Don’t be Fooled: Young Women are Also at Risk of Breast Cancer

By Vera Viner

Young women need to be aware of breast cancer prevention and early diagnosis. This is just as important in the younger generations as those 40 years old and older. Sometimes benign cysts or tumors do occur in women as young as their early 20s or younger.

USA Today reported on one story of Sarah Hamby, a college freshman, who found a lump in her breast and visited her doctor to ask about it. The doctor felt as many as five lumps. After a bilateral ultrasound, she had the lumps removed and then the doctors found them to be benign.

While these sort of catastrophes do not affect the majority of college-age women, it does happen and young women should be aware of early diagnosis and prevention techniques. Research shows that approximately 68,000 people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Out of all of these young adults, breast cancer affects 15 percent of the population, according to the Young Survival Coalition. The issues associated with young women being diagnosed with breast cancer is that the disease is more aggressive in these younger populations and mortality risk is higher.

“I would hope that not only young women’s awareness of the possibility of breast cancer improve, but the physician’s awareness as well,” Irene Frederick, academic director of health care leadership at the University of Denver, told the news source. “There is a lot of downplay, but the rule of thumb is that you never know.”

BBC News reported that breast cancer rates in women under 40 years of age is rising across Europe. One study found that these rates rose 1 percent between 1990 and 2008. Additionally, the greatest rise was seen in women under 35 years old.

“Rises in breast cancer rates could be caused by a range of things that can increase the risk of breast cancer, such as women having fewer children and having them later in life, or greater awareness and diagnosis in this group,” Jessica Kirby, Cancer Research UK’s health information manager, told the source. “Women can reduce the risk of breast cancer by keeping active and cutting down on alcohol. Also get to know your breasts and, if you notice any change, tell your doctor without delay.”