No age is a good age to develop breast cancer. Though it most often strikes women between the ages of 55 and 65, women of all ages should be aware of their personal risk factors and be diligent about screenings.

According to Rekha Harting, MD, Hematologist and Medical Oncologist on staff at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, the overall percentage of women under 45 diagnosed with breast cancer is around 10 percent. “Unfortunately, for women in that age group cancer can be more aggressive,” Dr. Harting explains. That could be due in part to the lack of good diagnostic tests for younger women, and women believing that they are too young to develop the disease.

In addition to age and gender, the amount of time you’ve been exposed to estrogen also plays an important role. “If your first menstrual cycle was at a young age, or you began menopause later than average, that exposes you to more estrogen during the course of your life,” says Dr. Harting. A pregnancy later in life or never having been pregnant also contribute to increased estrogen exposure.

Should women under 40 get screened?
In general, mammograms are not always reliable in screening women under the age of 40 because those women tend to have denser breast tissue that can hide lesions. But, if you have increased risk factors your doctor may recommend starting mammograms early and adding an MRI test to the screening.

Dr. Harting notes that having an above average risk for breast cancer should prompt you to talk with your doctor. “For patients who have a first degree relative – a mother or sister – who was diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause or if they have the BRCA 1 or 2 genetic mutation, we’d want to start imaging earlier than age 40,” she says.

Self-exams can help you understand what your breast tissue usually feels like. If you know what feels normal, you’ll be more likely to notice when something seems different. But, Dr. Harting stresses that a good technique is essential. “Ask your doctor to teach you how to properly perform your self-exam if you’re not sure,” says Dr. Harting. “Doing the self-exam in addition to your annual clinical exam at the doctor’s office can be an important diagnostic tool for younger women.”

Treatment options for younger breast cancer patients
Breast cancer treatment isn’t fundamentally different for women who are diagnosed younger than most, but some of the considerations are different. For women diagnosed in their 30s, preserving fertility is often a concern. “Most younger women with breast cancer are otherwise healthy, so giving them a full course of chemotherapy treatment is a fairly straightforward process,” Dr. Harting explains. But, that dose of chemotherapy may permanently damage their fertility or induce early menopause, which can lead to hot flashes or even osteoporosis.

“We have to talk with patients and take potentially life-changing side effects into account,” says Dr. Harting. “For very young patients, they may not have begun to think seriously about whether they’re planning on having children. We as physicians have to help them with the emotional impact as well as the physical impact of their disease and its treatment.”

Support groups, like the kind held at Adventist Midwest Health, can also help breast cancer patients of all ages cope with their diagnosis and treatment path. “Women have different stresses at different stages in their lives. Having a group of peers to talk to during your treatment can be so helpful in managing everything,” Dr. Harting says.

Finally, all women should do their best to educate themselves and ask questions. “Breast cancer is very treatable when found early, so get screened and be persistent,” Dr. Harting says. “If you know something’s changed in your breast, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor and insist it be checked out no matter what your age.”

You don’t have to wait to get screened for breast cancer. Call 630-856-7061 today to schedule your next-day mammogram through Adventist Midwest Health.