Am I too young to have a mammogram?
After a mammogram and ultrasound, I was done in 5 minutes!
Quick doesn’t undervalue the #scanxiety, but it means you will know sooner. Knowing early is better than knowing late.
I’m 48 years old. I’m no longer a young adult (currently defined as 20-40 years old), but I still feel like one. Unsurprisingly, I still have dense breasts. Because the breast tissue and mass appear white, the mass can be hidden by the breast tissue, making it harder to detect any masses. The density of a woman’s breasts is determined by the amount of glandular and fibrous tissue she has compared to the amount of fatty tissue found there. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer, but they are not perfect.
Ensure your mammogram report includes a density report, and inquire if you would benefit from additional tests such as an MRI.
So back to being young.
The terrible myth is that one is never too old to get cancer. What matters is knowing your risk might be high if you have some high-risk factors like strong family history. Breast and cervical cancer are most common among young women aged 20 to 39. Our knowledge of what works and is commonly available includes PAP smears, HPV and HIV testing, and genetic testing if there is a strong family history.
Breast cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and can be particularly difficult to treat among young women. In addition, a person may have concerns about body image, fertility, finances, or feelings of isolation.
Our latest data on young adults (20-40) with breast cancer showed just over 10% of 9626 cases in SA 2017. That’s more than 1000 young women in just one year. That’s a lot!!!!!
Over 2000 between 40-50 and 2000 for 50-60-year-olds. The importance of early screening cannot be overstated. We’d miss out on 5000 women if we waited until we were 60…which is what’s happening on the ground.
Oncology issues among young adults are receiving more attention. Patients and providers alike hope that it will lead to a better understanding of the unique challenges and to what matters most…improved outcomes. Although there is still much to be done to meet their needs, the momentum among providers, patients, and advocates is encouraging.
Dr. Prinitha Pillay is a specialist Radiation Oncology in Gauteng. She is practising in Johannesburg, offering radiation cancer treatments, Comprehensive palliative care and psycho-social support. She offers a variety of treatments including Breast Cancer Treatment, Gynaecological, Gastrointestinal, Lung Cancer Treatment, Paediatric, Head and Neck, Prostate Cancer Treatment, Brain Cancer Treatment, Dermatological and Musculoskeletal Cancer Treatment
For more on breast cancer in young women, watch my webinar on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPM9l8JadwpnEyN-uIs8jQ
There is a dedicated site to learn more https://densebreast-info.org
