Breast Cancer in Young Women

November 6, 2009 emmalyk
Tags: breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Pink, self exam

We often think of only older women being at risk of breast cancer, but it can affect women of all ages. Only about seven percent of cases involving breast cancer occur in women under 40.  Even with such a low percentage of young women being affected, they still need to be aware of the risks.

One woman, who was only 29 years old when she misdiagnosed with breast cancer, documented her journey through a blog.

Doctors believed it was merely a cyst, but it turned out to be much more.  This blog follows her journey through the process that followed.  It was a year from the time the lump was noticed until she received a mammogram.

Her story shows how important it is for women to perform self-exams and be able to notice if something is wrong.  The doctor may not catch something, but you know your body and you know when something doesn’t seem right.

Young women often ignore the signs because they think they are too young to develop breast cancer.  The early you can catch the disease, the better the survival rate.  Unfortunately many younger women with the disease are hit with a more aggressive form of the cancer.  This only reinforces why it is so crucial for young women to catch the disease in its beginnings.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women over the age of 20 perform at-home breast exams once a month.  The best time to preform one is the first day after menstrual cycle ends.  By doing the self check every month you will become more aware of what’s normal for your breast.  Then if something doesn’t feel right late, you won’t be questioning if it has always been there.

It is also recommended women be checked by their doctor every three years after they turn 20.  If your doctor isn’t offering- ASK!  It only takes a few minutes and it truly can save your life.

Plus, getting in these habits of self monitoring and requesting exams at the doctor’s office at an early age will help you in the long run.  We all know the saying you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.  So don’t wait, start early.  If you are a mom with a daughter in her 20′s why not do a buddy reminder once a month?  Or ladies, if you have roommates you can help remind each other as well.

Not sure how to perform an at home exam?  WebMD offers some advice

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