Service Line Focus: Early-Onset Cancer Programs

The incidence of cancer in adults under age 50 is rising. Younger patients often are diagnosed at more advanced stages, after symptoms appear, since most routine screenings aren’t recommended for this age group. In response, many health systems are launching early-onset cancer programs. Common initiatives include:

• Expanding efforts to educate younger adults on cancer risks, symptoms and early detection through awareness campaigns, partnerships with community organizations and targeted outreach efforts.
• Deploying dedicated coordinators and patient navigators to streamline care, ensuring timely referrals to specialists. Initial focus areas include breast, gastrointestinal, colorectal and gynecologic cancers, with programs evolving as new research emerges.
• Incorporating genetic testing and counseling, fertility preservation services, sexual health counseling and psychosocial support to help improve quality of life throughout treatment.
• Embedding younger patients into clinical trials to better understand the causes and risk factors contributing to the increase, as well as developing new strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment.

Whether organizations establish a dedicated early-onset cancer program or not, they must have a clear strategy for coordinating care for these patients. For more insights, Sg2 members can check out our 2024 subspecialty guides on breast cancer, colorectal and anal cancer and gynecologic cancer.

Sg2 offers members in-depth strategic guidance in numerous service lines: Behavioral Health, Cancer, CV, Medicine, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Surgery and Women’s Health. Not a member? Reach out to us at learnmore@sg2.com for information on the expert intelligence, data-driven insights and strategic perspective Sg2 offers to health systems nationwide.