There has been an alarming and significant increase in the number of breast cancer Cases in pre-menopausal women – those under 50 years of age. According to a recent report by the American Cancer Society, breast cancer rates in this age group have increased by 1.4 percent every year from 2012 to 2021.

The numbers are highest among Asian American and Pacific Islander women — of any age, with an increase of 2.5-2.7 percent each year, the report said.

What is causing the increase in breast cancer? Among young women?

increased estrogen levels

According to experts, one of the main reasons for this increase is that breast cancer is driven by estrogen – a female hormone. Breast cancer cells have receptors on the outside of their walls that can catch specific hormones circulating in your body. Doctors say most women today get their periods at an earlier age, delaying having children — which increases estrogen and potentially promotes cancer cells.

obesity

Furthermore, obesity is on the rise – due to sedentary lifestyles and consumption of processed foods. Doctors say an enzyme – known as aromatase fat turns testosterone into estrogen – causing levels to rise.

If you are, you are also more likely to get breast cancer again.

Liquor

Various statistics show that the number of women drinking has increased rapidly, with binge drinking being more common among women in their 30s and 40s. Doctors say that alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer by about 16 percent. Most women who consume alcohol at least two or three times a week have large amounts of folic acid in their systems – a major risk factor for cancer.

In addition to breast cancer, alcohol also increases the risk of other types of cancer, including head and neck, esophageal and liver cancer.

Breast cancer more aggressive in younger women

Breast cancer in women under 40 is more likely to have characteristics that contribute to poor prognosis and outcomes, including:

• increased tumor size
• advanced tumor stage
• negative hormone receptor status
• Overexpression of HER2 protein

Doctors also contribute to all of the above risks for triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that doesn’t have many targeted treatment options, though that’s changing — it’s also more common in younger women. Additionally, the rate of metastatic breast cancer in women under the age of 40 has increased by 3.5 percent each year.

Younger women are more likely to experience recurrence five and 10 years after treatment than older women.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?,

• Changes in the shape, size, or outline of your breasts
• A mass or lump – feels as small as a pea
• A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarms that persists during your menstrual cycle
• Changes in the look or feel of your breast or nipple skin. Your skin may appear pitted, wrinkled, flaky, or swollen. It may look red, purple, or darker than other parts of your breast
• a marble-like hard area under your skin
• blood spotting or clear fluid discharge from your nipple

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