Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, preceded only by lung cancer. It is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer that affects about 1 in 8 (12 percent) women in the U.S.
Isabelle Mercier, PhD, a research assistant professor at University of the Sciences has come up with a list of symptoms to watch out for. She wants college going young women to take special note as it is generally believed that this disease only strikes older women.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, younger women are generally not at risk for breast cancer because only 5 percent of all cases occur in women aged under 40. However, breast cancer can strike at any age and all women need to be aware of its potential risk factors to prevent the disease.
"Unfortunately, college-age women generally do not consider themselves at risk for breast cancer," Mercier said in an official statement. "However, there are several risk factors that contribute to the development of breast cancer that need to be understood early in life to prevent the development of breast cancer down the road."
Mercier predicts more than 230,000 new cases of persistent breast cancer to be diagnosed in the country by the end of 2013 and approximately 40,000 individuals are estimated not to survive.
Mercier has come up with some basic precautions that yound women can take to avoid the risk. She said that women in their 20s need to keep informed about the risk factors associated with breast cancer.
Women have the highest risk of developing breast cancer if the disease runs in the family, particularly in a mother or sister. Genetic testing is recommended for young women to know about the existence of cancer cells in their body.
Next to the family history, Obesity is the second factor responsible for causing breast cancer. Around 20 percent of cancer-related deaths have occurred due to obesity. Fat cells create cancer-friendly environment, thereby increasing the risk.
Women are required to exercise a minimum of 2.5 hours per week in, any moderate-intensity activity like brisk walking can be done. It can help in reducing the risk of breast cancer by 18 percent.
According to a recent study from Washington University School of Medicine, the more alcohol women drink before motherhood, the greater the risk of future breast cancer.
"More and more heavy drinking is occurring on college campuses and during adolescence, and not enough people are considering future risk. But, according to our research, the lesson is clear: If a female averages a drink per day between her first period and her first full-term pregnancy, she increases her risk of breast cancer by 11 percent," said co-author Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, associate director for cancer prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, in an official statement.
According to Cancer Research UK, people are more likely to survive cancer if it's spotted at an early stage. Echoing the same sentiments, Mercier has suggested young women visit their primary care doctors every year for clinical breast exams. They are also advised to conduct self-examinations throughout the year.
Lastly, women have an increased risk of developing breast cancer if they become smokers early in life. Smoking leads to high levels of estrogen which upsets the endocrine signaling in women and contributes to the development of these tumors.
