Melissa Donat is the Cancer Education & Early Detection (NJCEED) Program Administrator at Women’s Health & Counseling Center (WHCC).  For more information call 908-526-2335 X119.

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How young is too young?:

What every young woman should know about breast cancer

Appeared Sunday, October 7, 2007

Recently, I stumbled across a magazine article that gave a testimony of a breast cancer survivor.

To my astonishment, the woman was only 24 years of age. The lump was discovered during a routine gynecological exam. The woman wrote that she had not taken her doctor seriously because she felt that it was absurd that she would have breast cancer concerns at that age and she figured that the “alleged lump” would just go away.

Needless to say, the woman ignored her doctor’s recommendation for further testing. It wasn’t until two years later when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that she decided to get her breast re-examined.  At that point, the size of the lump had increased and a lumpectomy was performed.

I bring you this testimony as a reminder of the significance of early detection. Often enough we let the fear of knowing that a problem could exist stray us away from obtaining the necessary preventative measures. We give ourselves poor excuses such as “Oh I’m too busy, I don’t have time to get a mammography” or better yet like the woman in this testimony we tell ourselves that we’re too young or its too soon to worry about breast cancer. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in American women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Although it is recommended that women age 40 or older receive an annual mammogram it does not mean that women under 40 should rule out concerns of breast health.

I am not suggesting that all 20 year olds go run out and get a mammogram but what I am suggesting is that all women begin to educate themselves about breast health.

Changing your lifestyle or eating habit (regular exercise and a healthy diet) can be protective measures against cancer. As well as, monthly Breast Self Exams (BSE), and Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) performed by your doctor or nurse.  

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is NO CURE for breast cancer and with that said; I would like to remind you all that “Early Detection is the Best Protection” and I challenge our younger generation to begin to educate and make themselves aware of breast health.  

Early detection can save your life.  But what if you have no insurance at all?  No fear, you too can benefit from early detection. 

The New Jersey Cancer Education & Early Detection Program (NJCEED) provides free breast cancer screenings to financially-eligible women and men who are under/uninsured.  These screenings are provided at Women’s Health & Counseling Center (WHCC) in Somerset County, as well as other hospitals and agencies throughout each County.

In an effort to raise awareness about Breast Cancer, NJCEED will be continuing the breast cancer awareness campaign, “Paint the State Pink”.

Locally, NJCEED of Somerset County will be hosting a ceremony on the steps of the historic courthouse in Somerville in observance of the month. 

For further information on this event or the NJCEED program, please contact WHCC at 908-526-2335 X119 or visit www.womenandhealth.org.

For further information on Breast Cancer:

American Cancer Society (ACS) at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org

Young Survival Coalition www.youngsurvival.org