By Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM
The increasing incidence of cancer among women under 50 has become a growing public health concern. Recent studies indicate that the cancer incidence rate for young women was 82% higher than for men in the same age group in 2021, a sharp rise from 51% in 2002 (NBC News, Advisory). This alarming trend suggests that lifestyle, environmental factors, and gaps in healthcare access may be driving the surge. Case management can serve as a vital tool to address these challenges by providing personalized, coordinated support to help young women mitigate risk factors, navigate treatment, and access preventive care.
With risk factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental toxins, and reproductive choices influencing cancer rates, ambulatory and population health case managers can help guide young women through early detection and preventive measures. Case managers help patients develop health strategies tailored to their individual risk factors, ensuring they receive timely screenings, follow-up care, and access to necessary treatments (American Cancer Society, 2025).
Obesity, a major risk factor for cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer, is often linked to poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity. Case managers can help women establish healthier routines by connecting them with registered dietitians, exercise programs, and behavioral health support for weight management. Similarly, for those struggling with smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, case managers can provide referrals to smoking cessation programs and addiction counseling services.
Exposure to harmful environmental toxins, such as air pollution, contaminated water, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has been associated with increased cancer risks. Case managers educate patients on reducing these exposures by advocating for safer household products, promoting the use of water filtration systems, and encouraging awareness of occupational hazards. They can also help patients identify potential sources of environmental risks within their homes or workplaces and recommend actionable steps to minimize exposure.
Delayed childbirth, fewer pregnancies, and reduced breastfeeding duration contribute to prolonged estrogen exposure, increasing breast cancer risk. Case managers can assist in educating women about these risks and guiding them through preventive screenings such as mammograms, Pap smears, and genetic testing if they have a family history of cancer. Additionally, they can provide support for fertility preservation options for young women undergoing cancer treatments that may impact reproductive health.
To help young women proactively reduce their cancer risk, case managers can facilitate access to essential preventive measures, including:
- Personalized Screening Schedules: Ensuring women receive routine cancer screenings based on their personal risk factors, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and HPV vaccinations.
- Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling: Providing guidance on maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in physical activity, and decreasing processed foods from their diet.
- Toxin Exposure Reduction Plans: Assess for home environment risk factors that may lead toward increased exposure and support care plans that include water filtrations, and home environments that are free such high risk elements as mold.
- Stress Management Support: Encouraging mindfulness practices such as yoga, meditation, and adequate sleep to improve immune function and overall well-being.
- Financial and Insurance Navigation: Assisting patients with understanding their healthcare coverage, reducing financial barriers to screenings, and accessing patient assistance programs.
As cancer rates among young women continue to rise, case managers can do their part to reduce risks factors. By coordinating preventive care, providing educational resources, and advocating for holistic wellness strategies, case managers can empower young women to take charge of their health. While ongoing research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of increasing cancer rates, proactive intervention through case management is a critical step in combating this growing health crisis.
References
Advisory. (2025). Why cancer rates are increasing among young women. Retrieved from https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2025/01/29/women-cancer
American Center Society (2025). Cancer Incidence Rate for Women Under 50 Rises Above Men's. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/cancer-incidence-rate-for-women-under-50-rises-above-mens.html
NBC News. (2024). Cancer cases increasing among women, declining among men, report finds. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/cancer-cases-increasing-women-declining-men-report-rcna187586
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Bio: Tiffany Ferguson, MSW, ACM, CMAC is CEO of Phoenix Medical Management, Inc. Tiffany serves as an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University, Department of Social Work, and on the American College of Physician Advisors (ACPA) Observation Committee. Tiffany is co-author of The Hospital Guide to Contemporary Case Management through HcPro. She is a contributor for RACmonitor and Case Management Monthly; she also serves on the editorial board for CMSAToday and Care Management. She is a weekly correspondent on SDoH for the news podcast Talk Ten Tuesday. After practicing as a hospital social worker, she went on to serve as Director of Case Management and quickly assumed responsibilities in system level leadership roles in Health & Care Management, which includes CM, UR, CDI, HIM, and coding. She has held C-level responsibility for a large employed medical group which included value-based arrangements and outpatient care management. Tiffany is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and received her MSW at UCLA.