Breast cancer experts encourage young women to pay attention to family’s medical history

Breast cancer experts are encouraging young women to pay closer attention to their family’s medical history.

This comes as the country observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

The Breast Imaging Society of South Africa said breast cancer affects 1 in 27 women across all ages in South Africa, with 20% of breast cancer cases in the country occurring in women under the age of 40.  

The group warned that lifestyle choices, obesity and hormonal factors play a role in developing the cancer.  

Organisation chair Dr Peter Schoub said women should consult their doctors to discuss possible risk factors.

"Breast cancer in your 30s and 20s is quite uncommon but unfortunately, it does happen. The vast majority of women who get breast cancer don’t have any particular risk factors, but if you do have a risk factor, it means you have a higher chance of getting breast cancer."