If you are in your thirties, you probably think you still cannot get breast cancer. However, this is not true. Although it’s rare for younger women, it is common among those aged 15 to 39 years old. And some types of breast cancer are increasing among this age group. Although most breast cancers detected during yearly screening mammograms are present in women in their 50s, women under 40 are too young to start screening unless they have a genetic reason, experience physical symptoms, or have other genetic mutations. If you have an average risk for developing breast cancer, you can go to a Boise mammography center and start a mammogram screening are at least 40 years old and not older than 50 years old. You must continue to get a screening until the age of at least 74. Women who have dense breast must get a breast ultrasound in addition to a mammogram.
A breast cancer diagnosis poses different challenges. However, younger women diagnosed with breast cancer have unique economic, body-image, and reproductive concerns.
Is Pregnancy Possible in Younger Women with Breast Cancer?
A breast cancer diagnosis for younger women creates uncertainty regarding pregnancies. Cancer treatments can impact ovarian function, but experts can help in preserving fertility before the start of treatment by freezing embryos or eggs.
In addition, pregnant younger women diagnosed with cancer must speak with their doctors. Breast cancer is common in pregnant women. Pregnancy brings about different changes in a woman’s breasts. And because pregnant women cannot get mammograms, diagnosing the disease can be more challenging. However, their prognosis is not necessarily worse. In this case, doctors will focus on treating cancer while protecting the pregnancy. Some kinds of chemotherapy treatments can be administered to pregnant patients who have breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Detection
Some factors increase women’s risk of breast cancer at a younger age. The risk tends to be higher in those who have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer and those with an Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Also, it is important to consider the risk associated with having chest radiation therapy.
Women are advised to perform a breast self-exam four times every year (quarterly) and learn about their risk factors. Awareness about breast cancer includes knowing your family history of cancer. Also, it is imperative to know behavioral factors that can increase one’s risk of breast cancer like alcohol consumption and weight gain.