Breast Cancer in Young Women

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.

Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women. About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. While breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are difficult for women of any age, young survivors may find it overwhelming.

CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is working to increase awareness of breast cancer and improve the health and quality of life of young breast cancer survivors and young women who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Learn more about—

• Who has a higher risk of getting breast cancer at a younger age.
• What you can do to reduce your risk.
• What CDC is doing about breast cancer in younger women.
• The Know:BRCA tool to help you assess your risk of having a BRCA gene mutation (change).