Breast cancer is incredibly rare in teenagers. According to the American Cancer Society, between 2012 and 2016, the rate for female breast cancer in 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States was 0.1 in 100,000. That equals one teen in a million.
Breast changes are a normal part of growing up and nothing to be scared of. You may worry that these changes are related to cancer, but this is very unlikely.
This article will look at teenage breast cancer, including symptoms to look out for, myths about breast cancer, and normal breast changes in puberty.
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When breasts begin to grow, they appear as a lump (called a breast bud) underneath the nipple. This is a normal part of the development process.
The breasts get bigger and rounder as the fatty tissue and milk-producing glands inside the breasts continue to grow. As the breast buds grow, you may notice tingling, aching, or itching in your chest, and your nipples may swell or become tender.
After your periods start, the changing hormones may make your breasts feel tender, swollen, or sore a week or so just before your period starts. This is all normal.
There’s a lot of misinformation and myths online about breast cancer. Don’t believe everything you read, particularly if it doesn’t come from a reliable medical source.
Some breast cancer myths include:
Plenty of changes happen to your breasts that are not cancer. Most breast lumps in teenage girls are fibroadenomas, which are noncancerous. These are caused by an overgrowth of connective tissue in the breast.
Fibroadenomas are the reason for 91% of all solid breast masses in girls younger than 19 years old. The lump is usually hard and rubbery, and you would be able to move it around with your fingers.
Other less common breast lumps in teens include cysts, which are noncancerous fluid-filled sacs. A breast cyst often feels smooth and soft. If you press on a cyst, it will feel a little like a water balloon.
Some research has shown that taking hormonal birth control (the pill) slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. But once you stop using hormonal birth control, risk levels eventually return to normal.
An analysis of data from more than 150,000 women showed that, overall, women who had ever used oral contraceptives had a slight (7%) increase in the risk of breast cancer compared with women who had never used oral contraceptives.
If you use hormonal birth control and you’re concerned about your cancer risk, discuss your options with your doctor before stopping your birth control.
The main factors that influence your risk of getting breast cancer include being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. Only about 5% of breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years of age.
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. Therefore, it’s important to have any new breast mass, lump, or breast change checked by an experienced healthcare professional.
Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:
Although any of these symptoms can be caused by things other than breast cancer, if you have them, you should report them to a healthcare professional so the cause can be found.
No one knows the exact cause of breast cancer, but there are known risk factors such as:
Some factors like smoking, obesity, and alcohol use are preventable factors, while others like older age and genetics are out of your control.
Treatment for breast cancer depends on how far the disease has spread and your general health when you are diagnosed. Some treatment options include:
The American Cancer Society no longer recommends regular breast self-exams, since there’s no evidence that they help reduce breast cancer deaths.
The organization still believes that being familiar with what is normal for your breasts will make it easier to recognize any changes that happen. A change in breast shape or texture, a new lump, or other significant change could signal a problem that should be checked out by your healthcare provider.
Most teens don’t need breast exams at the doctor because they are not at high risk for cancer. But if you have a family history of breast problems, your doctor or nurse might give you a breast exam during your annual checkup.
Mammograms (an X-ray of the breast) are not used routinely in teens because:
Breast changes are a normal part of growing up and nothing to be scared of. Even if you are deemed “high risk,” the chance of developing breast cancer as a teen is very rare. The survival rate for breast cancer in teens is also extremely high, and multiple treatments are available.
Breast cancer in teens is incredibly rare, a literal one in a million chance.
Breast changes are part of your development as a teenage girl and may cause concern if you are unsure what “normal” feels like. Talk to a woman you trust for reassurance about breast changes related to hormones and puberty. They will be able to put your mind at ease.
Normal breast tissue can feel lumpy, and at times you may feel a firm bump or nodule in your breast that seems a little different. Most of the time, these lumps are nothing to worry about.
Researchers estimate that the five-year relative survival rate for 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States is around 85%. This means that they’re 85% as likely to live another five years as 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States without breast cancer.
It’s good to get used to the way your breasts normally look and feel. When you check your breasts, you’re looking for a change in breast shape or texture, a new lump, or other significant change.