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Breast Cancer: When Age is a Risk
By Dianne Hart Pettis,
CRNP
The Truth Contributor
It’s that time of the
year! Not fall, and its colors of red, gold, and rust – but
of pink, signifying Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast
cancer occurs when abnormal cells arise in the breast tissue
and begin to grow out of control.
It affects men as well
as women, because men have breasts too. Breast cancer is the
most common cancer in women. Though most cases are found in
women over the age of 50, about 11 percent of new cases are
found in women under the age of 45.
This month, I want to
focus on breast cancers in younger women – under age 45. I
also want to sound the alert that breast cancers in ages 25
to 39 are rising. They tend to be more aggressive, and tend
to be more metastatic – spreading to other parts of the
body. A cancer diagnosis at any age can be difficult to
receive, but it seems doubly unfair to a woman who may just
be starting a marriage, family, or a career.
The reasons for
cancer aggressiveness in younger ages is not fully
understood. When breast cancer is detected early; treatment
can be started early, therefore decreasing metastasis and
hopefully decreasing the aggressiveness. Younger women may
be less alert to signs because it may not even cross their
minds that cancer could be in the realm of possibility at
their young age.
Risk of breast cancer in women under age 45 increases when:
·
There are close relatives (mother, grandmothers, aunts,
siblings) who were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer
under the age of 45
·
There are inherited changes in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, which are
breast cancer genes that suppress cancer growth, and repair
DNA
·
You are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
·
You have had frequent exposure to or treatment with
radiation to the chest in childhood or early adulthood
·
You have had a past breast cancer; or other breast problems,
such as abnormal ducts in the breast or a history of dense
(thick) breasts on mammograms
·
You have increased and changing hormones for five years
after having a child
·
You have your first child after the age of 35
·
You started menstrual cycles early (ages eight or nine)
It is important to
have regular screening exams every one to two years
depending on your risk. The most important screening is the
Breast Self-Exam (BSE) that should be performed every month
about one week after a menstrual cycle is complete. Breasts
are less ‘lumpy’ at this time. Ask your primary care
provider (PCP) to show you how to perform this exam. When
you do this exam yourself regularly, you will know when
there is a change that you need to report to your PCP. You
will need to report:
·
Any breast pain
·
New lumps in your breast or arm pits
·
Irritation or ‘dimpling’ of breast skin
·
Nipple pain, pulling, redness, or discharge (leakage)
·
Any change in size or shape
Clinical exams by a
medical professional should be done every year. Depending
on your individual risk, if no signs or symptoms your PCP
may recommend a first mammogram at age 35. Recommendations
vary, but may include mammograms every two years until age
45, then yearly after age 45. Risk increases with age.
Depending on family history, your PCP may recommend genetic
testing. The results would also guide monitoring, preventive
management, or treatment should it be needed.
As always, healthy
lifestyle habits will help to lower your risk. Work toward
a healthy weight, healthy diet, exercise four or more hours
per week, limit or eliminate alcohol, and decrease exposure
to radiation in medical tests when possible. Breast feeding
has been shown to help decrease risk. Avoiding estrogens
has also been shown to decrease risk. Discuss options for
birth control or hormone replacement therapy with your
gynecologist. Spread the word; remind your loved ones to
“take care of the girls!”
Contact Dianne Hart Pettis, CRNP at 724-375-7519
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