While men face one kind of cancer, breast cancer major problem for women

The fear that testicular cancer causes in males is parallel to the threat of breast cancer in women – and for good reason. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among females and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, placing just below lung cancer.

While the chance of college-age women developing breast cancer is low, twenty-somethings should begin the lifelong habit of performing breast self-exams, said Dr. William Carson, associate professor of surgery at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital.

“The vast majority of lumps in college women are benign,” Carson said. “The chances of it being cancerous are very small, but not zero.”

Carson said the majority of young breast cancer patients usually develop the disease because of a strong family history, but even those women with a strong family history are unlikely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s.

Still, the ACS recommends a woman to administer monthly breast self-exams beginning at age 20. An annual exam from a health professional should also be a part of a young woman’s routine.

“During her breast self-exam, a woman should be checking for new lumps that are persistent and hard,” Carson said. A cancerous lump is usually painless with uneven edges.

Other signs of breast cancer include a swelling in part of the breast, skin irritation, nipple pain and a lump in the underarm area.

Even if a new lump and other symptoms are detected, Carson said it is still unlikely a college-age woman has breast cancer.

“There is a large chance that it is only a cyst,” he said.

Kathleen Gough, cancer control director for the Franklin County Unit of the ACS, said the organization is active in its quest to provide young women with information on how to correctly perform breast self-exams.

“The ACS offers shower cards that explain how to do it and how often,” Gough said. These cards are similar to the ones given to men detailing testicular self-exams. The ACS also runs a display at COSI that details how to perform breast self-exams.