Risks and Prevention: Understanding Breast Cancer

Mahima was a 30 something young corporate achiever, who lived life on her own terms. She worked in a start-up, worked out 5 times a week in a city gym, and partied hard every Saturday. For the past couple of months, Mahima was worried about a lump that she found on her breast. She had gotten a few tests done, but had stayed away from getting a biopsy because mentally she wasn’t there yet.

Mahima isn’t alone. There are scores of young women with lumps on their breasts, who are at risk of being affected by breast cancer despite the belief that it primarily affects older women. One of the most common myths is that only older women are at risk of developing breast cancer. Reality is quite different, however, where a number of younger women are diagnosed with this condition.

In countries like the US, UK and some parts of Europe, it is usually observed that women who are 50 years and older are most affected by breast cancer age risk. That age group constitutes the majority of breast cancer in those regions.

This statistic in itself should be a wake up call to all women, irrespective of age. Does breast cancer only affect older women? Read on and find out.

Delayed Bearing of Children or Fewer Children

We are in an age when most women want to delay marriage and childbirth, often bearing children much later in life or choosing to go childless. Having fewer children or delaying pregnancy beyond 30 years of age is linked with an increased incidence of breast cancer. Early childbirth and breastfeeding are protective factors for breast cancer.

Women who bear children later in life experience longer periods of exposure to estrogen and progesterone, hormones that can stimulate breast tissue growth, thus increasing the risk of cancer.

Not Enough Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding prevents breast cancer in young adults. However, today, in urban India, most women are returning to work a few weeks after childbirth, which means breastfeeding duration might be short or inadequate, thereby increasing the risk of breast cancer.

The longer a woman breastfeeds the more she is protected against breast cancer. Breastfeeding also helps to shed cells in breast tissue, bringing down the likelihood of mutations that can result in cancer.

Increased Use of Hormonal Contraceptives

Using birth control contraceptives, which are basically hormonal contraceptives, is increasing among young women in India. Hormonal contraceptives are rich in estrogen, which can stimulate breast tissue, and increase the likelihood of developing cancer, especially if used for a long time.

This risk is high for women who start using hormonal contraceptives at a younger age, using them for many years. Not using hormonal contraceptives reduces the breast cancer risk factor by age.

Pollution

Women living in urban areas in India are exposed to increasing levels of environmental pollutants like water and air contamination. According to research exposure to environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can boost the risk of developing breast cancer.

In India, urban areas face a lot of air and water pollution which are loaded with harmful chemicals and endocrine disruptors like pesticides, heavy metals and more that can interfere with hormone regulation and increase oxidative stress. All this can lead to early onset breast cancer.

Lazy Lifestyles and Diet

Women in India are adopting sedentary lifestyles thanks to urbanisation, increased screen time and reduced physical activity. Moreso unhealthy dietary habits including the consumption of processed foods and high-fat diets, result in obesity and an increased incidence of breast cancer.

Lack of exercise results in weight gain and obesity, resulting in higher estrogen levels. Also physical inactivity affects immune function.

Genetic Factors and Family History

The role of genetic predisposition in breast cancer risk cannot be discounted. In India, many younger women with a family history of breast cancer might not want early screening or genetic counselling, thereby increasing their risk.

Mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. In India, a lot of young women are ignorant of their family history or genetic predisposition.

Limited Awareness and Late Diagnosis

There is still a distinct lack of awareness among younger women regarding the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, like lumps, changes in breast shape or skin changes.

Cultural stigmas, fear or a lack of knowledge regarding self-examination and the vitality of regular screenings contribute to this issue.

In conclusion, whether it is pollution, limited awareness and diagnosis, genetic factors, not enough breastfeeding, delayed childbirth, and what not, younger women are increasingly at risk of contracting breast cancer. So if you notice a lump in your breast, do get an ultrasound or a biopsy. You never know what it can be.