Think Pinker

While breast cancer in young women is not a common scene, it does happen occasionally. Less than 5% of all breast cancer cases are in women under 40 years of age. However, according to Web MD it can strike women of all ages. 

Risk factors include: 

• A personal history of breast cancer or some non-cancerous breast diseases.
• A family history of breast cancer, particularly in a mother, daughter or sister.
• History of radiation therapy
• A Gail Index score of at least 1.7%
  Some studies have indicated long term use of oral contraceptives as a risk factor.

It’s more difficult to diagnose breasts cancer in women under 40 because the breast tissue is denser than in older women, so by the time a lump can be felt in a younger woman they are dealing with advanced breast cancer. Even when there are early signs young women are much more likely to ignore those signs and not see a doctor, thinking they are too young for breast cancer to be a concern.

It is much more aggressive in young women and it is also much less likely to respond favorably to treatment. The majority of young women’s breast cancer has a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

There is no prevention for breast cancer, but early treatment is absolutely necessary. In fact, it increases your chance of survival to more than 90%. Educating young women about breast cancer risks is a good place to start. When young women are taught how to do a self breast exam, when to see a doctor, and when to have a mammogram they are in much better hands, and that’s a good thing!