Breast Cancer Affects Younger Adults, Too

Liv Health Guide

Liv Hospital Gaziantep

MD. Mustafa Yiğit

Emergency Department Clinic

03 September 2019

Article Content

Mean age of breast cancer incidence is decreasing

Why did breast cancer become prevalent under the age of 50?

Annual mammography after the age of 40

Factors Increasing Breast Cancer Risk

Although breast cancer is most common in women between the ages of 50-70, there is risk at any age, as with all other cancer types. Breast cancer is known as a disease seen in post-menopausal women, however, Liv Hospital Ulus Breast Cancer Surgeon Prof. Dr. Ertugrul Gazioglu stated that the age range has decreased these past two decades and that breast cancer is now seen in young women, as well. Prof. Dr. Ertugrul Gazioglu said “In recent years, the mean age of breast cancer patients is shifting towards younger population. The breast cancer incidence in young women has increased in countries like Turkey in terms of social, cultural and economical aspects”. Prof. Dr. Ertugrul Gazioglu explained breast cancer.
In Turkey, one in every twelve women suffers from breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide and is the number one cause of cancer related deaths. In the past 50 years, the incidence of breast cancer has doubled globally. Fifty years ago, the incidence of breast cancer was one in 20 women in the socioeconomically developed Western countries, but now one in every 8 women suffers from it. This rate is increasing in our country as well. In Turkey, one in every twelve women suffers from breast cancer in their lifetime.

Mean age of breast cancer incidence is decreasing

In the United States and Europe, only 7-8% of all breast cancer cases are below 40 years of age, however, in our country, 20% of all breast cancer patients are 40 or younger in our country. And almost half of the breast cancer patients in our country are younger than 50 years of age.

Why did breast cancer become prevalent under the age of 50?

Increased consumption of industrial and processed food
Use of unnecessary and uncontrolled hormone, drugs and similar products
Stressful work life of young women
Not giving birth; giving birth at a young age, no breastfeeding

Annual mammography after the age of 40

World Health Organization recommends annual mammography screening after the age of 40 for healthy women without any complaints. However, young women who have breast cancer history in their family should have breast examination once in every three years and breast ultrasonography, if needed, starting from puberty.

Factors Increasing Breast Cancer Risk

Being female
50-70 years of age and post-menopausal period
Breast cancer history in the family
(Closer relatives and higher number of breast cancer cases leads to higher risk)
Previous breast cancer presence
Early menstruation onset, late menopause
Not giving birth
Giving first birth after the age of 30
Giving birth but not breastfeeding the infant
Long-term hormone therapy
Stressful environment of modern city life
Overweight: Gaining weight especially after menopause and excess consumption of food rich in saturated fats
Lack of physical activity

* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .