Signs of Breast Cancer in Young Women

Breast cancer is said to one of the leading causes of death in women all around the world. One widely believed fact about breast cancer is that only women above the age of 40 are at a risk of developing this disease. Though this is true to a certain extent, it should not be believed completely. In other words, even young women i.e. those between the age of 20 - 40 can also be diagnosed with cancer in breasts. According to studies conducted by experts, at least 7% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 40. This shows that young women are surely at a risk of developing breast cancer and hence, it is important for them to be aware of the symptoms that can accompany this disease. Let us first take a look at the risk factors of this disease.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Young Women

One of the main causes of breast cancer in young women is the change in lifestyle. Even environmental changes like pesticides, food contamination, pollution, use of antiperspirants, etc. are also said to be responsible for this problem. Another cause that has emerged during the recent times is breast enhancement. When a woman undergoes breast enhancement, it gives rise to hormone manipulation which increases the chances of breast cancer in them. Apart from this, young women who have a personal history of non-cancerous breast diseases or breast cancer are also at a risk of developing this problem again. Also, family history can play a role when it comes to breast cancer in young women. Other risk factors that can cause this disease in young women are race, dense breasts, heavy alcohol use, obesity and high intake of red meat.

Common Symptoms

The problem with breast cancer in young women is that it is quite difficult to detect. One reason for this is that young women do not think that they are prone to breast cancer and do not take the symptoms seriously. Hence, though breast cancer in young women can be treated at the early stages, due to the lack of knowledge about the symptoms of breast cancer, the cancer may go undetected till it reaches a very advanced stage. Apart from this, the breast tissues in young women are denser than in older women and therefore, it is little difficult to detect the cancerous lump in their breasts. However, there are several other signs that one should be aware of.

Changes in the Nipples
One of the earliest sign is change in the nipples. Most women may observe that their nipples look retracted i.e. they may get pushed inward. The nipples may turn reddish in color and it may be accompanied by pain as well as irritation. Other than this, it is also common to experience a clear fluid or blood-stained discharge from the nipples.

Changes in Breast Size
Another common change that is seen in women who have breast cancer is the change in the size of the breasts. Though the changes in the size of the breasts happens gradually, by the time the woman starts noticing it, the size may have changed considerably. However, whether the size of the breasts increases or decreases varies from woman to woman. In other words, some women may experience decrease in breast size while for others, it may be other way. Also, change in the breast form is also another symptom of breast cancer in younger women.

Changes in Texture and Color
Another symptom that young women who have breast cancer may experience is the change in the texture as well as the color of the breasts. They may observe that the color of their breasts have transformed into red or may be pink in color. The change in color may occur either on the entire breast or only on certain area of the skin. Scarring may occur on the breast giving the skin an orange color. Other than changes in the texture and color of the breasts, another sign of breast cancer in young women is the indentations on the breast or in the area above the breasts.

Appearance of Lumps
Lumps are the most common sign of breast cancer, however, the problem is that young women are not trained to recognize the lumps caused by breast cancer. A lump is a thickening that is felt near the breasts or sometimes in the armpits. This lump which is felt like a small-sized pea is not very painful, however, one may experience tenderness or irritation near that area.

As you are now aware of the risk of breast cancer in young women, I hope you will take the signs seriously. Indulge in self breast checkup every month after your periods. If you observe any of the symptoms of breast cancer in young women, consult a health practitioner immediately who can diagnose the problem correctly.