, explained
Proton therapy, explained
Spin survivors: riding out Hodgkin's together in their 30s
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Whatever stage you're at, we're here for it.
Mount Elizabeth Centre for Cancer Care brings together specialists across oncology, genetics, fertility and support services — coordinated around you, not just your diagnosis. From your first question to life well beyond treatment, we're built to walk alongside you, at your pace.