Breast cancer will affect over 170,000 women this year and kill close to 40,000, most in ages 50 and over. But it can affect college-aged students more likely than most people believe.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 15 to 54, in part because younger women are diagnosed at a later stage from unknown risks. There is no effective breast cancer-screening tool for women who are 40 and under.
According to the National Cancer Institute, women should check themselves regularly and not wait until they are older. Check yourself regularly, even if you do not believe you are at risk. Early detection is the best way to treat cancer.
Testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men, but is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 34, according to the Food and Drug Administration. With an early treatment survival rate that is incredibly high, the National Cancer Institute says that about 70 percent of men with advanced testicular cancer can be cured, and the survival rate gets even higher if you catch the cancer early. Just like with breast cancer, it is smart to check regularly to determine if something is abnormal.
For additional information on how to check for breast or testicular cancer, visit www.cancer.org.