Breast Cancer: Is 13 too young for someone to get breast cancer

Is 13 too young for someone to get breast cancer?
What ages are normal and is it possible to get it at 13? what are some symptoms of breast cancer?
Cancer - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
This is not a normal age for breast cancer, but I have heard of women getting tumors in their teens and 20s. If you do regular breast exams on yourself, and find something that is not normally there, go see a doctor. ALot of times, women are asymptomatic until the cancer is in advanced stages, and you (and any woman) want to avoid this. self-breast exams can help. If its a concern, please see a doctor. Again, just because its not common does not mean its not possible. Better to be safe then sorry.
2 :
It's not impossible but very very rare. The thought is that breast cancer takes a long time to develop, like 10-20 years, before it is even detectable. At 13 you just haven't had boobs for very long. 8^) The most common symptom is a lump. You can do self-examination, there are many websites on this, just Google 'breast self-examination'. A doctor can find it even easier because he knows what he's looking for. If you have a suspicious lump, you should definitely get it checked out, because the earlier it's found the easier it is to treat. Another symptom is an 'inverted' nipple, one that goes in instead of out. But don't worry. At that age it's almost certainly not breast cancer.
3 :
It's possible but not probable. Only 7% of Americans under 40 get it. The symptoms are: A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue (If you haven't been taught how to do breast exams you cannot detect a lump properly.) Bloody discharge from the nipple Change in the size or shape of a breast (Though this is for when you stop growing and aren't pregnant) Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling (Not a significant sign but it is helpful if other troubling signs are present) Inverted nipple Peeling or flaking of the nipple skin (This is actually extremely common. Unless you experience a lump or bleeding this isn't a problem) Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange (This could also be a sign of a rash) The only symptoms to worry about is the lump and bleeding. The other symptoms are minor compared to those and can happen for other reasons than breast cancer.
4 :
As is often the case with cancer . . at 13 you are asking the wrong question about cancer and people will respond saying that young teens do not or rarely get breast cancer . . and the reason is because it is a disease of older women. What you are not hearing however is that it is still possible for a 13 year old to have lumps in the chest wall or breast area and for it to be cancer but it is not called 'breast cancer' . . in these instances it is a childhood cancer usually a rhabdomyosarcoma which is 'common' in children, teens, and young adults. Sometimes I wish there were a separate section for Childhood and Young Adult cancers . . cancer is so often age specific and it is confusing for those who do not understand this . . . you are hearing all the breast cancer awareness stories on television or from breast cancer groups . . but what they never tell you is that it is a disease that affects older women and not young girls. That does not mean, however, that a 13 year old will never get a LUMP in the chest or breast area . . just that it is probably not what is considered breast cancer . . doesn't mean it isn't another type of malignancy. Adding to the confusion is that young girls and boys too have a normal type of development in the breast called ' breast buds' that shows up during puberty . . this is confusing to young girls who automatically think it is 'breast cancer'. So . .what to do . . girls need to be aware that any unexplained painless lump over 2cm that seems to be growing and located anywhere on the body, including the chest should be examined by a doctor. 13 may be 'too young' to get an adult breast cancer . . but it is not too young to develop Rhabdomyosarcoma or other types of cancer that may have metastaszied to the breast. So, never ignore an unexplained lump or bump that seems to be growing.
5 :
The chances of a 13 year old getting breast cancer are as close to zero as makes almost no difference. It would make worldwide headline news. I agree with Panda that a section for childhood and young people's cancers would be useful in YA; but it wouldn't stop young girls too young to have breast cancer being scared silly by all the half-truths and not-quite-truths they hear in the name of breast cancer awareness. 'Can'tthink of a name', breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s, let alone young teens; and fewer than 0.1% of those diagnosed are under 30. In fact only 5% are under 40. Most (80%) are over 50. I was classed as 'young' when I was diagnosed with breast cancer; I was 50. At 13 your breasts are still growing and developing and any changes you notice are almost certainly normal hormonal development. There are stmptoms of possible breast cancer, but at 13 you don't need to know them. There is no need at all to be doing breast self-examinations at your age; it will tell you nothing and may worry you unnecessarily. The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self examination at no younger than 20. Before that it's pointless; firstly because there are so many hormonal changes that there is no 'normal' - and self examination is about a woman knowing what's normal for her and reporting any changes. And secondly because the chance of breast cancer is almost nil. Please talk to your mother about any worries you have about your breasts. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, talk to youe school nurse; she will be used to girls having worries like this, and will be able to reassure you

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Is 13 too young for someone to get breast cancer