Youngest Breast Cancer Survivor: Kentucky College Student, 21, Finds Unusual Lump– What’s Behind The Rise In Young People Getting Cancer?

Her story also reminds us how a recent study published in JAMA Network Open revealed a growing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50 from the year 2000 to 2019. The study, which involved more than 215,000 women from diverse backgrounds, also found that the number of women diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) at stage 1 and stage 4 breast cancer also saw an increase.

“The steady rise in young-onset cancer among multiple tumor types is highly concerning and will significantly impact people and society in significant ways if not reversed,” Dr. Kimmie Ng, Associate Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, previously told SurvivorNet.

“Research into the underlying cause of this rising trend is of utmost importance for prevention, early detection, and treatment.”

As for Thomas, eight months prior to her diagnosis was when she first noticed an unusual lump in one of her breasts. It wasn’t until she decided to get it checked out that she learned it was stage three breast cancer, just one month before her 22nd birthday.

“I never expected to be diagnosed with cancer at 21,” Thomas, who often takes to social media to express her gratitude toward her doctors and support system, told WCPO-9 News in a recent interview.

Recounting the time leading up to her shock diagnosis, Thomas said, “I actually saw everything with breast cancer awareness month last year, and I was like maybe I should go get it looked at, just to see.

“And then found out it was cancer.”

Although it’s unknown what led to Thomas’ diagnosis, studies have found that more young women are battling breast cancer.

Thomas’ cancer was dominantly estrogen receptor positive. She ultimately underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and had a double mastectomy [surgically removal of both breasts] in her fight against stage three breast cancer.

RELATED: 6 Common Excuses for Skipping a Mammogram That You Need to Stop Using!

Stage three breast cancer typically refers to a relatively large tumor which may have invaded nearby skin or muscle tissue. It may also mean that lymph nodes near your breast and/or under your armpit are involved.

In most cases, stage three breast cancers will need chemotherapy. If the cancer is also hormone receptor-positive, aggressive hormonal therapy may be offered as well.

What is Stage Three Breast Cancer?

Thomas added, “That was tough, being 21, getting a mastectomy. That’s nothing I’ve ever pictured in my life, but now I’m just waiting for radiation and I hope that goes well.”

The college student’s cancer journey reminds us that her experience is part of a growing trend researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis pinpointed in a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. A study which  highlights a growing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50 from the year 2000 to 2019.

RELATED: Are Diet and Lifestyle Factors Responsible for Increasing Cancer Rates in People Under 50? 

The recent data shows that cancer rates are the highest they’ve been in three decades for people between 20 and 34.

Between 1990 and 2019, cancer rates have increased 22 percent in people between 25 and 29 – faster than in any other age group, according to the Financial Times, which analyzed the recent findings from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

As for Thomas she is grateful her cancer journey is being publicized as she says she’ll know she’s “doing something good,” if at least one person is helped by her sharing her story, she said in one of her Facebook posts.

Meet Kentucky's youngest breast cancer patient: 'I never expected to be diagnosed with cancer at 21' https://t.co/l9F27IGBgS

— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) October 4, 2024

She has also expressed how helpful her mom has been throughout her cancer battle, writing in another Facebook post, “You’ve been there for me through every up and down. Offering your unconditional love, guidance, and encouragement.

“Your presence in my life has made a huge difference and I am truly bless God chose you as my mom.”

In another social media post, Thomas shared some photos from a recent 5k she ran for a charity with proceeds going to breast cancer.

She wrote alongside the images, “The Karen Wellington 5k was an incredible experience. The energy throughout the event was amazing, with everyone coming together for such an important cause.

“It meant a lot to me personally, and seeing everyone in pink & feeling the support from the community was really touching.”

Breast Cancer Symptoms & Self-Exams

Women are encouraged to do regular self-exams to become familiar with how their breasts feel normally so something like a lump forming can be easily detected. A self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast in a circular motion.

If you feel something abnormal, such as a lump or discharge from the nipple, you should contact your doctor for further examination.

Below are common symptoms to look out for:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Swelling on all or part of the breast
• Skin dimpling or peeling
• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple turning inward
• Redness or scaliness of breast or nipple skin
• Nipple discharge (not associated with breastfeeding)

Learn Your Risk and Listen to the Guidelines: An Important Message About Breast Cancer Awareness

Possible Reasons for the Increase in Breast Cancer Among Younger Women

The researchers pointed to some key areas that may be contributing factors for the increase in breast cancer among women under 50 and possible solutions to reverse the trend.

Black women should consider breast cancer risk assessment screenings at earlier ages. We already know if you have a family history of cancer or have the BRCA gene mutation, which increases your cancer risk, you should consider screening between 30 and 40 years old.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms.

Among Hispanic women, the researchers suggest because they “have children at younger ages, higher maternal parity, and breastfeed for longer periods when compared to non-Hispanic white women, may contribute to them having the lowest incidence rates (of breast cancer)” observed in the study.

Last year, Pew Research said the average age of women giving birth for the first time was 27 years old. That figure has increased from 25 in 2011. Researchers leading the study also noted that the first birth for U.S. women has increased steadily from “1970 to 2017 across all races and ethnicities.” They add that “Older age at first birth has been associated with increased risk of estrogen-positive (ER+) and progestogen-positive (PR+) tumors and reduced risk of estrogen-negative (ER-) and progestogen-negative (PR-) tumors.”

Obesity is another possible contributing factor to the increased breast cancer rate among younger women. The researchers note that “adult body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer among premenopausal women.”

What Does the Stage of the Cancer Discovered Among Younger Women Tell Us?

Researchers believe the increase in younger women being diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer can be attributed to better early-detection efforts through public health campaigns. Mammograms, self-exams, and enhanced mammograms such as 3D mammograms are growing in public awareness.

The study also saw an increase in women diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. With better early-detection efforts at play, how are some women within this group discovering their cancer at later stages? The answer may rest in current breast cancer screening guidelines.

“Screening for women who are not at an elevated risk, breast cancer is not recommended before age 40, so young women often detect their own breast cancers, which may lead to them not being discovered until they have reached a more advanced stage,” researchers say.

Current breast cancer screening guidelines promote screenings to begin at age 40.

Women who haven’t gone through menopause are encouraged to get a mammogram annually between the ages of 45 and 54. If you have experienced menopause, you can get a mammogram every two years.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms.

“We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives,” Dr. Connie Lehman, a professor at Harvard Medical School, told SurvivorNet.

Women who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer may want to be screened sooner. Suppose you fit into the high-risk category for breast cancer, meaning a close family relative has been diagnosed. People at higher risk may have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation or had radiation to the chest area when they were young. In cases like this, people in the high-risk category should begin annual mammograms at 30 years old.

More Young People Getting Diagnosed With Cancer

According to a recent report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the cancer death rate in the U.S. has fallen 33% since 1991.

However, alongside the good news are some concerning statistics. The report also found that breast cancer incidence in women has been increasing by about 0.5% every year since the mid-2000s and the prostate cancer incidence rate rose 3% per year from 2014 to 2019, after two decades of decline.

These concerning numbers come just months after another report found a shocking increase in cancer cases among people under 50. As of now, the National Cancer Institute reports that the median age for a cancer diagnosis is 60-six years old but this statistic is changing.

Over the last three decades, the chance of developing cancer under the age of 50 has been on a gallop and many medical researchers don’t expect the rising rate to lose momentum.

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“The reason for the increase in cancer incidence among younger people is partially the result of social factors,” Dr. Gwendolyn P. Quinn, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet.

RELATED: The Troubling Increase in Young People Getting Cancer; What’s Behind the Rise as Overall Cancer Death Rates Fall by 33%

“These include a wider chasm between income levels, insurance status, and access to quality healthcare and education.”

Dr. Quinn adds, “Pollution and other toxins are also increasing in our environment, including our food sources and that too may increase the chance of getting cancer earlier.”

There’s a staggering list of other lifestyle issues that may be contributing to the surge in earlier cancer diagnoses:

“Unhealthy diets with a lot of processed foods, giant-sized sugary drinks, alcohol, vaping, the use of recreational drugs, as well as higher risk sexual practices which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, HPV or hepatitis, are some of the big ones,” Dr. Sagun Shrestha, a  medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope Phoenix, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

That’s a lot on the younger generation’s plate, but Dr. Shrestha says that it’s where the biggest problem should be placed the plate. If she had to point to the number one reason cancer is affecting younger people, it would be our current food supply.

“Nowadays, accessing fast and unhealthy food is much easier than finding a healthy meal,” Dr. Shrestha explains. “The accessibility and availability of these fast foods coincide with the fast-moving lifestyles many people live.”

“Being Sick at a Young Age Gives You More Perspective”: How Did Cancer Change You?

However, there is some good news. “The technology that assesses for cancer and its risks have also improved,” Dr. Quinn points out. “And while cancer among people under fifty years is increasing, survival rates are also increasing.”

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you’re a young person concerned about your risk of cancer, here are some questions you can consider asking your doctor:

• Do you have suggestions for how I can determine my family history of cancer?
• Are there tests to determine my genetic risk of cancer?
• Let’s discuss my lifestyle and what areas I can make changes to help reduce my risk of cancer.
• What screening do you recommend for me based on my family history, genetic test results and lifestyle?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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