Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that forms in the breast tissue. It is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women. It typically affects women age 40 and older, but it doesn't spare the younger demographic.
Over the past five years, breast cancer diagnoses in young women have been rising by more than 2 per cent. It is a significant concern as the exact cause of most breast cancers isn't known.
Apart from this, breast cancer in young women is more aggressive than in older women and is more likely to be:
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Higher grade
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Fast growing
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Hormone receptor-negative
What is Early-onset Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer in young women, also known as early-onset breast cancer, happens when a female is diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 18 and 45. It is harder to treat based on tumour markers and may be more aggressive.
Types of breast cancer young women can get are:
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Invasive ductal carcinoma: The most common breast cancer at any age that starts in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast.
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Triple-negative breast cancer: A rare type of breast cancer that spreads faster than other types of breast cancer.
How is Breast Cancer in Young Women Different?
When young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, the disease may be more advanced than if they were over 45. The primary reason that the disease may be more advanced is women usually don't go for routine screenings for breast cancer until age 40.
Breast cancer is less common in young women, but it is not rare, and that's why young people might not recognise symptoms. Moreover, younger women are more likely to experience recurrence at five and ten years after therapy than older women.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Young Women?
The symptoms of breast cancer in young women are the same as in older women. The following are the common symptoms:
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Lumps in your breast
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Change in the skin of the breast
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Breast pain
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Nipple discharge
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Swelling of nipple
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Inverted nipple
Risk Factors
A younger woman's breast cancer risk also increases if:
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She has a family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer before 50
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She has a family member with cancer in both breasts
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She had her first menstrual period before age 12
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She had her first pregnancy after 30
What are the Major Causes of Breast Cancer at a Young Age?
Usually, early-onset breast cancers are due to mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (genetic mutations- changes to your DNA sequence during cell division) that lead to genetic conditions like cancer.
If BRCA1 or BRCA2 are mutated, the abnormal cells multiply unchecked, and the person may be at a higher risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
According to research, early-onset breast cancer risk is also higher if the women have mutations in genes like TP53, PTEN, STK11, PALB2, and CDH1.
Note: It is essential to understand that not all early-onset breast cancer is due to gene mutations. Some occur on their own.
Unique Challenges for Young Women with Breast Cancer
There are many challenges for young women with breast cancer, such as:
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Diagnostic challenges: Due to delay in diagnosis, managing breast cancer in young women can be challenging. The breast tissue of young women is often denser, making it hard to detect the tumours.
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Discussion with medical professionals: Talking to a medical professional can be difficult for young women who have less experience and confidence about their health. They may not recognise the symptoms and can't freely discuss them with the doctor, and if they do, the doctor sometimes ignores them, as mammograms aren't recommended for this age group.
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Emotional stress: The diagnosis of breast cancer can be particularly stressful for young women. They will have a lot of concerns which impact their self-image, relationships, and plans.
What are the Treatment Options for Breast Cancer in Young Women?
Breast cancer treatment begins with a conversation between the patient and the medical professional. After the initial discussion, the medical professional will develop a treatment for the patient, which includes:
Breast cancer surgery, such as mastectomy or lumpectomy
A lumpectomy is a procedure to remove an individual tumour from the breast. This surgery is recommended to treat breast cancer in the early stages. While mastectomy removes tumours of one or both breasts. The average cost of lumpectomy in India ranges from USD 1800 to USD 2400.
Hormone therapy
This therapy works by eliminating cancerous cells' access to the hormones they need to grow. Medical professionals may combine hormone therapy with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for effective treatment.
Chemotherapy
A common type of breast cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to kill the growth of cancerous cells in the breast or that have spread from the breast. Chemotherapy is often used before or after breast cancer surgery. It is usually given in cycles, with each cycle consisting of one or more drugs and a rest period. Oncologists can use one kind of chemotherapy drug or a combination of drugs. The average cost of chemotherapy in India ranges from USD 600 to USD 800.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system attack and kill the breast cancer cells. It can be used to treat early-stage and triple-negative breast cancer.
Targeted therapy
This therapy treats and kills cancer cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells. Sometimes, targeted therapy is used as a front-line or initial treatment and can also be combined with other treatments.
Radiation therapy
In this therapy, high-powered X-rays are used to kill or damage cancerous cells in the breast. Surgical oncologists often remove tumours by surgery, and then radiation oncologists do radiation therapy to eliminate remaining cancerous cells.
What are the Complications of the Treatment?
Every treatment has some complications, and undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer can affect a woman's ability to conceive. It is essential to talk to the healthcare provider if someone is planning to start a family about fertility preservation options before beginning breast cancer treatment.
Some other side effects from the breast cancer treatment are:
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Body image concern
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Anxiety
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Cancer pain
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Depression
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Cancer fatigue
Can You Lower Your Risk of Getting Breast Cancer at a Young Age?
It is important to understand that there is no way to prevent breast cancer at a young age. However, getting earlier and more frequent breast screenings can help to lower the risk. Earlier diagnosis gives the best chance for a successful treatment.
Final Words
Breast cancer in young women comes with different challenges that require a proper approach to care. Fortunately, public awareness about breast cancer in young women helps them to understand the signs and symptoms for early diagnosis and timely treatment from the best cancer doctors in India.
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