Posted by Ashley Rose Howard
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.
Other than the self-exam, the best way for 20-somethings to reduce the risk of breast cancer is to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, reduce stress and drink alcohol in moderation (basically, everything opposite from your college years!).
So, how do you protect the ta-tas with age? The same advice goes for 30-somethings–self-exams, eat right and get your body moving. As for 40-somethings, diet and exercise becomes more mandatory rather than recommended. Dr. Ho says most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women between the ages of 40 and 75. Lockey Maisonneuve, Founder of MovingOn, an organization offering exercise classes for breast cancer survivors,can’t stress enough about the importance of balancing a healthy diet and exercise to prevent breast cancer going into your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
Lockey was one of the unfortunate women who discovered her worst nightmare of breast cancer soon after her 40th birthday. As a survivor, she suggests women begin getting annual mammograms starting at age 40, and most importantly, “Don’t put it off!” As for 20-somethings, Lockey recommends to Life2PointOh getting educated on your genetic history of breast cancer. “So many young women have no idea that their mothers, grandmothers or even great-grandmothers were once diagnosed with breast cancer.”
As you start recognizing the extensive amount of pink ribbons waving around for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to appreciate your healthy 20-something breasts. Practice your self-exams, investigate your family history and don’t wait to get checked if you feel a non-organic lump!
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