Am I too young to worry about breast cancer?

Earlier this year, actress Olivia Munn (44) shared her breast cancer diagnosis with the world. That same month, Kate Middleton (42) shared her cancer diagnosis after undergoing abdominal surgery a few months prior. While specifics are not fully known about the type of Princess Kate’s cancer, both examples bring to light a troubling trend—cancer diagnoses among people under age 50 are on the rise, particularly among women.

When it comes to breast cancer in young women, it is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in women aged 20 to 49. They are often diagnosed with aggressive, harder-to-treat breast cancers, such as triple negative breast cancer. Racial disparities exist in younger ages as well, and Black women younger than age 50 have a breast cancer death rate that is twice as high as white women of the same age.

The reasons why young-onset cancer cases are on the rise are not yet fully understood, but what is clear is that younger women need to be proactive in taking control of their own breast health, insisting upon prevention and early detection measures that could have a profound impact on their health outcomes.

So, what can you do if you are under age 40?

If you are at average risk for breast cancer, you should get an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. But there are a few action steps you can take before you hit 40 to take charge of your breast health.

Be breast aware and know your ‘normal’

Make sure you are familiar with your breasts by looking and feeling them on a regular basis (ideally monthly)—doing this will help you know your ‘normal’. Regular checking will help you notice any new bumps, lumps, indentations, redness or discharge. Pay attention to how your breasts look and feel at different points in your menstrual cycle, as your breasts could change throughout the month. About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer under 40 found their own breast abnormalities. You can learn how to be breast aware and check your breasts at learn.bremfoundation.org.

Risk assessment

Taking a simple risk assessment such as CheckMate can help you learn more about your individual risk factors for breast cancer. There are many things to consider when determining your personal risk factors, and an assessment can help you become more aware.

Taking a risk assessment will help you start a conversation with your health care provider and find out when to begin screening and what screening options are right for you. Your doctor or provider may do their own risk assessment in office, too, as part of your appointment.

Family history

Learning your family history of cancer and certain other diseases is another crucial step toward understanding your risk. Find out if close relatives have had breast cancer or other cancers and the age they were diagnosed. First degree relatives are especially important (children, siblings and parents). But learning about the cancer history of second-degree relatives is important, too (cousins, aunts/uncles and grandparents), particularly if more than one has had cancer.

READ ALSO | What to do when you don’t have access to your family medical history

Share this information with your health care provider (you can do so with this handy family health history chart) to find out if you are at increased risk and may need to screen beginning at a younger age or more frequently.

Explore genetic testing

Knowing your family history can help you determine if genetic testing is right for you and whether to start screening before age 40. You also may want to explore genetic testing if you are unable to find out your family history. Genetic testing is much more accessible than in years past. Depending on your risk level, it may be covered by your health insurance. You should check with your insurance company before meeting with a genetic counselor or health care provider to see if the meeting and/or genetic testing are covered by your insurance.

Speak up!

Finally, if you feel your concerns are not being properly addressed, seek opinions from multiple health care providers. Ask questions to gain more understanding of your breast health and encourage others around you to be mindful of their health, risk factors and screening options. Knowledge is power in the early detection of breast cancer.