‘Too Young for Cancer’ author Katie Coleman gives free talk at The Gathering Place in Beachwood

BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Author Katie Coleman will read excerpts from her book, "Too Young for Cancer: One Woman's Battle for a Diagnosis and a Fighting Chance," during a book launch event on Monday.

The free event is 6 p.m. at The Gathering Place East, 23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood. It can also be viewed virtually. The Gathering Place is a nonprofit that supports people coping with cancer. It offers support groups and programs for all members of the cancer community, including young adults ages 18-45.

The Gathering Place's book launch event will include a Q&A session with Coleman. Here is the link to register.

"Too Young for Cancer" ($29.99, Alcove Press) tells the story of Coleman's rare cancer diagnosis at age 29. She sought treatment at top cancer institutions and pushed for a high-risk and life-changing surgery. The book discusses her treatment, recovery and shift in perspective.

Coleman is a software engineer at the Rare Cancer Research Foundation, founder of the nonprofit Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance, and the host of the podcast "Oncology Unscripted."

"Let Katie's memoir stand, ensconced in blunt truth, as a beacon of inspiration to patient advocates and a call to healthcare systems," Dr. Jonathan M. Hernandez, investigator at the National Institutes of Health, said about the book. "This is a must read for patients suffering from diseases of all sorts and for patient-facing physicians across all disciplines."

Cancer in young adults like Coleman is on the rise, disease experts say.

About 80,000 young adults aged 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. About 9,000 young adults die from cancer each year.

Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in young people 20 to 39, behind only accidents, suicide, homicide, and heart disease, according to the cancer society. It's the leading cause of death from disease among females in this age group, and is second only to heart disease among males.

Survival rates for cancer in young adults have not changed much in recent decades, unlike the improvements seen in many cancers in children and older adults.

Survival rates can vary a great deal, based on the type of cancer and other factors, according to the cancer society.

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.