Breast cancer is more common in younger women

By Vikas Vaidya

A few decades back, breast cancer was much more common after fifty years of age, and the number of young women suffering from this disease were lesser; almost 65% to 70% patients were above 50 years and only 30 to 35% women were below fifty years of age. However, presently, breast cancer is more common in the younger age group and 50% of all cases are in the 25 to 50 years age group.
Women should perform a self breast-exam each month and any changes or abnormalities should be discussed with a doctor or physician.
Dr Ajay Mehta, well-known Oncologist said, “A mammogram is an x-ray that allows a qualified specialist to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. An early detection plan enables you to be proactive about your health by reminding you to do monthly breast self-exams and schedule clinical breast exams and mammograms. The most common form of treatment for breast cancer is surgery. This involves removing the tumor and nearby margins. Surgical options may include a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and reconstruction. Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer is a myth. The truth is only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is also a myth that men do not suffer from breat cancer. They too do, though the percentage is just one.”
Dr Krishna Kamble, former Head of Department of Radiotherapy, Government Medical College and Hospital said, “Quite the contrary, each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small,(about 1%) men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians. Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.  Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.”
Dr Mehta pointed out, “The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any remaining questions or concerns you may have with your physician.If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too is a misconception. Actually, while women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.” 

To be kept in mind

- If you have a mother, daughter, or sister who developed breast cancer below the age of 50, you should consider some form of regular diagnostic breast imaging starting 10 years before the age of your relative’s diagnosis.
- If you have had a grandmother or aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases slightly, but it is not in the same risk category as those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer.
- If you have multiple generations diagnosed with breast cancer on the same side of the family, or if there are several individuals who are first degree relatives to one another, or several family members diagnosed under age 50, the probability increases that there is a breast cancer gene contributing to the cause of this familial history, informed Dr Ajay Mehta.