Breast Cancer in Young Women by Kim Wooden 1

Facts While the majority of women who develop breast cancer are postmenopausal, younger women are more likely to develop aggressive forms of the disease. Women ages 15 to 34 and 35 to 54 die more frequently from breast cancer than any other cancer. No effective breast-cancer screening tool yet exists for women ages 40 or younger. 2

In the United States alone, 1out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. It’s second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death. Breast cancer often detected too late. If found early, the five year survival rates are 98 percent for breast cancer and 92 percent for cervical cancer. Statistics 3

Your Breast 4

Factors of Breast Cancer Major Risk Factors Family history Starting menstrual period at a young age Obesity Radiation exposure Race- Caucasian Dense breasts Inherited gene BRCA1 or BRCA 2 Other Risk factors Taking birth control pills Smoking Alcohol consumption 5

Cancer 6

Symptoms Finding a mass or lump which may be the size of a pea. Dimpling in the breast. Changes in skin texture of breast. Discharge from the nipple. Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple. 7

Diagnosis Traditional Mammography Digital Mammography Ultrasound MRI Breast Biopsy Genetic Testing 8

Traditional Mammography A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, is a method of detecting breast cancer tumors that cannot be felt. Mammograms are done with a special type of x- ray machine used only for mammograms and which produce a picture of the breast on film. 9

Digital Mammography Produces high-quality images of the breast Can show cancer that may be too small for you or your doctor to feel Allows for a more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer Provides easier access for your referring physician to obtain your imaging results 10

Ultrasound Breast ultrasound uses sound waves that cannot be heard by humans to look at the breast. 11

MRI A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the breast and surrounding tissue. 12

Biopsy A breast biopsy is a procedure in which cells are collected for microscopic examination. 13

Genetic Testing A genetic test examines the genetic information contained inside a person's cells, called DNA, to determine if that person has or will develop breast cancer or could pass the disease to his or her offspring. 14

Treatment Surgery Lumpectomy Partial mastectomy Modified radical mastectomy Radical mastectomy Other Forms of Treatment Chemotherapy Radiation Hormonal therapy 15

Lumpectomy A lumpectomy is a type of surgery that removes a tumor or lump from the breast, along with a small amount of surrounding tissue. 16

Partial Mastectomy Surgery that removes less than the whole breast, taking part of the breast where the cancer is found and some of the healthy tissue that surrounds the breast. 17

Modified Radical Mastectomy During a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes the breast (including the skin, breast tissue, areola, and nipple) and most of the lymph nodes under the arm. The lining over the large muscle in the chest called the pectoralis major is also removed. 18

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to systemically treat breast cancer. 19

Radiation Radiation is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. 20

Prevention Restrict alcohol use Stop smoking Maintain your weight Exercise Breast feed your baby Cook and eat well Avoid extra hormones Breast self-exams 21

Knowledge is Power! 22

Sources For Further Information Young Survivor Coalition Dana-Farber Cancer Institute American Cancer Society Susan G. Komen 23

References Buckman, R. (2010). Cancer is a word, not a sentence. London, England: CollinCarvalho, L. (2009). The everything guide to living with breast cancer. Avon, Ma: F&W Media. Feuerstein, M. (2007). Handbook of cancer survivorship. New York, NY:Springer Link, J. (2007). The breast cancer survival manual. (Fourth ed.). New York, NY: Holt Paperback, Macmillian. Microsoft Clip Art Miller, K. (2008). Choices in breast cancer treatment. Baltinore, Md: Johns Hopkins Press. Shockney, L.(2010). Patient’s guide to breast cancer. Boston, M: Jones and Bartlett. 24