HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Breast Cancer rates are rising in young women.
On Friday, the Memorial Healthcare System hosted its first retreat for teenage girls and young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.
“There’s probably a lot of reasons that we’re seeing an increased incidence of breast cancer across the board in young people,” said Dr. Natasha Rueth, a surgical oncologist and chief of breast cancer services at the Memorial Cancer Institute.
Rueth said risk factors include having kids at an older age, alcohol consumption, and obesity. She also said better screenings are detecting more cancers earlier.
“There is an increase in incidence of genetic testing in screening, and we are increasing our surveillance of younger and younger women who have higher risk factors identified,” she said.
Jenelle Naar was 21 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive ductal breast cancer. She found a lump during a self-exam.
“When I first heard it, initially I was in shock was like, at 21 at the time - How did this happen? Like, is there anything I could have done?” Naar said.
After chemotherapy and radiation, she is now cancer-free.
The recommended age is still 40 for a mammogram unless a woman is at higher risk.
Related stories
Local 10 News Reporter Janine Stanwood shares her experience
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
