Breast cancer: Breast cancer in young women

Younger women generally do not consider themselves to be at risk for breast cancer. Only 5.5% of all breast cancer cases occur in women in their 20s and 30s, and 80% occur in women over 50. However, breast cancer can strike at any age, and women of every age should be aware of their personal risk factors for breast cancer. (A risk factor is a condition or behaviour that puts a person at an increased chance for developing a disease.)

There are several factors that put a woman at high risk for developing breast cancer, including:

• 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 radiotherapy. Evidence of a specific genetic defect (eg BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation). Women who carry defects on either of these genes have a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

Some studies have suggested that extended use of oral contraceptives (the Pill) results in a very slight increased risk of developing breast cancer compared with those who have never taken them. Women who have stopped using birth control pills for more than 10 years do not seem to be at any greater risk. Other studies, however, show no such effect. Researchers continue to study the conflicting results in these trials to determine if birth control pills play a role in breast cancer.

What is different about breast cancer in younger women?

Diagnosing breast cancer in younger women (under 50 years old) is more difficult because their breast tissue is generally denser than the breast tissue in older women. By the time a lump in a younger woman's breast can be felt, the cancer is often advanced.

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 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.

Can breast cancer in younger women be prevented?

Although breast cancer may not be prevented, early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve a woman's chances of surviving breast cancer. More than 90% of women whose breast cancer is found in an early stage (stage 1) will survive.

When women learn at a young age about the risks and benefits of detecting breast cancer early, they are more likely to follow the recommendations regarding clinical examinations and mammograms. Young women also need to understand their risk factors and be able to discuss breast health with their health care providers.