Jahi Chikwendiu of The Washington Post

AMERICAN FORK, UT - FEBRUARY 8: Tanner Martin, 30, foresees life after his is gone where he and his wife, Shay Martin, live in the basement of Shay’s parents’ home on February 8, 2025, in American Fork, UT. In 2020, Tanner was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, who is now due to give birth to their daughter in June. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - FEBRUARY 8: Tanner Martin, 30, grimaces in pain as his pregnant wife Shay Martin, 28, does chores, including feeding their dog, Luke, where they live in the basement of Shay’s parents’ home on February 8, 2025, in American Fork, UT. In 2020, Tanner was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, who is now due to give birth to their daughter in June. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

PROVO, UT - APRIL 15: At a prenatal medical checkup, Dr. Donna Dizon examines sonogram images of the baby of Shay Martin, 28, and Tanner Martin, 30, who is under the influence of a cocktail of cancer-related drugs, at Intermountain - Utah Valley Maternal Fetal Medicine on April 15, 2025, in Provo, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay Martin, who is now due to give birth to their daughter on May 15th. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

PROVO, UT - APRIL 15: At a prenatal medical checkup, Dr. Donna Dizon examines sonogram images of the baby of Shay Martin, 28, and Tanner Martin, 30, who is under the influence of a cocktail of cancer-related drugs, at Intermountain - Utah Valley Maternal Fetal Medicine on April 15, 2025, in Provo, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay Martin, who is now due to give birth to their daughter on May 15th. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - FEBRUARY 8: Shay Martin, L, who is expecting to give birth to a daughter in June, stands by while her husband Tanner Martin, 30, has a warm exchange with Ben and Daisy Hodges and their neighbor’s child at a baby shower for Shay and Tanner’s baby at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 8, 2025, in American Fork, UT. In 2020, Tanner was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, who is now due to give birth to their daughter in June. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

PROVO, UT - APRIL 15: Tanner Martin, 30, is wheeled by his wife, Shay Martin, 28, into the medical facility where Shay has a prenatal medical checkup at Intermountain - Utah Valley Maternal Fetal Medicine on April 15, 2025, in Provo, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay Martin, who is now due to give birth to their daughter on May 15th. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - APRIL 16: Tanner Martin, 30, R, gets medical assistance from his father, Tom Martin, R, where Tanner and his wife, Shay Martin, 28, live in the basement of Shay’s parents’ home on April 16, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Tanner rests in a medical bed that was recently delivered to their home. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay Martin, who is now due to give birth to their daughter on May 15th. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - MAY 14: Shay Martin, 29, R, bids farewell for the night to her cancer-ridden husband, Tanner Martin, 30, as she prepares to give birth to their child the next morning at Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital on May 14, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Steve Wright, Shay’s father, helps Tanner make it home. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - MAY 15: Shay Martin, 29, holding her newborn daughter, Amy Lou, looks to her husband, Tanner Martin, 30, as he minds his emotions in a birth recovery room at Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital on May 15, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - MAY 17: Alongside Tanner Martin, 30, center L, Shay Martin, 29, feeds her 2-day-old daughter, AmyLou, while surrounded by Shay’s parents, Amy Wright and Steve Wright, foreground, and Tanner’s parents, Kim Martin and Tom Martin, the day the infant was brought home from the hospital, two days after being delivered via C-section, on May 17, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - MAY 17: Tanner Martin, 30, cradles his daughter, AmyLou, the day the infant was brought home from the hospital, two days after being delivered via C-section, on May 17, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Tanner was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - JULY 3: Kimberlee Martin, C, mother of Tanner Martin, is comforted by friends at the viewing of Tanner’s body at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 3, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Others pictured are Spencer Martin, L, Tanner’s brother, Nora Watts, 2nd from R, Tanner’s maternal grandmother, and Tom Martin, R, Tanner’s father. Tanner, who succumbed to illness on June 25, 2025, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - JULY 3: Shay Martin, wife of recently deceased Tanner Martin, curls over Tanner’s body at his viewing at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 3, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Others pictured are Spencer Martin, L, Tanner’s brother, Nora Watts, 2nd from R, Tanner’s maternal grandmother, and Tom Martin, R, Tanner’s father. Tanner, who succumbed to illness on June 25, 2025, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

AMERICAN FORK, UT - JULY 3: While waiting to attend the viewing of the body of her recently deceased husband, Shay Wright Martin relaxes with her daughter, AmyLou Martin, alongside their dogs, Luke, sitting, and Forrest, in one of the spots husband Tanner Martin used to sit in the basement apartment of Shay’s parents’ home on July 3, 2025, in American Fork, UT. Tanner, who succumbed to illness on June 25, 2025, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November of 2020 at age 25. At the time, he was going to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychiatry and had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Shay. Most cancers in the United States are found in people age 65 and older, but a new study shows a concerning trend: Cancer among younger Americans, particularly women, is on the rise, with gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancers climbing at the fastest rates. There is not a clear explanation why cancer rates are rising among younger people, but experts say there are several possible reasons behind the trend, including rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping poorly and being sedentary. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and carcinogenic chemicals, also probably play a role. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)