Susan G. Komen is the leading non-profit breast cancer organization. They have recently responded to newly released data showing the percentage of women getting breast cancer is growing, especially in women under the age of 40. Most women don’t start screening for breast cancer until they turn 40, so even a small increase in these statistics is not good news. The American Cancer Society’s newest statistics show a 1% increase in breast cancer diagnosis in a 1-year period. There was a 1.4% increase in breast cancer development in women under 50 and a 0.7% increase in women older than 50.
This increase in breast cancer in younger women is not the direction we want to head in. There are fewer measures set in place for younger women to get tested for and notice breast cancer. This means they are less educated on the subject and don’t know what symptoms to look for. This leads to detecting cancer later, having a later stage of cancer, and it being less treatable.
Anyone can develop breast cancer, but there are many genetic and locational factors that increase the likeliness of developing breast cancer, such as race, family history, inherited genetic mutations, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status. None of these statistics are the fault of women, and all are due to factors outside of their control.
Komen reiterates that there are a couple of free breast cancer prediction tools available to the general public, such as the Gail test of the Tyrer-Cuzick model. These tests operate as a kind of medical calculator that uses a woman’s personal, medical, reproductive, and family history to predict her chance of developing breast cancer at certain ages.
If you are worried about breast cancer or your risk of developing breast cancer, please consult a doctor. Komen insists on talking to your doctor about breast cancer, no matter how old you are. This way you can stay the most educated and watch out for all warning signs of breast cancer, no matter how abnormal. Komen says that the average woman should start scanning for breast cancer beginning at age 40, but this does not account for those who are at a higher risk at an earlier age.
Victoria Wolodzko Smart, senior vice president of Mission at Susan G. Komen, states that “Even though the average age at breast cancer diagnosis is 62, breast cancer affects people of all ages. We need to change the conversation around early detection so we’re doing more to find the young women who are at higher risk and ensure they get the care they need, without financial barriers.”
“Many people face barriers to accessing and affording the medical care they require, and Komen is committed to working with state and federal policymakers to remove financial and insurance barriers to breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment,” Smart added. “We can save more lives from this disease when breast cancer is caught early, and treatment can begin right away. Insurance coverage should not determine who lives and who doesn’t.” If you or anyone you know is struggling with the cancer screening and treatment system, call Komen’s free Breast Cancer Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN to talk to a patient navigator and representative who will be happy to help.
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