No doctor will ever say that 15-year-old girls never get breast cancer.
It’s actually possible for breast cancer to strike a 15-year-old girl.
However, the likelihood of this occurring is so incredibly low that the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program determined that the number of new breast cancer cases in females under age 19 for the years 2010-2014 was zero percent.
But zero percent on a graph does not mean never possible or that it’s never happened. It has happened.
But these are truly exceptionally rare cases — rare enough that they don’t register on the NCI’s graph.
Benign Lumps in Teens
“Benign breast tumors can occur in young girls,” says Mylaine Riobe, MD, founder of Riobe Institute of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Riobe, board certified in OB/GYN and integrative medicine, is the author of “The Answer to Cancer.”
Do not let the term “tumor” scare you. A tumor is simply a mass — which can either be benign or malignant. 15 nipple discharge
If something has been identified as a benign tumor, this does not mean that it’s likely to one day become malignant.
“Fibroadenoma is a more common benign breast tumor in younger women,” notes Dr. Riobe. Cancer is much less likely at this age.”
Fibroadenomas most commonly occur between the ages of 15 and 35.
The way this lump feels to the fingers may be rubbery or as hard as a marble.
Usually such a lump easily moves under the skin with the fingers (a reassuring sign that it’s probably not cancer) and is painless.
“Nipple discharge can be a sign of a pituitary tumor [prolactinoma] in the brain causing prolactin to be secreted. These tumors are usually benign,” continues Dr. Riobe.
“Birth control pills can cause nipple discharge as can other medications.”
Birth control pills can occasionally lead to nipple discharge as a side effect, primarily due to the hormonal fluctuations they induce.
These pills commonly contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, which can significantly alter hormone levels and subsequently impact breast tissue.
The hormonal changes brought about by these medications can stimulate the milk ducts in the breasts, leading to discharge.
This phenomenon occurs because the synthetic hormones in birth control pills can mimic the natural hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, affecting the breast tissue similarly to how it would be affected during pregnancy or lactation.
As a result, some women may experience a discharge from the nipples.
It’s important to note that this side effect is generally benign and not usually a cause for concern.
The discharge often becomes more noticeable when there are fluctuations in hormone levels or as the body adjusts to the medication.
If the discharge is persistent, accompanied by other symptoms, or causing significant discomfort, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that it’s not indicative of a more serious condition.
