Stupid question I know but can a 13 yr old get breast cancer?
Posted on Feb 07, 2010 under breast cancer |I have a feeling that the answer is yes. My grandma had breast cancer. i don’t know about others in her family (she was adopted so we don’t know much about medical history on her side of the family). I have a little bit of nipple discharge. Not a lot though according to this website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nipple-discharge/MY00467/DSECTION=causes nipple discharge can be normal. I don’t get discharge if I squeeze the breast or nipple. It just kind of occurs on its own. When it says ‘lump in your breast’, im not quite sure what they mean by that so I don’t know if I have a lump in my brest. On my left areola the skin is smooth and soft all the way around. On my right areola the top, bottom and right side is smooth and soft as well but on the left side its a little different. It still is soft and smooth. It just feels a little different from the rest. Since all breasts are different could this be normal or a concern?
Thank you for reading, I appreciate your answers!
February 7th, 2010 at 7:21 am
These days you never know
if you have any concerns go get checked out
February 7th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Yes children can be diagnosed with cancer.
teens can be diagnosed with breast cancer.
if you hard or soft lump get it checked out.
could be cancer or could be nothing.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:21 am
The only thing you need to know is that cancer is age specific . . there are hundreds of different types of cancers and the type you are most likely to get rests on your AGE GROUP. There are four distinct age groups which there are biological differences between the types of cancer. There is a whole set of childhood cancers . . . which are predominately cancers of the primitive cells associated with childhood . . there are another whole set of adolescent cancers that occur more commonly in teens than at any other age . . young adults is another age group with cancers more common to that age . . and last . . older adults. Older adults get cancers that are called carcinoma . .located in the breast, colon, and lung - older adults tend to get cancers associated with their organs. Because cancer occurs by age group . . the largest group that has the most cancers and the most common cancers is . . the older adults. All the cancers you ever hear about are for older adults . . including breast cancer. So . . where does that leave you . . at 13 you can develop a childhood type of breast cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma or have metastatic lumps in the breast from another primary site . . but a primary older women breast cancer you would not have. So you are wasting your time reading anything online or anywhere else about breast cancer because it is a disease of OLD people.
If you are concerned about cancer and the types of cancer your age group is more likely to get you can check with the American Society of Clinical Oncologist:
ASCO: Age specific information for cancer
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Coping/Age-Specific+Information
February 7th, 2010 at 7:21 am
The chances of a 13 year old developing breast cancer are as close to zero as makes just about no difference. It’s a disease of ageing, and most people diagnosed with it (80%) are over 50. Only 5% are under 40, fewer than 0.1% are under 3o and it’s almost unknown in under 25s.
Nothing you describe is a symptom of breast cancer. Any changes you notice in your breasts at your age are almost certainly normal hormonal development.
And it is not recommended for girls of your age to do breast self-exams; it will tell you nothing, and may worry you unnecessarily.
The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self-exams at no younger than 20, if then. 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.
Hereditary breast cancer is rare - only 5 - 10% of all breast cancer cases are hereditary. Breast cancer diagnosed after the age of 50 is even less likely to be hereditary
Talk to your mother about this; if you really don’t feel comfortable doing that, talk to your school nurse - she will be used to girls having worries like this and will take you seriously, and will be able to reassure you