Breast Cancer: Are 20-Somethings At Risk?

Life2PointOh



By Ashley Rose Howard, Life2PointOh.com

It's any woman's worst nightmare. You're in the shower washing your body with soap and singing along to your favorite new tune when you come across a noticeable lump in your right breast. Panic sets in. Is it a bruise? A cyst? You're still in your 20s-the picture of youth and health. So should you really be concerned? According to theYoung Survival Coalition: Young Women Facing Breast Cancer Together, women ages 15 to 34 die more frequently from breast cancer than any other cancer. In dedication of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to make sure all of you are properly informed about your breast and self-examinations.

First thing to remember: Don't Stress! If you've discovered a lump, you may develop anxiety over the possibility of getting diagnosed with breast cancer. But at the same time, you're putting an enormous amount of worry and stress on your body, which can weaken the immune system and cause other health issues. The statistics prove that developing breast cancer in your 20s is possible, but very unlikely. "The odds of a 20-something being diagnosed with breast cancer are about as likely as the diagnosis of a 74-year-old man," says Dr. Colette Ho, a New York City Internal Medicine Practitioner tells us. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't take proper precautions in your 20s, especially if you have a lineage of breast cancer in your family.

Doctor's #1 recommendation: Self-Exam. Yes, that's right. Fondling your own breasts is the most important preventative measure a woman in her 20s can practice. A self-exam should be preformed in the comfort of your own home-preferably one week after your menstrual period begins-by following these four steps:

Step 1: Lay down so your breast tissue spreads evenly over your chest wall and is as thin as possible. You may also opt for the shower, as the slippery texture of water may increase your chances of detecting a change.

Step 2: Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand-not your fingertips-to check your breast for lumps by moving your fingers slowly in small coin-sized circles. Use different levels of pressure to feel all of your breast tissue.

Step 3: Check your entire breast using a lengthwise strip pattern. Feel all of the tissue from the collarbone to the bra line and from the armpit to the breastbone. Start in the armpit and work down to the bottom of the bra line.

Step 4: When in doubt about a particular lump, check your other breast. If you find the same kind of lump in the same area on the other breast, both breasts are probably normal. Pay attention to any lump that feels much harder than the rest of your breast or painful to the touch. If you find anything that concerns you, schedule a visit with your doctor.

Click here for more tips on detecting and preventing breast cancer.

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Life2PointOh is a 20-something blog with the focus on conquering the Quarter Life with tips and tricks in entertaining, relationships, career, style and more.

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Photo Credit: glokbell via Flickr