Cancer is one of the world’s leading health issues. From childhood to adults, it is a global health crisis, as it continues to grow each year. 

 

More specifically, within the past 3 years, breast cancer has surged. According to, the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022 alone, 670,000 deaths occurred at the hands of breast cancer. 

 

What is more alarming, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), is that over the past five years, breast cancer diagnoses in women under 50 increased 2 percent annually. This trend highlights the necessity of understanding the specific risks and challenges faced by younger women.

 

Why is it important to note this trend? Simply because of the issue of women - alone - under 50 being diagnosed with breast cancer is know as the second topic cause of death in women. In fact, 99% of all breast cancers are found in women, as reported by the WHO. Even more concerning is that younger women are more susceptible to face more aggressive forms of breast cancer, the BCRF informs.

 

Let’s look at the facts. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of breast cancer in women under 50. Specifically, genetics, hormones, lifestyle, and environment all can play a role in the cause of cancer. 

 

While some factors can’t be controlled - like genetics or hormones - others like lifestyle, and environment can be changed for the better of ones health. For example, eating healthier, low on sugar, working out, even cleaning our your house or room to help create a healthier environment are all small ways to attend prevention. It’s important for women today to understand the risk of this disease before its to late.

 

It is important to highlight what people at a small level can do. At Westlake, bringing awareness to Breast Cancer, athletes wear pink throughout the month of October. Every team has either pink socks, hair ribbons, cleats, and some teams even have a pink jerseys! Teachers take part in this awareness by having “Pink Out” Friday using the symbolic color pink to remind all of the courage and hope that each fighter needs to overcome the disease. 

 

Works Cited

American Cancer Society. 1 Oct. 2024, pressroom.cancer.org/breastcancerfactsandfigures2024.

Breast Cancer Reaserch Foundation. 2 May 2024, www.bcrf.org/blog/breast-cancer-young-women/.

World Health Organization. 4 Mar. 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer#:~:text=Overview,producing%20lobules%20of%20the%20breast.