Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women, although men can develop it too. Especially as women age, their chances of developing breast cancer increase. One in eight women may eventually develop some form of breast cancer.
After the age of 40, women typically have to undergo regular mammogram screenings. Those with irregularities during that imaging testing process may need to undergo secondary testing involving ultrasounds and even surgical biopsies.
When caught in the early stages before it metastasizes or spreads to other tissue, breast cancer is often relatively treatable. Long gone are the days when the death rate for breast cancer was quite high. Currently, many women achieve remission with appropriate treatment and may remain cancer-free for decades afterward. Unfortunately, not all women receive the same support and consideration from medical professionals.
Some doctors assume there is a minimum age for breast cancer
When looking at statistics regarding the diagnosis of breast cancer, there is a clear trend. The average age of diagnosis is 62. Only 9% of all cases involve women under the age of 45. That being said, girls in their teens and young women in their twenties sometimes develop breast cancer.
Factors including chemical exposure and family history may significantly increase an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer. Women of all ages may benefit from conducting regular self-exams if only to understand the texture and shape of their breasts so that they can notice abnormalities as they grow and their tissue changes.
Younger women who are not yet 40 years old may find that doctors do not listen to their self-reported symptoms or do not screen them properly with serious consequences. Physicians may assume that the woman has exaggerated her symptoms.
Unfortunately, bias in medical professionals may lead to a doctor turning a woman away without recommending additional screening. By the time another medical professional takes her complaints seriously, the cancer may have progressed to a later stage that is harder to treat. She may face higher treatment costs and much more invasive care requirements.
Diagnostic errors are a common and tragic form of medical malpractice. Getting help when reviewing the circumstances surrounding a recent diagnosis or lack thereof can help people evaluate their options for holding a negligent health care professional accountable.