Young People & Sickness/Cancer | Graphic by Rose Taylor | The Wright State Guardian
Anyone can have a chronic illness, and there are several that college students can be more susceptible to.
Cancer
Cancer is when abnormal cells form in parts of the body and multiply at a rapid rate. This causes issues for the area affected.
Dr. Weiwen Long, a professor of molecular biology at Wright State, explained particular harms for college students.
“College is a time where students are experimenting. While this is normal, it can lead to cancer, depending on the activity,” Long said. “A student who smokes or vapes, they are more susceptible to lung cancer. If they drink heavily, liver cancer may occur. These are things students have to keep in mind.”
According to Long, to reduce the chance of cancer, one should reduce cancer-causing activities, such as vaping and over-drinking alcohol.
Hypertension
College students can also be susceptible to Hypertension (or high blood pressure). This is not just something that impacts older people. Sherri Powell, a family practitioner at Rocking Horse Center, explains these factors.
“High sodium foods and alcohol are all things that can bring high blood pressure. These foods are cheap and quick. College is about experimenting, so alcohol is usually involved. Another big cause is stress. There is a lot going on in college, and students are always stressed out. Hypertension is the silent killer,” Powell said.
Powell recommends reducing stress and trying to cut back on high-sodium foods to reduce blood pressure.
Mental health
Mental health regulation is another big struggle that students have to deal with.
“College is hard,” Dr. Christa Agiro, a professor of Teacher Education and Cultural Studies, explained. “This doesn’t take trauma and real life into account. We all have our own demons, and sometimes this can get in the way of our learning.”
Agiro recommends that students should reach out for help when it is needed. She recommends the Counseling and Wellness Center on campus, where students can talk to a counselor and join support groups.
Reaching out
Many illnesses and struggles can affect a college student's health, but the main message from all of these doctors is to take care of ourselves and reach out when we need help.
For more information about CWS services, visit the university website. Click here for resources from Greene County Public Health.
