New research reveals up to 25% of breast cancers occur in women younger than 50, challenging current screening guidelines. The study tracked nearly 1,800 breast cancer cases among approximately 1,300 women under 50 across seven New York clinics between 2014 and 2024. Results showed 20% to 24% of all breast cancers affected women aged 18 to 49, with 81% being invasive tumors. “This research shows that a significant proportion of cancers are diagnosed in women under 40, a group for whom there are no screening guidelines at this time,” studu author Dr. Stamatia Destounis said. Many cases involved aggressive cancer types, including triple-negative forms resistant to hormone therapies. Current guidelines recommend mammograms starting at age 40 or 45, but researchers suggest earlier risk-based screening may be needed for high-risk women. (Story URL)
