Achi news desk-
A new study from the University of Ottawa shows that more women under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The research, led by Dr Jean Seely, was published in the Journal of the Canadian Society of Radiologists. The report looks at breast cancer cases over 35 years to shed light on detection in Canada.
Using data from the National Cancer Reporting System, the Canadian Cancer Registry and Statistics Canada, the team looked at all women between the ages of 20 and 54 who were diagnosed with breast cancer.
The research shows over the decades that the diagnosis of cancer has been increasing and that is not because of more screening.
“This is not related to screening, as we do not perform screening for women under 40, except for extremely high-risk women in less than 5 percent of women,” Seely told CityNews Ottawa in an email. “This is due to other factors, which are not yet known.”
For Chelsea Bland, her experience of being diagnosed at age 28 began with a self-exam when she discovered a lump.
Fortunately, this led to screening which found the diagnosis, as she has now been cancer free for two years. From her experience, she started a group in Ottawa that provides peer support for younger women with breast cancer.
“In my support group, I’ve heard the same story over and over again,” Chelsea said. “Young women are not taken seriously after finding a lump because they are told they are too young for breast cancer.”
Breast cancer rates are increasing
According to the study, for women in their 20s, there were 3.9 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 between 1984 and 1988. Compared to 5.7 cases per 100,000 between 2015 and 2019.
This, according to the research, is an increase of 45.5 per cent.
For women in their 30s, there were 37.7 cases per 100,000 people between 1984 and 1988 compared to 42.4 cases between 2015 and 2019 – an increase of 12.5 per cent.
There were 127.8 cases per 100,000 for women in their 40s between 1984 and 1988, compared to 139.4 cases between 2015 and 2019. According to the study, this is an increase of 9.1 percent.
The findings show the importance of targeting younger women in breast cancer screening as most efforts focus on women over 50, Seely said in a press release.
“We need to adapt our strategies and policies to reflect these changing trends, ensuring that all women, regardless of age, have access to the information and resources they need to identify and fight against this disease,” he said.
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The post Breast cancer rates rise in younger women: Study – CityNews Ottawa appeared first on Canada News Media.
