Between 2000 and 2021, breast cancer rates in people under 50 of Asian or Pacific Islander decent rose by nearly 50%, from 36 to 55 cases per 100,000, with sharper increases between 2020 and 2021. Rates of breast cancer in young people are known to be rising in general, but this rate increase, according to National Cancer Institute records, exceeds that of any other ethnicity or race.
Cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, but screening rates are the lowest. In women of Asian or Pacific Island descent, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer, second to lung cancer, which is also on the rise in young people of Asian and Latin descent.
“We want to know why we see this spike,” says Leticia Varella, MD, a Dana-Farber breast oncologist. “But also, we want to make sure that people know that breast cancer in young women is possible and to be aware and alert. No woman should be told they are too young to get breast cancer.”
Dana-Farber’s Young and Strong Program is an excellent resource for young adults with breast cancer.
Understand the why behind rising cancer rates among young AAPI adults
There are several factors that could contribute to rising breast cancer rates in young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), though further research is needed to understand this trend.
- Environmental Hazards: Air pollution affects lower income and historically marginalized populations more frequently than others and can increase the risk of cancer. According to one study, Asian Americans and Black Americans experience more cancers associated with hazardous air pollution.
- Lifestyle: For Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have recently immigrated to the U.S., rates of cancer may be increasing due to lifestyle changes, including eating more red meat, becoming more sedentary, and increasing rates of obesity.
- Biology: There may be inherited genetic differences related to increased cancer risk that are more common in people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, but these risk genes may not be well understood yet. More research is needed. A key focus at Dana-Farber is to find ways to include more diverse populations of people in clinical research so that what is learned is applicable to everyone.
- Changes in reproductive factors: Changes such as age at first menstrual period, age at first pregnancy, and number of pregnancies can also have an influence.
Know the best practices for reducing cancer risk
A key best practice is to follow recommended screening guidelines for breast cancer. It is recommended that regular mammography begin at age 40, which is in line with the recent increase in breast cancer rates among adults ages 40 to 49.
Another best practice is to know as much as you can about your personal risk of cancer. Dana-Farber’s AssessYourRisk tool will help you understand the factors that contribute to your personal risk and help you take steps to reduce that risk.
A third best practice is to focus on healthy lifestyle choices, including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight. Learn more about obesity and cancer.
- Getting regular exercise.
- Eating a diet of whole foods with minimal processed or ultraprocessed foods. Learn more about ultraprocessed foods and cancer.
- Avoid alcohol. Learn more about alcohol and cancer.
Know when to see a doctor
It is important for you to know your body. This will help you know if something changes in your body – such as finding a lump in your breast – that needs a doctor’s attention.
“I advise young women to increase breast awareness and become familiar with how their breasts change during different periods of their menstrual cycle,” says Varella.
If you feel a lump or swelling or notice a change in appearance in your breasts and you are under 40, see your doctor. Most likely, the change is not cancer. For instance, it could be a cyst, or, if you are breast feeding, it might be a clogged duct or an infection, called mastitis.
Your doctor will most likely want to treat the change as one of these possibilities, and rightfully so. These ailments are much more common than breast cancer.
However, if the problem is not resolved in a couple of weeks – say after your menstrual cycle moves to the next phase or after treatment with an antibiotic – go back for a deeper assessment.
“If you are young, it is very rare for an abnormality you find to be cancer, but it is possible,” says Varella. “Breast cancer is something we do not want to miss.”