Breast cancer is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis in females under 40. Because routine screening isn’t recommended at this younger age range, diagnosis can be difficult.
Younger people with breast cancer experience unique challenges.
According to a 2021 clinical review, breast cancer is now the most common type of cancer for women younger than 39.
However, the disease is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it tends to be more aggressive. This means the survival rate is lower and the recurrence rate is higher.
Knowing your risk factors for breast cancer and its early signs and symptoms can help you get started on treatment sooner.
Breast cancer has been considered rare in your 20s or 30s. According to data from the
Female breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women ages
More recent data also shows that breast cancer is actually the most common type of cancer among young adults ages 15 to 39. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Here are some additional important statistics to know on breast cancer at a younger age:
- In the United States, 1 in 196 women under age 40 receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. More than 12,000 women younger than 40 were estimated to get a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2020 alone.
- Women younger than 50 are more likely to get a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is a cancer that tests negative for progesterone and estrogen receptors, as well as too much HER2 protein.
- The number of metastatic breast cancer cases diagnosed in women ages 25 to 39 has increased by 2.1% per year from 1976 to 2009.
- The number of new cases of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), which is breast cancer diagnosed during or up to a year after pregnancy or nursing, ranges between 17.5 and 39.9 per 100,000 births. However, the likelihood of PABC during pregnancy is lower than after birth.
- Pregnancy and nursing are linked to a
lower risk of breast cancer because fewer menstrual cycles lower cumulative exposure to endogenous hormones.
According to the
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the Unites States. Their average risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime is about
Some women are at an increased risk of breast cancer in their 20s or 30s. Risk factors for developing breast cancer at this younger age include having:
- a close family member (mother, sister, or aunt) who was diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
- a close male blood relative with breast cancer
- a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
- received radiation treatment to the chest or breast before age 30
- hormonal factors, such as early menstruation, hormonal contraception, or anovulatory infertility
Other risk factors that apply to people of any age include:
- having a high percentage of breast tissue that appears dense on a mammogram
- having had a previous abnormal breast biopsy
- having had your first menstrual period before age 12
- having your first full-term pregnancy after age 30
- never having a full-term pregnancy
- being physically inactive or overweight
- being of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
- drinking heavy amounts of alcohol
Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow and multiply abnormally. This is often due to changes in DNA in the cells.
The exact reason why normal cells turn into cancerous cells is unclear, but researchers know that hormones, environmental factors, and genetics each play a role.
Roughly
Breast cancer in your 20s and 30s may also be different biologically to the cancers found in older individuals. For example, younger women are more likely to receive a diagnosis of triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers than older women.
The number of women under 40 receiving diagnoses of metastatic breast cancer is increasing. The progression to metastasis, which is where the cancer spreads to different parts of the body, is
Metastatic breast cancer means that the cancer has advanced to stage 4. It has moved beyond the breast tissue into other areas of the body, such as the bones or the brain. This type of cancer has lower survival rates.
Among every age, adolescent and young women have lower breast cancer survival rates than older women. The more advanced the cancer,
It’s often difficult for doctors to diagnose breast cancer in people under 40 the younger you are, the denser your breasts are. A tumor won’t be as visible on mammograms, making it harder to detect cancer.
However, some signs and symptoms of breast cancer may
- a change or lump in the breast area
- swelling in your underarm lymph node area
- changes to your nipples, like redness, scaliness, or discharge that is not breast milk
The majority of young people who receive a diagnosis of breast cancer discover an abnormality themselves — this highlights how important it is to become familiar with the shape and feel of your breasts and regularly perform self-exams.
Always report any breast changes to your doctor. These include:
- changes in the skin
- nipple changes and discharge
- pain
- tenderness
- a lump or mass in the breast
Breast cancer can happen in your 20s and 30s. Since routine screening isn’t recommended for this age group, diagnosis can be difficult.
That’s why understanding the statistics and your personal risk factors can help you with early diagnosis and treatment.