Younger women generally do not consider themselves
to be at risk for breast cancer. Only 5 percent of all breast
cancer cases occur in women under 40 years old. However, breast
cancer can strike at any age, and all women should be aware of
their personal risk factors for breast cancer. (A risk factor is a
condition or behavior that puts a person at risk for developing a
disease. These risk factors have been incorporated into several
risk factor models; the most well-known of these is the Gail
Model.)
There are several factors that put a woman at high
risk for developing breast cancer, including:
- A personal history of breast cancer or high risk lesion found
by biopsy
- A family history of breast cancer, particularly in a mother,
daughter, or sister
- History of radiation therapy
- Evidence of a specific genetic chance (BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation)
-- Women who carry defects on either of these genes are at
greater risk for developing breast cancer.
What is different about breast cancer in younger
women?
Diagnosing breast cancer in younger women (under 40
years old) is more difficult because their breast tissue is
generally more dense than the breast tissue in older women. In
addition, breast cancer in younger women may be aggressive and less
likely to respond to treatment. Women who are diagnosed with breast
cancer at a younger age are more likely to have a mutated (altered)
BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Delays in diagnosing breast cancer also are a
problem. Many younger women who have breast cancer ignore the
warning signs--such as a breast lump or unusual
discharge--because they believe they are too young to get
breast cancer. Many women assume they are too young to get breast
cancer and tend to assume that a lump is a harmless cyst or other
growth. Some health care providers also dismiss breast lumps in
young women as cysts and adopt a "wait and see" approach.
Breast cancer poses additional challenges for
younger women as it can involve issues concerning sexuality,
fertility, and pregnancy after breast cancer treatment.
Can breast cancer in younger women be
prevented?
Although breast cancer might not be prevented,
early detection and prompt treatment can significantly increase a
woman's chances of surviving breast cancer. More than 90
percent of women whose breast cancer is found in an early stage
will survive.
When women learn at a young age about the risks and
benefits of detecting breast cancer early, they are more likely to
following the recommendations regarding clinical exams and
mammograms. Young women also need to understand their risk factors
and be able to discuss breast health with their health care
providers.