When we think about breast cancer, we often associate it with older women and for a good reason. Age is one of the strongest risk factors, and most cases are diagnosed in women over 50. However, can teenagers get breast cancer? Yes, but it is extremely rare.
For teenagers, a breast lump is far more likely to be related to puberty or a benign breast condition than cancer. Still, understanding what is normal, recognizing unusual changes, and knowing your family history can help you make informed decisions about your health.
How Common Is Breast Cancer in Teenagers?
Breast cancer in teenagers is exceptionally uncommon. One medical review estimated the incidence at about 0.1 cases per 100,000 people ages 15 to 19. More recent reviews likewise find that the overwhelming majority of breast masses in children and adolescents are benign.
Breast cancer risk rises considerably with age. For younger people, factors that may increase future or early-onset risk include a strong family history, certain inherited genetic variants such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or previous radiation treatment to the chest.
What Causes Breast Lumps During Puberty?
A breast lump during puberty can develop for several reasons, most of which are not cancerous.
Normal Breast Bud Development
Breast development commonly begins between ages 8 and 13. A small, firm area beneath the nipple may simply be a breast bud, one of the first signs of puberty.
It is also normal for one breast to begin developing before the other, and breast buds can sometimes feel tender or sore.
Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenomas are benign tumors made up of glandular and connective breast tissue. They are among the most common breast masses found in adolescents and young women.
They often feel round, firm or rubbery, and movable beneath the skin. Some remain stable or become smaller over time.
Breast Cysts and Hormonal Changes
Changing hormone levels during puberty and the menstrual cycle can affect breast tissue and contribute to tenderness, swelling, or cystic changes.
Cysts are fluid-filled areas within the breast. Although less common in teenagers than fibroadenomas, they can occur and are typically distinguished from solid masses through ultrasound.
Breast Infections or Injuries
An infection may lead to pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or an abscess. Injury to the breast can also produce swelling or changes in the tissue that may feel like a lump.
These concerns require medical attention when symptoms are significant, persistent, or accompanied by fever.
What Are the Possible Signs of Breast Cancer in a Teenager?
Because cancer at this breast cancer age is so unusual, finding a lump does not mean that a teenager has cancer.
However, certain changes deserve medical attention, including:
- A hard or irregular lump that does not go away
- A mass that noticeably increases in size
- Skin dimpling or changes in breast texture
- A nipple that becomes newly inverted
- Bloody or unusual nipple discharge
- Swelling or a lump in the underarm
- Changes involving both the breast and surrounding skin
These features can also occur with conditions unrelated to cancer, so symptoms alone cannot establish a diagnosis.
When Should a Teenager See a Doctor About a Breast Lump?
A teenager who discovers a new breast lump should discuss it with a healthcare professional rather than trying to identify it based on appearance or touch alone.
Seek medical care particularly when the lump:
- Continues to grow or does not resolve
- Feels unusually hard or fixed
- Causes significant pain
- Occurs with nipple or skin changes
- Is accompanied by redness, warmth, or fever
- Develops in someone with a notable family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Family history deserves special attention when close relatives develop breast cancer at a young age or when a known BRCA gene variant runs in the family.
How Are Breast Lumps in Teenagers Evaluated?
Evaluation in teenagers differs from the approach commonly used for adults because breast cancer is much less common and developing breast tissue is different.
Medical History and Breast Examination
A healthcare professional may ask when the lump appeared, whether it has changed in size, whether there is pain or nipple discharge, and whether there is a relevant family or medical history.
The breast and surrounding area can then be examined to understand the lump’s size, location, texture, and mobility.
Breast Ultrasound
When imaging is necessary, breast ultrasound is generally the preferred first test for adolescents. It can help determine whether a lump is fluid-filled or solid without exposing developing breast tissue to radiation.
Mammography is rarely used as the initial test for teenagers. A suspicious finding may instead lead to closer monitoring or, in selected cases, tissue sampling.
Does Birth Control Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
Research has found an association between current or recent hormonal contraceptive use and a small increase in breast cancer risk. However, most of this evidence comes from broader populations rather than teenagers specifically, and the absolute increase in risk is small.
This does not mean that taking birth control will cause breast cancer. The benefits and risks vary depending on the type of contraception, medical history, and individual circumstances.
Teenagers using hormonal contraception should discuss any concerns with the healthcare professional who prescribed it rather than stopping medication without medical advice.
Where Can Teenagers Get a Breast Lump Checked?
A teenager can begin by consulting a:
- Pediatrician or adolescent medicine doctor
- Family physician
- OB-GYN
- Breast specialist, when referred or when specialized care is needed
The doctor can decide whether observation, ultrasound, or another form of care is suitable.
A lump that is rapidly growing, accompanied by significant skin changes, or associated with signs of infection should be checked promptly.
Practice Early Detection with Shinagawa Diagnostic
Developing breast cancer as a teenager is highly unlikely, but your health risks can change as you get older. Family history, inherited genetic factors, aging, and certain lifestyle factors can all influence breast cancer risk over a lifetime.
For teenagers, early detection does not mean beginning routine mammograms at a young age. It means learning what is normal for your body, speaking with a medical professional when something changes, and becoming familiar with your family’s health history.
As you move through different stages of life, regular health checkups can become part of staying informed about your overall health. Shinagawa Diagnostic offers health checkup options that can support this proactive approach, from basic health assessments to gender-specific packages for eligible patients as their healthcare needs change.
References:
Breast conditions | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (n.d.-c). https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/breast-conditions
What are the symptoms of breast cancer in teens?. HCG. (2024, March 26). https://www.hcgoncology.com/blog/breast-cancer-in-teens/