Giuliana Rancic revealed today that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
As many of you already know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple years ago (my great aunt also passed away from the disease) and breast cancer awareness and research is very important to me.
One thing Giuliana’s diagnosis reiterated to me was that breast cancer happens to women of all ages. Giuliana is 37 years old and was only diagnosed because a doctor said she needed a mammogram before going though with her third round of in vitro fertilization. She wasn’t even planning on getting her first mammogram until she was 40 (the recommended age).
Giuliana will now undergo surgery and radiation and is expected to be fine, but her diagnosis (and the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month) prompted me to feel the need to spread more awareness about breast cancer through this blog and share some statistics with you guys.
- About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer
- A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer
- About 70 – 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer
- Men can be diagnosed with breast cancer as well and account for 1 percent of all diagnoses
(All statistics are from BreastCancer.org.)
So how can you lower your risk?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Get screened for breast cancer regularly. By getting the necessary exams, you can increase your chances of finding out if you have breast cancer before it reaches a later stage.
- Control your weight and exercise.
- Know your family history of breast cancer.
- Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Some women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT and find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
And you’re never too young to start checking yourself for lumps! My mom found a lump in her breast only from doing a self breast exam and her cancer had already significantly developed from the time she had her annual mammogram a few months prior.
Here is a link to an article detailing how to preform a breast self exam.
Question of the Afternoon
- Has breast cancer affected you or someone close to you?
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My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer last month and starts chemo this week. It’s been incredibly scary. She has yearly mammograms so I’m glad that we caught it when we did, but it’s crazy to think that her tumor got as big as it did in only a year.
Breast cancer took the lives of my grandmother and my high school youth group leader, so it has always been a part of my life in some way and is one of the few things that I am truly passionate about.
Later this month I’m participating in a walk for breast cancer at my state’s capitol building. Also, every year I help raise money on my campus for cancer through Relay for Life.
oh woww Ellen! thanks for sharing that! I hope and pray your mom stays strong and triumphs over this ugly disease! Hang in there~
oh ellen, i’m so sorry to hear this, but know that she can come out on top! i’m not sure whether or not this idea is of interest to you, but my sister and i made my mom a “chemo countdown calendar” which she seemed to really like. she said she felt strong every time she got to cross off one of her chemo dates off the calendar.
ahh thanks for the info Julie! I need to stay in the know not only for myself, but for other women around me!! And I hope Giuliana overcomes this strong! Have a great day <3
Wow, that’s sad news, she’s so young. Good thing they caught it early. i read your previous posts about your mom’s story; very moving & i’m so glad she fought it!
You are so right in that it’s extremely important to talk about screening/prevention, as no one is immune to this cancer (or any cancer). I work as a research assistant for a health research non-profit company, and part of my job requires me to interview people as part of a study going on called health literacy and cancer prevention: do people understand what they hear? it’s interesting because i get to talk to people about breast cancer screening and how well they understand preventive measures.
i learned that there is a drug called tamoxifen that you can take if you have a high risk of getting it (ie someone in your family had it, age, other factors etc). apparently it cuts your risk in half!
Great post. It is so important to be aware of this disease, as it effects so many women. I am actually participating in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk this weekend in Atlanta!
awesome!! good luck! that walk is so amazing. i will NEVER forget when we saw the walkers walk through my hometown the year my mom was diagnosed. there were so many and it was incredibly powerful.
I do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer every year nearly 🙂 It’s an amazing experience!!
I can’t believe she is only 36. You know what’s crazy? I am scared to do self exams because I’m afraid I will find something. I know, it makes no sense. Cancer just freaks me out.
i honestly think that’s normal. when my mom got the breast cancer gene test, we all felt the same way. do we really WANT to know whether she has the gene? (she doesn’t – thank goodness.)
My mom has the gene and I had the test and I have the gene too. I honestly think it’s better knowing because now I’m getting biannual mammorgrams and pelivc ultrasounds for ovarian cancer even though I’m only 25. I’d rather catch the cancer sooner then later.
My mom thankfully never got cancer but she has gotten her ovaries and breasts removed to prevent the chances. I probably will too soon, because as you know, cancer is much worse to deal with.
Brittany-I am the same exact way!!! I always tell myself I’m being irrational bc wouldn’t it be better to find it earlier than later, if there was anything to find?!
Thanks for the reminder, Julie! My mom went for her routine mammo and a lump was found! Although it was malignant, fortunately it was still in the early stages and she got it removed! She is fine now (touchwood) but the scare is always there, and she takes precaution and is on medication to prevent it from coming back! Prevention > cure!
so glad your mom’s lump was safely removed and didn’t spread!
This is a wonderful post–we just had the Strides walk for breast cancer in the NYC area this past weekend, so it’s been on my mind as well.
One of my best friend’s mothers just passed away from aggressive breast cancer (the BRCA mutation) earlier this month. And only three days ago, my roommate’s mother was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
Awareness is so important, for women of all ages! Thanks for this, and I’m so glad again that your mom is such a strong woman–may she stay in good health for a long, long time!
This is always a scary topic! I always try to donate to breast cancer research. They always ask me in my yearly girl appointments if it’s in my family, but being a girl that was adopted at birth I have no clue what my family history is. A mammogram should be part of yearly girl check ups. Breast cancer doesn’t know your age, why put an age on trying to prevent it.
My heart breaks for Giuliana. Going through IVF and now this. She is lucky to have found it so early.
Thanks for sharing this!
Another statistic: 1/3 of all American women who die this year will die from heart disease. That’s about 10-15 times more than will die from breast cancer. Where’s the ribbon for that?
(of course breast cancer, like all forms of cancer, is terrible and gut-wrenching to watch. but so is a sudden fatal heart attack)
so true! all cancers deserve research and awareness.
Well, most research on cancer treatment/prevention is generic.
I’m more concerned about how nobody is concerned about heart disease. 1/3 of all women who will die this year. One. Third. That’s a lot.
if you have links to additional information about prevention, etc. that you’d like to share here, please do so!
Well there’s the NIH stuff:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartdiseasesprevention.html
(exercise! eat well! don’t smoke!)
And for the love of all that is holy, get more AEDs out there:
http://www.cardiacscience.com/assets/012/6382.pdf
And here is a link to the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign, which doesn’t get as much attention as it should…http://www.goredforwomen.org/. Heart disease is the number one disease killer of women. Women tend to not recognize the symptoms or worry about prevention because they are not familiar with the risk.
And your comment about the need for more cancer research in general is very true. Breakthroughs for one type of cancer – for example, leukemia, may be relevant to prostate or breast cancer, as well. Treatments are often shared across different types of cancers…
It’s true…and I do like that Diet Coke cans often feature the Go Red campaign. But this campaign gets so little publicity, which is sad.
Cancer treatment isn’t nearly as specific as people thing. Killing cancerous cells is killing cancerous cells, plain and simple. Delivery mechanisms vary, but that’s about it.
My mother also has breast cancer, we found out exactly one month after my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. She will have her 4th chemo treatment in 2 weeks and is doing awesome! It’s scary how many people are diagnosed with cancer these days. Julie- have you ever considered getting genetic testing done to see if you carry there gene? They asked me about it but i feel like knowing would make me paranoid.
saying prayers for your mom, dad and whole family. i’m glad your mom is doing so well!
as for the gene test, my mom actually had it done, and DIDN’T have it – thank goodness. are you considering it?
I’ve been thinking about it, but i do everything now to prevent it so I think that knowing would make me crazy paranoid, i’ll just make sure to do regular self exams and follow-up with my doctors with any concerns I have. Seeing my parents makes me motivated to live an even healthier life and to enjoy everyday 🙂
i totally understand that. it almost seems like it would cause unnecessary anxiety if you DO have it, since you’re already taking precautions and being smart about self exams.
Hi Brooke (and Julie),
I hope you don’t mind my input on the issue, but I feel obliged to comment as I am actually involved in hereditary cancer research. I work at the Moffitt Cancer Center and my boss is actually a clinical geneticist. Deciding to get genetic testing is a very personal decision and something I would never tell you that you should or should not do. However, if you do have a family history of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer I would strongly recommend considering genetic counseling. In a genetic counseling session, you can learn more about genetic syndromes and discuss your family history to see what your risk are (or are not). At the end of the genetic counseling session, there is no pressure to pursue genetic testing.
There are actually different recommendations for women with a BRCA1/2 mutation (i.ie alternating mammograms and MRIs every 6 months). Additionally, there is an amazing high risk breast cancer screening clinic at Moffitt.
Finally, there are also other hereditary syndromes that increase your risk for cancer, and more than just one test for the breast cancer gene. There is something called BART, which looks for large rearrangements in the breast cancer gene that is not offered to everyone when they have testing. I am not trying to be pushy or convince you at all, I just wanted to let you know that you do always have the option of talking with a genetic counselor if you are worried. I hope what I have said helps someone and prayers to you and family!
thank you so much for this comment, andrea! and for the work you do every day. 🙂
Also, self exams are great to do, but they are not a substitute for age and risk appropriate diagnostic imaging. If you are confirmed as being BRCA positive, a lot of times your insurance will then cover diagnostic MRIs and mammograms even if you are at a young age. Just something to consider if you have a family history with possible BRCA involvement.
My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer as well in her 30s. She’s been in remission for almost 5 years, but it was definitely scary and lucky that she caught it early. My mom’s best friend and her best friend’s mother were also recently diagnosed. I feel like it affects everyone somehow! I love giving my support by doing as many Race for the Cure events that I can! I did several walking ones in college and since then 2 10Ks and a 5K! I love the energy and excitement of everyone.
Thanks for spreading such an important message. It’s scary how age is not really a factor anymore. I read an article the other day in Glamour about a 28 year old being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Thank you for posting this, Julie. <3
I'm often frustrated by the lack of understanding in the medical community on preventative screenings and procedures. Most insurance companies will not cover any type of mammogram unless you are 36 years old. My doctor recommended I start mammograms at 24 because of my family history. I haven't, because I simply cannot afford it.
My grandmother : diagnosed at 50, died at 56
My aunt : diagnosed at 54, had a double mastectomy
My mother : diagnosed at 48, died at 52.
I'm walking a breast cancer awareness 5k this weekend in memory of my mother. It never gets easier, but I'm constantly encouraged that people's enthusiasm to find a cure grows every year 🙂
MUCH LOVE!
oh emily, i am so sorry that breast cancer has affected you and your family so deeply. good luck in the 5k awareness walk this weekend. i’m sure your mom will be watchin over you and walking with you every step of the way.
Emily – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother and grandmother. Do you have health insurance? I do not have breast cancer in my family, but I did have a breast cancer scare myself at just 22 years old. Since then I have had annual ultrasounds to screen for lumps and other types of masses, and have even had two masses removed. My insurance has covered it all (minus co-pays/deductibles), thankfully.
Thank you for your reply!
I just recently switched jobs and health insurance, but my previous one (blue cross) told me I was too young to receive any coverage for a mammogram. My doctor did advise me to gather my mother’s medical records so we can persuade them that it’s “medically necessary.” I’m definitely not giving up! 🙂
Emily,
I’m so sorry to read this 🙁
Do you have health insurance?? If you do, then you should DEFINITELY get BRCA tested. I did a few years ago & my insurance covered the WHOLE test..which is about $4000 because I was able to prove that breast cancer runs in my family (my biological mother & grandmother had it)
Hello Holly!
I actually do have insurance and DID get tested for BRCA! Thankfully I tested negative, but they told me that doesn’t really mean it’s not genetic. Just *those* genes aren’t mutated. The bad side of that whole thing is that it would have helped me prove that getting a mammogram was “medically necessary” at my young age (I was 23 at the time, 27 now). Like I said to Lindsay above – I’m definitely not backing down. It’s too important! 🙂
That is CRAZY that they are trying not to cover you for mammograms…obviously your family history should be enough- it’s so sad how insurance companies really try NOT to cover what really SHOULD be covered.
I also tested for BRCA- I AM positive..which kind of sucks, but thankfully it just makes me even MORE aware to get annual mammograms…and stay alert to any changes.
SO glad you aren’t backing down- that is GREAT! 😀 Too many people just ignore it, when they really did to pay close attention.
I saw Giuliana’s interview on the Today Show this morning and I was not expecting her to announce that at all! My father is a breast cancer survivor. He had a mastectomy over 10 years ago and has been cancer-free ever since. I have been seeing more and more articles on men and breast cancer, but I feel we need to get the word out even more. Thanks for your post!
My aunt (my mom’s sister) was actually diagnosed with breast cancer when she was right around the same age as Giuliana. We were all shocked because she was so young. Luckily she beat it & around 18 years later now she is completely healthy & cancer-free.
My mom has been fortunate enough to not have any breast cancer scares, but my aunt’s diagnosis is a reminder to all of us — my mom, sister & I, and my aunt’s two daughters/my cousins — to always be vigilant with breast health. One of my cousins has talked about wanting to have the breast cancer gene test. While I think awareness is certainly important, that’s something that I personally don’t think I could deal with knowing, simply because I’m sure I would worry obsessively about it.
Love this post Julie! My grandmother was diagnosed with a really bad form of breast cancer several years ago and she is still fighting it. Thankfully she isn’t going through intense rounds of chemo anymore, but she has to take chemo pills every single day. I hope that one day I will be able to do something for women with breast cancer as an occupational therapist!
My sister-in-law was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer two years ago when she was only 32. Since then I have also had 2 friends in their mid-20s also diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer (one had a previous family history, one did not).
I am now 22 and I am a huge advocate for early age screenings. Of course there are other older women I know who have been through the same physical and emotional battle, and while everyone I know who has been diagnosed has been fortunate enough to have beaten cancer, gone into remission, or caught it early enough to take every precautionary step I recognize the importance of taking the time to get checked.
To cancer 32 is not too young, or 25, or even 24. Perhaps it’s the major medical advances that we can now detect cancer so early that younger and younger people are being diagnosed, but I really just wanted to say from the bottom of my heart to all you twenty-somethings that it is never too early to pay attention, take action, and get screened. It could save your life.
I hope in my lifetime they discover a cure for cancer! My mom and grandma both had breast cancer! Happy to say both are survivors but we have lost some family and close family friends to other forms of cancer! It always lingers in the back of my mind if I will get breast cancer and I wonder if I will be able to handle it as well as my mother and grandmother did, they stayed so positive the entire time, I hope I can do the same if it happens to me.
This was a great post! My mom found a lump in her breast when she was the same age I am now (24) and had it removed. It was thankfully benign for her, but she’s always been on my case about “checking my girls” every month, haha! And I’ve have had quite a few patients who have – whether they were fresh post-op from a mastectomy, or were going through chemo. I think it’s so important for us ladies to be aware that it can affect young and old… And I really like that you reminded us of breast self exams! You go girl!!
I think the low number could be due to men (or their doctors) not thinking they’re even able to get breast cancer, therefore they don’t self-check and can lead to it being undetected. I bet if breast exams were done on a regular basis for men, the numbers would be higher (sadly, for women too!).
My hub’s mom lost a breast to cancer. She did chemo and is doing great now.
I always wonder if breast size has anything to do with statistics because the men’s statistics are so low.
most research i’ve read says that breast size doesn’t matter, but breast density does!
Great post.. I had a close family friend who beat breast cancer, as well as a cousin. My cousin is male, also, and many people don’t realize men can get breast cancer.
If you haven’t seen the very powerful and moving moving “Five” that primiered on Lifetime yet, I highly recommend you do so. It is very eye-opening and provides insight into this disease that affects women of all ages, backgrounds, etc.
Cancer is such a scary thing. Someone I know is 24 and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She has been a fighter and everything is looking good for her but it is so scary when it hits so close to home! And especially when it happens to someone your own age!
that is so scary. i’m so glad she’s fighting it and doing well.
I’m so glad you dedicated a post to this incredibly important topic. My aunt passed away at 42 from breast cancer, leaving three young daughters behind. It was (and still is) completely devastating and a constant reminder that we need to do everything in our power to work at finding a cure for this horrible disease. Right now I work in a breast cancer research lab, trying to find ways to combat the deleterious effects of chemotherapy. It’s very hard work but also very rewarding and posts like this remind me why I come into work everyday. Thanks Julie!
thank you for the work you do every day, jocelyn!
It is definitely something we all need to be aware of! It is something that SOME of us can prevent (not all), so it is important to keep on, keeping on with those healthy habits. And to of course take preventive measures.
My heart goes out to all who suffer–and I am amazed by the strength of so many to fight and be happy while fighting!
Great post! My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, and underwent a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation, and most recently, reconstructive surgery. She is doing great now, thankfully.
so glad to hear that 🙂
Though my aunt was the first person I ever knew with breast cancer, the real shocker of my life was when my best friend was diagnosed last year at 24!! Luckily, her father’s a doctor so she’s always been very on top of regular exams and BSEs and caught it early. It was a very aggressive type and she ended up getting a double mastectomy to prevent it returning. (in her words) – “Bonus, now I got some new boobies!” and “when you have short hair from chemo, everyone thinks you’re a model.” lol
Clearly from those two statements, she’s had an incredibly positive and upbeat attitude the whole time, though, and didn’t even miss a semester of optometry school. Basically, she’s my idol.
she sounds like an amazing person!
A friend of mine from college was at high risk for breast cancer (her mother had breast cancer twice and her grandmother had passed away from breast cancer). She was proactive with her health and got tested for the breast cancer gene, tested positive, and decided the best course of action for herself was a preventative mastectomy. After her personal experience, she founded Bright Pink which is an amazing organization geared towards young women. It encourages women to be proactive about their health and offers resouces and a sense of community.
http://brightpink.org
thank you for sharing the link, krysta!
WOW… this is pretty crazy, especially since my sister was diagnosed this year at 36 years old as well.
to spread awareness, she has told me to tell every female I know to get a mammogram as early as your insurance will pay for it. there’s no such thing as being too safe.
My maternal grandmother is a breast cancer survivor and my aunt is also a breast cancer survivor although she had something called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC
I was so sad when I read that this morning. Also because I know that she has been trying so hard to have a child. I love her and Bill. 😀 My great grandmother had breast cancer when she was 85. She had a double masectomy and called it a day. She died at 99.5 years old.
i’m so glad your grandmother lived such a long life!
my mother also had breast cancer and I’m so grateful she’s been cancer free to 10 years. This month always remind me of that and how I need to be careful myself.
that is wonderful news!!!
I am so happy to see a Breast Cancer Awareness post. I lost an aunt, experienced another aunt go through cancer treatment twice, and know the impact it can have.
While I do not carry the “gene” (my mother does not either), I cannot help but worry that I need to begin getting tested. My mom and I have cystic breast (lumps) that are just fibrous, however, you can never be too cautious. I suggest everyone who has a family history consider getting an early mammogram. I think I am going to do this within the next few years.
Wow… I hadn’t heard about Guiliana yet. Thanks so much for spreading awareness for this. 1 in 8 is a huge percentage of women…. such a scary diagnosis. Both of my 35 yr old (twin) cousins have breast cancer and we really do need to spread awareness. My cousin first noticed her on self exam.
Way to go on supporting breast cancer (I assume that was Susan G Koman Race for the Cure?). Can’t wait to do a run when the race comes here!
yes! it was the 10k in st. pete, fla. this year. i love those races!
Yep – my gran died from it when I was about 4 years old. You’re so right that it’s never too early to be screened. I just had a doctor’s appointment today – it was LONG overdue, but I think part of being a responsible adult means taking responsibility for your health too. Great reminder Julie, and I hope your mom is doing well! 🙂
This may be way too personal, so feel free to not answer..but just wondering if you have gotten BRCA testing done yet?? I had mine done about 2 years ago- sadly I AM positive, but now I’m just even more aware..& go for mammograms, even though I’m only 24.
Oh, and just read that someone else asked above me & you said you have not had it since your Mom did not have it. I believe that you could still have it though- I’m not 100% sure, but I would definitely check into it…especially since insurance will cover it with proof of your Mom’s cancer.
yes, i think i still could. it’s definitely something i’m interested in having done! i think it’s great that you’re being so proactive with exams, holly. 🙂 and thank you also for your comment the other day. it made me smile. 🙂
If you ever consider doing it- I have an AWESOME blood doctor (don’t know the ‘technical term- ha!) here in Orlando that you could go to, if you wanted to make the drive. She is one of the sweetest doctors that I have ever met- super comforting & VERY knowledgeable. She made me get genetic counseling before taking the test (which I was glad she did)& answered all of my questions after I got the positve results & was just SO nice about the whole thing. Just a heads up 🙂
thanks so much, holly!!
My grandma died of breast cancer 6 months to the day before I was born so I never got to meet her. She was 68 years old at the time and had battled the disease for 13 years (they didn’t know then what they know now). I know it is part of my family genealogy so my mother (and soon myself) gets a mammogram every year.
One of my friends, Dani, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 24 years old. She lived for 6 months before she passed away. It hit me so hard because I really never thought of someone my age getting breast cancer, let alone not surviving it. I lost a very dear friend.
Catching it early is critical. I’m glad your mom is doing well and thank you for writing this post, those facts are some that everyone should know. It’s never too early to start checking yourself.
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer my first year of college. She had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo and has been cancer free for close to 16 years now. I am 35 and just got my first mammogram due to my family history and it was clear. I was also tested for the “breast cancer gene” and found out that I do not have it. While the mammogram and genetic testing results were both good news, I still do my self exams every couple of months. It’s important to stay vigilant and realize that while our doctors are there to advise us, we know our own bodies best and have to take responsibility for checking in and getting anything suspiscious checked out.
i’m so glad your mom is now cancer free. hoping she (and you!!) remain cancer free!
Breast cancer has not affected anyone I know, but cancer in general has. It’s definitely something to be aware of and do the best we can as individuals to help prevent getting it (however, no amount of prevention is guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot!). 🙂
I heard about this about 10 minutes before I read your post. I hope she’s able to get through this. My favorite teacher I ever had got breast cancer that went into remission and then spread and eventually killed her three years later. She had just had her first child. It’s still such a difficult thing to comprehend.
that is so devastating. i’m so sorry. it sounds like her child will have a lot of wonderful things to learn about her mother since she was such a great teacher.
This was such a good post. Breast cancer awareness is such a big deal and it is important we pass that on! My godmother died of breast cancer when I was 16… she was like a second mother to me and that was really hard for me!
I was about to say I didn’t know anyone affected by it, but then I remembered a few years ago a girl I went to school with was diagnosed with breast cancer. More proof that it is not some “old woman’s” disease. It really can affect anyone, even men.
Thank-you so much for posting this. I am guilty of not being consistent with my exams, and reminders like this drive home the point.
The link is also very helpful!
I’m so glad your Mom is doing well – what a great example 🙂
My heart just sank. I’ve watched the show Giuliana & Bill for years now and saw them struggle with trying to have a baby over and over. Now this…:(
Thank you so much for doing this post, Julie. What’s crazy is that 5 minutes ago, my dad and I got back from lunch together and we were JUST talking about how drinking alcohol can raise the risk of breast cancer. It’s so important to be aware, and remind our mothers/sisters/aunts/friends to be aware too!
Thanks for this post!
Breast cancer is something that I think about on a daily basis. My grandmother passed away 8 years ago from breast cancer. While we weren’t as fortunate as others to have my grandmother survive her battle, we definitely try to help others as much as possible.
I hope and pray that Giuliana Rancic stays strong!
I literally ask my mom all the time why is the recommended age 40. If anyone can get it breast cancer, I think everyone should have to get mammograms! I’m sure many girls and women don’t do self checks and it is definitely something that people need to know about.
It is not recommended for women younger than 40 to have regular mammograms for many reason. Among those are the exposure to radiation and difficulty of reading or interpretation as breast of younger women are more fibrous.
The best thing you can do for yourself is perform regular self examinations.
Oh, I had no idea. I was always curious. Thank you for clearing that up for me.
My mother was diagnosed at 42 yrs. old with breast cancer. She found the lump thru self examination. CURRENTLY I have 6 friends from work who are battling breast cancer ( some of who are forty only). Self exam is very important. Hopefully your mom is doing well. Thanks for the post.