Breast Cancer in Young Women: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment

Most women are diagnosed with breast cancer at 50 years of age or older, when mammograms are a standard practice at women’s wellness appointments. Yet, the rates of breast cancer in young women are on the rise, sparking a new conversation about early-onset breast cancer.

In fact, early-onset breast cancer accounts for about 10% of all new female breast cancer diagnoses according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So, why are so many young women getting breast cancer?

While doctors have seen a rise in early-onset breast cancer, the exact reason for the recent uptick is still unclear. However, researchers are actively studying potential causes from genetics and family history to lifestyle and environmental factors.

What we do know is that younger women are often diagnosed at later stages, and there are two main reasons why:

• Lack of routine screening (mammograms) before age 40: Breast cancer screenings usually don’t start until age 40, so cancers in younger women are less likely to be found early.
• Lower awareness of breast cancer symptoms and risk factors: Symptoms are often subtle and mistaken for other health issues.

While learning about the rise in cases can be overwhelming, understanding the diagnosis, symptoms, and risk factors is a key step you can take to protect your health.

What is early-onset breast cancer?

Early-onset breast cancer occurs when women between the ages of 18 and 45 receive a breast cancer diagnosis.

Breast cancer develops when new cells in the breast form in an unusual way, creating breast cancer lumps, also known as tumors. These tumors can spread throughout the body as the cancer cells break away from the mass and enter the blood and lymph vessels. When the cells spread throughout the body, the disease becomes more advanced and challenging to treat, so early prevention is vital.

What are the breast cancer stages?

Oncologists break breast cancer into five stages, which represent how many cancer cells are in the body and how far they’ve spread:

• Stage 0 is non-invasive and hasn’t spread beyond its original location in the breast.
• Stage I breast cancer has grown past its original spot and may be in nearby tissue.
• Stage II means the cancer has grown or spread locally to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage III means the cancer is more widespread in the breast and lymph nodes but hasn’t reached other organs.
• Stage IV, or metastatic breast cancer, has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other parts of the body.

For those with early-onset breast cancer, diagnosis often occurs in the disease’s more advanced stages, making it more difficult to treat.

What are common types of early-onset breast cancer?

While there are more than 10 types of breast cancer, most young women are diagnosed with one of two types:

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts and can spread into the nearby breast tissue.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer that doesn’t have estrogen, progesterone, or HER2 receptors.

Early-onset breast cancer: Symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options

When it comes to early-onset breast cancer, taking the time to learn about risk factors, symptoms, and treatment methods is the first step you can take toward early detection.

What are the risk factors for early-onset breast cancer?

While breast cancer can happen to anyone, your family history can increase your risk of developing early-onset breast cancer. You may be at higher risk if you’ve had a relative with:

• Breast cancer before 50
• Breast cancer in both breasts
• Male breast cancer
• Metastatic prostate cancer
• Ovarian or prostate cancer
• Triple-negative breast cancer

However, other factors can also increase your risk, including:

• Testing positive for BRCA1/2 genetic mutations
• Undergoing radiation therapy to the chest

What are early-onset breast cancer symptoms?

Common symptoms of early-onset breast cancer include:

• Armpit and/or breast lumps
• Redness, dimpling, or skin rash on and surrounding your breast
• Inverted nipples
• Nipple discharge
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Thickening or swelling of the breast or nipple

What are early-onset breast cancer treatment methods?

When it comes to early-onset breast cancer, there are several treatment options to consider:

• Lumpectomy (lump removal)
• Mastectomy (breast removal)
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy

Before beginning treatment, care teams will consider the type of cancer, its stage, and your personal health to ensure that you feel more confident and comfortable with your treatment plan.

We understand that the rise of early-onset breast cancer can be intimidating. But by setting aside time to learn about the diagnosis and its warning signs, you can help us spread the word and promote early detection.

Find out how our comprehensive breast cancer care can help you take charge of your health with confidence.