(14 December, 2025)
Early-onset cancers (cancer diagnosed before age 50) account for over 10% of cancer cases. With advances in medical science, many patients and survivors can resume normal lives and return to the workplace. However, a survey by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) reveals a significant gap between early-onset cancer patients and their caregivers regarding post-cancer life and work. While 90% of early-onset cancer patients/survivors indicate they clearly understand their physical condition and wish to be treated as ordinary people, 86% of caregivers believe they need substantial assistance to live normally. Three in ten cancer patients have had conflicts with caregivers over work, rest schedules, or dietary restrictions, and 40% feel anxious due to excessive care. HKACS provides comprehensive and seamless support for early-onset cancer patients and caregivers, urging caregivers to provide appropriate support and shift from "protection" to "empowerment," allowing patients to explore life's possibilities and regain autonomy.

Hong Kong: 1 in 8 Cancer Cases Diagnosed Before Age 50
According to the latest figures from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hong Kong recorded 37,953 new cancer cases in 2023, with early-onset cancers accounting for 12%, approximately 4,500 cases. Female early-onset cancer cases totaled 3,269, with breast cancer being the most common; male cases numbered 1,230, with colorectal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer being most prevalent.

Early-onset cancers have far-reaching impacts on patients and their families, including physical changes, treatment side effects, psychological stress, family planning concerns, and financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, many patients fight cancer and aspire to live and work normally. However, caregivers or relatives may be overly concerned, and while well-intentioned, this creates pressure for patients and can even trigger conflicts.

Latest Survey: 86% of Caregivers Believe Early-Onset Cancer Survivors Need Extensive Assistance to Live a Normal Live
To understand the gap in perceptions and its impact, HKACS conducted the “Survey on the divergence in perspectives between Early-onset Cancer Patients and Caregivers” from 8 October to 24 November. The online questionnaire collected responses from 95 early-onset cancer patients/survivors (hereafter referred to as survivor) and 101 relatives, friends, or colleagues who had cared for early-onset cancer survivors (hereafter referred to as caregivers). Announcing the survey results, Dr. Lam Ka On, Chairman of the Cancer Education Subcommittee of HKACS, noted that 86% of caregivers believe early-onset cancer survivors need a great deal of assistance to live a normal life, and 64% even think early-onset cancer survivors overestimate their physical condition. However, 91% of early-onset cancer survivors wish to be treated as ordinary people, and 92% say they understand their physical and mental limits.

Work Provides Cancer Survivors with Identity and Value, Yet They Face Overprotection and Career Impact
The survey also reveals that only 22% of caregivers consider it important for early-onset cancer survivors to work, and 93% believe they should reduce their workload. However, 94% of early-onset cancer survivors express a desire to continue working, 78% believe their work capacity is no different from before their cancer diagnosis, and 89% point out that work gives them an identity and value beyond being a patient. At the same time, 87% work to earn a living, and 58% need to support their families. Three in ten early-onset cancer survivors have had conflicts with caregivers over work-related issues. Additionally, 62% of patients have been overprotected by colleagues, and 57% say their cancer has affected their opportunity of work or promotion.

40% of Cancer Survivors Feel Anxious Due to Over-attention
In terms of daily life, 64% of early-onset cancer survivors have been perceived as lacking self-care ability, 66% have had their diet excessively controlled, and around 60% have been discouraged from going out (58%) or asked to reduce social activities (61%). Three in ten early-onset cancer survivors have had conflicts with caregivers over dietary restrictions (39%) or rest schedule (34%). Additionally, 56% have felt stressed due to over-attention, and 42% experienced anxiety.

The survey also reveals that early-onset cancer survivors report that 37% of family members and 45% of colleagues or supervisors often make assumptions about their needs rather than actively asking them.

Do Not Label Early-Onset Cancer Survivors as "Fragile" or "Sick"
Dr. Lam explains that some people assume early-onset cancer patients/ survivors remain at elevated risk of mortality and therefore require additional care. With advances in diagnosis and treatment, many patients/ survivors with early‑onset cancers are able to live long and healthy lives.

Taking breast cancer as an example, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2023, researchers analysed data from 500,000 women diagnosed with early‑stage breast cancer. Crude five-year mortality risk decreased by 66% over 20 years (from 14.4% to 4.9%); and breast cancer patients diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 49 have a lower adjusted annual mortality rate than older patients.

Furthermore, some caregivers frequently remind cancer survivors that they are "patients," expecting them to pay more attention to their health. However, a study conducted in Germany involving over 6,000 cancer survivors indicates that survivors who identify themselves as "cancer patient" have lower health-related quality of life compared to those who identify as "cancer survivor." Their physical, emotional, and social functioning are each lower by nearly 10% to 20%, their insomnia rate is 26% higher, and they require more medical services.

Caregivers Should Not Make Assumptions; Cancer Survivors Should Work Within Their Capacity
Many people believe that early-onset cancer survivors' work ability is significantly declined, but with advances in medical technology, side effects of various cancer treatments have been greatly reduced, and many early-onset cancer survivors can maintain good quality of life and work normally. Therefore, close communication between cancer survivors and colleagues is essential. Rather than making "assumptions", caregivers should communicate more with survivors, listen to their needs, and provide appropriate but not excessive care in daily life, work, social interactions, and psychological support, shifting from "protection" to "empowerment." While early-onset cancer patients find identity and value in the workplace, they should also proceed step by step, work within their capacity, and discuss the most suitable work arrangements with their doctors.

Mr. Phoenix Ng, Registered Social Worker of HKACS, unveils the major reasons of tensions arise between early-onset cancer patients and caregivers in Hong Kong: many caregivers may feel that a “light diet” is the healthiest option for patients, follows by restricting patients from going out due to concern on infection risk. As a result, some patients express that “life has become intolerable”. On the contrary, most young patients are at the stage of striving for success, they wish to return to the workplace, aiming to strike for their dreams, also bearing financial responsibility of the families and thus tension arises. In case tensions arise, he advises patients/ survivors to appreciate caregivers’ intention and communicate their wishes and needs calmly. For caregivers, they are advised to soothe their feelings, calm down and understand the patient's needs and wishes from a rational perspective. Caregivers are encouraged to attend doctor’s visits with patients to better understand their health status and discuss suitable arrangements with the physician. Should tensions rise, a social worker or case manager can step in to assist with resolution.

HKACS Offers Holistic Care to Early-onset Cancer Patients and Caregivers
HKACS is committed to providing seamless support to cancer patients and caregivers, including

• the “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Community Cancer Support Services for Cancer Patients and Caregivers funded by Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation offers all-round support
• HKACS Jockey Club Cancer Rehabilitation Centre provides nursing home services
• Prof. H.C. Ho Memorial Medical Assistance Programme
• Jockey Club End-of-Life Care for Young and Middle-aged Patients Project

HKACS also shares vital knowledge on cancer prevention, treatment, and patient care. For more details, please refer to https://hkacs.org.hk/en/index.php for details

Further to the holistic support for all cancer patients and caregivers, “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Community Cancer Support Services for Cancer Patients and Caregivers have been addressing social needs with greater immediacy, delivering immediate and comprehensive support to cancer patients and their families impacted by the Tai Po fire. Services included case management with ongoing follow-up, emotional support and grief counselling, assistance with community recovery and life reconstruction, resource linkage, crisis intervention, and sustained companionship.



About the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society
Founded in 1963, by Professor John HO Hung-chiu, it is the oldest non-profit cancer organisation in Hong Kong. For over 60 years, HKACS has remained committed to preventing, fighting, and curing cancer. In addition to providing medical assistance, free in-patient care services, and comprehensive support, HKACS keeps pace with medical advancements by offering up-to-date cancer education and holistic care. We walk hand-in-hand with patients and caregivers throughout their cancer journey, empowering them in the fight against cancer.