Study: Teens may be at higher risk for some types of cancer

An English study found that teens are more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer, including cervical, testicular and skin cancer (Source: “Teens may be more susceptible to some cancers,” Washington Post, June 9, 2008). However, researchers have not yet determined whether the higher risk factor is related to genetics, hormone levels, environment, lifestyle or a combination of them all.

While the authors of the study, Cancer Research United Kingdom's Pediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group, acknowledge that more research is needed to better determine exact causes of the higher cancer rates among teens, they urge parents and health care professionals to redouble their efforts to encourage teens to make lifestyle decisions that will reduce their risk of preventable cancers such as melanoma and cervical cancer.