Breast & Ovarian Health

As a young woman, you might think of cancer as an older woman’s worry. When you’re young, you feel energetic and resilient—and it’s true: our moms and aunts do face a higher risk. But, we all need to know about cancer, especially breast and ovarian cancer. While rare, these cancers can and do affect young women. Inform yourself, take control of your health, and take steps to keep yourself healthy.

What is Cancer?

When some of the cells in your body grow and divide without stopping, they can cause cancer. This happens when the genes that control cells get damaged. We call this damage to a gene a “mutation.” When mutations occur in certain genes, cells don’t die when they should, and new cells form when we don’t need them. The cells may then grow out of control, causing cancer.

Breast Cancer is one of the leading cancer diagnoses in women and the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 54. One in eight women faces a lifetime risk of breast cancer. This cancer often runs in families.

Ovarian cancer, while far less common than breast cancer, still affects many women: one in 67 women faces a lifetime risk. The deadliest gynecological cancer in women, ovarian cancer is often called “the silent killer,” because its symptoms can be very difficult to detect. As a result, only about 19% are caught before the cancer spreads. Breast and ovarian cancer are often linked in families, with similar mutations associated with both cancers. That’s why it’s important to learn about both.

Not Our Mothers’ Diagnosis

While breast and ovarian cancer is far less common in young women, we also face unique challenges when diagnosed:

• Because of low awareness of the risks—even among doctors—young women are often diagnosed at a later stage.
• These rare diagnoses can be especially shocking and isolating for young women.
• While treatment is often very effective, young women tend to face a poorer prognosis than older women.
• Young women face unique concerns about fertility, body image, the possibility of early menopause, and financial stability.

Take Action

The good news is that you can take proactive steps to protect your health. When detected and treated early, the five-year survival rates are greater than 90% for both of these cancers. You have the power to reduce your risk and find cancer early.

The best way to reduce your risk for breast or ovarian cancer—or find it before it becomes life threatening—is to start paying attention right now. Take control of your long-term health starting today! Learn more about risk reduction and early detection and understand your personal risks for breast and ovarian cancer.

Learn more about risk reduction and early detection and understand your personal risks for breast and ovarian cancer.

Attend A Workshop

Learn even more about risk reduction and early detection with our Breast/Ovarian Health 101 Educational Workshops. These one-hour, interactive workshops help young women like you understand what these cancers are, your lifetime risk, and how to be proactive with your health. Check our events listing for a workshop in your community.

Workshops include:

• A medical professional’s presentation
• Perspectives from a high-risk young woman
• Question and answer session
• Pink cupcake networking reception

Medical professionals and volunteers can also host workshops. Email MaryKate@BeBrightPink.org to get started!

Our Workshop Kit includes:

• User Manual
• Medical Professional Presentation Kit
• Breast/Ovarian Health 101 DVD