Breast cancer: "I'm barely 30 years old."

You're reading this because you just wondered when you last touched your breast. Good. Stay with that thought for a minute.

"Too young" does not exist.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women: approximately one in eight will develop it in her lifetime. A significant proportion of cases occur before the age of 50, sometimes at 30, sometimes even earlier. In young women, it is often discovered later, for a very simple reason: no one thinks about it, neither they nor sometimes even those around them. And men are not spared either (approximately 1 in 100 cases).

If you are 15 years old: a small nodule at this age is almost always benign. But "almost always" can only be verified by showing it to someone.

Three minutes tonight

In front of a mirror, arms at your sides, then raised. Observe: the shape, the size, the skin. Then, with your fingertips flat, gently feel each breast in circles, from the collarbone to just under the breast and down to the armpit. Once a month is sufficient, preferably a few days after your period.

This is what should prompt you to seek medical advice:

• a new lump or hardening, which does not move

• Skin that becomes pitted, reddened, or resembles orange peel

• a retracted nipple, or discharge (especially blood)

• a breast that changes size or shape

• a lump under the armpit

What many people don't know: pain is rarely the first sign. A breast that doesn't hurt isn't necessarily a healthy breast.

Benin, yes. But not always.

The good news first: the vast majority of lumps in the breast are benign (cysts, fibroadenomas, tissue that changes with the menstrual cycle). That's why most examinations end with "it's nothing."

The worst part: "most" doesn't mean "all." And neither you, nor your neighbor, nor the internet can tell the difference by touch. Only an examination can (palpation, ultrasound, sometimes a biopsy).

Do the math: if it's minor, you've lost an hour and gained peace of mind. If it's not, those weeks count.

Who, when, how

Your doctor or midwife can examine your breasts during a routine checkup, starting in your twenties or thirties: just ask, it only takes two minutes. Screening mammograms are generally offered from age 40 to 50, depending on the country, and earlier if the risk is high.

Speak to a professional immediately if a mother, sister, or aunt has had breast or ovarian cancer, especially before the age of 50. In these families, monitoring begins earlier and is done differently.

And now

No need for a pink ribbon. All you need is this: tonight, look at yourself, feel yourself. If anything surprises you, make an appointment for tomorrow, not "after the holidays." And send this message to your mother, your sister, your best friend. When detected early, breast cancer is very often curable. That's exactly why it's better to look for it than to avoid it in your thoughts.

Take care of yourself!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sandra Yene Amougui