35-year-old East Tennessee man diagnosed with brain cancer amid increase in early-onset cancer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — If you're young, most likely the last thing on your mind is cancer, but cancer is hitting more adults at younger ages-before they turn 40, 50 or even earlier.

It's one of the simple joys of being a parent, spending time with your toddler on a pretty day at the park, but it takes extra stamina for one young dad who takes nothing for granted. Tyler Wells just finished his final radiation treatment for brain cancer, barely 24 hours before this special time with his son.

"Today, right now," Wells said, "We're feeling good. We're feeling positive and tired."

Wells, at the age of 35, is among a growing number of young people ages 18 to 49 who are being diagnosed with cancer. These cases are known as early-onset cancers.

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The latest research shows an increase worldwide by a shocking 79 percent. The deadliest diagnoses: breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach and colorectal cancers, according to a 2023 study published in the journal BMJ Oncology. We wanted to know why.

Dr. Nathan Cantrell of the University of Tennessee Medical Center, said, "a lot of it does have to do with the way our diet and lifestyles have changed over the last 50 to 75 years. I think there are a lot of things we can do personally to help modify our risk factors."

Cantrell advises:

"That can drastically change your risk profile," Cantrell said. "Modify that environment which cancer can develop."

Wells's cancer doesn't fit in that category, but he said his young age and healthy lifestyle kept him from getting an accurate diagnosis for two years. Doctors at first thought he was having panic attacks. Instead, an MRI revealed they were seizures caused by his brain tumor.

"The tumor was about the size of a dime in my frontal lobe," Wells said. "I went to UT that weekend. They put me on some seizure medication. I stopped having them immediately."

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Wells encourages all young people to listen to their bodies and don't ignore even subtle symptoms.

"I think this is important for young people to fight for yourself," he said. "Do your own research, advocate for yourself."

Wells said his prognosis is good following surgery and radiation. His focus now: "I'm looking forward to healing and getting on to living."

Wells just started chemotherapy in pill form. He'll be on that for a year.