Young Women & Breast Cancer

Although studies have confirmed that women over 40 years old are more likely to acquire breast cancer, younger women inflicted with the disease is not an unlikely possibility nevertheless.

Young women and breast cancer is not a common pair. However, there are instances where women under 40 years old are diagnosed with the disease. Although, breast cancer in young women only accounts for about 7.5% of all breast cancer cases, it still is existent.

Young women with breast cancer are likely to possess a faulty gene, either a BRCA1 or a BRCA2. These genes play different roles in the development of breast cancer. Thus, if either of the two is faulty, this puts the woman on a higher level of breast cancer risk. In addition, if the woman belongs to a family with a breast cancer history, then the risk is elevated some more. Thus, even if generally, young women and breast cancer do not mix, it doesn’t mean that they don’t mix at all.

There are several ways to reduce a young woman’s risk, or detect the onset of the disease early on for better treatment. Clinical breast exams are highly advised to all women who are 20 years old and above. Those under 40 years old are advised to undergo clinical breast exams every three years. Women who are at least 40 years old are required to undergo the exam ever year.

The risk of breast cancer in women who have a family history of the disease are more probable. Thus, it is recommended that they seek their health care providers for risk assessment, test advice, and possible preventive measures.

Since young women and breast cancer is rather rare, it is still important for them to make themselves familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts by regularly doing breast self-exams (BSE). Women should start these monthly exams by the time they’re 20. The most ideal time to do this is about the time when your menstruation ends. While doing breast self-exams, look out for any changes in texture or appearance of your breasts. Lumps are some of the most common symptoms of breast cancer. So watch out for these.

Most often, it is rather difficult to diagnose breast cancer among young women. This is due to the fact that the breast tissues of younger women are often thicker than those of the older women. So as soon as a lump is observed in a young woman’s breast, it is usually already big and fatal enough to reduce her chances of survival.

Also, young women and breast cancer is not an easy-to-deal-with combination because the cancer is often more insistent and less reactive to the various therapies and treatments. Since the occurrence of breast cancer in young women is highly unlikely, the delay of diagnosis is another thing to worry about.

Usually before a definite breast cancer diagnosis is made, young women are told that the lumps are just cysts and that these need to be observed further before it can be ascertained that they have breast cancer.

In order to detect breast cancer early and obtain reliable diagnosis, make breast self-exams a monthly habit. Also, if you notice any distinctive changes in your breasts, make sure that you tell your doctor about it. If for some reasons your doctor’s diagnosis and/or advice do not satisfy you, don’t hesitate to obtain a second opinion.

Young women and breast cancer may not go together often. However, if young women neglect to do their share in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, they might just as well change statistics.