Representational image
Breast cancer is no longer a concern that women can afford to put off until middle age. A growing number of younger women are being diagnosed with the disease, which makes awareness and early detection more important than ever.
A recent report by Southern Maryland News highlighted concerns about rising breast cancer in younger women. Clinicians in India are seeing the same trend.For many people, cancer is something that happens to someone else, or a worry for later in life. Others assume it matters only if it runs in the family. Both assumptions are wrong.Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Senior Oncologist, says breast cancer in young women is a particular concern because many are diagnosed late.
He stresses the importance of noticing changes in the breast and seeking medical help sooner rather than later."Breast cancer is not just a disease of older women. Young women need to be equally aware of their breast health," he says. It is a message that needs to reach every household.Breast cancer can affect women of any age, but it often takes a heavier toll on younger women, partly because it tends to be diagnosed at a later stage.
Younger women usually have denser breast tissue, which can make lumps harder to feel and mammograms harder to interpret. The breast also changes naturally through puberty, pregnancy and breastfeeding, so new symptoms are easily dismissed. In addition, cancers in younger women are more often of aggressive subtypes.
Why is breast cancer getting younger?
Age remains one of the most important risk factors for breast cancer, but Dr Malhotra points to two forces behind the rise among younger women."Breast cancer is affecting women at a younger age, and an important component of this is familial or hereditary breast cancer linked to BRCA1, BRCA2 and related genes," he explains. "These inherited mutations account for a larger share of cancers in young women, and their contribution may be higher in India. Robust Indian data on BRCA-related cancers is now being collected. At the same time, lifestyle and reproductive changes are adding to the risk.
These include earlier puberty, later marriage and first pregnancy or not having children, shorter periods of breastfeeding, obesity, lack of exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, and the high-stress lives many young women lead today. Emerging trends also suggest that assisted reproduction, hormonal imbalances and hormone replacement therapy may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer in younger women."Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco can all help reduce risk. Women with a strong family history should ask their doctor about genetic counselling and testing. This is especially true if close relatives had breast or ovarian cancer, particularly at a young age.Dr Malhotra says awareness is especially important in countries such as India, where embarrassment or fear can stop women from speaking to their doctors about breast health.A lump is not always painful, and not every change in the breast is easy to see or feel. Any unusual change should be checked by a doctor. Warning signs include a sudden change in the shape or appearance of the breast, dimpling or thickening of the skin, a newly inverted nipple, or abnormal discharge.
Self-examination: A simple habit that supports early detection
One of the most common reasons women delay seeking care is that they simply don't know what to look for.Becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel makes it easier to spot unusual changes.
Dr Malhotra recommends breast self-awareness and regular self-examination as part of a wider approach to early detection. Women should check for lumps, thickening of the skin, swelling, or changes around the nipple."Knowing your own body can help you recognise when something is wrong. Do not ignore a potential problem simply because you are young or because it does not hurt. Early diagnosis can make all the difference to treatment and recovery," he says.Self-examination is not a substitute for clinical evaluation, however. Some cancers do not present as a lump. Any suspicious change should be assessed by a doctor, who can decide whether further tests are needed, such as an ultrasound, mammogram or biopsy.Many women put off seeing a doctor out of fear of what they might hear. Avoiding a check-up does not prevent or delay illness. When breast cancer is caught early, the outlook is far better and treatment is often less extensive.Women with a family history or other risk factors should discuss with their doctor which screening is right for them. Every woman should take note of any change in her breasts.
Awareness starts at home
Awareness alone is not enough. Families need to talk openly about women's health and breast cancer, and to understand that risk can begin at any age.Young women should know that breast cancer can affect them, but this knowledge should empower them rather than frighten them.
Awareness, education and timely screening remain the best defences against the disease.Know your body and what is normal for you. If something doesn't seem right, seek medical advice. Self-awareness is the first step, not the last. Professional evaluation, screening and treatment are essential, and ignoring a warning sign can delay potentially life-saving care.