Hannah Powell-Auslam is the youngest breast cancer patient doctors have ever seen. At only 10 years old, Hannah has recently undergone a mastectomy on her left breast to remove a malignant tumor.

Hannah’s mother noticed a lump on her daughter’s breast after she had complained and took her to get examined. The doctors initially told her that she was too young to have breast cancer, but the doctors were wrong.

In addition to having her breast removed, Hannah will have to undergo chemotherapy to kill cancer cells that spread to her lymph nodes. Because she never mentioned the lump to her mother before (what 10-year-old would ever know to do that?), Hannah’s cancer spread beyond the initial area.

While this is an incredibly rare situation, Hannah’s case is a reminder to all of us to check ourselves monthly and report anything strange or abnormal to a doctor. It may not be common, but breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of their age, and the best way to beat it is to catch it early.

So, go. Step away from CollegeCandy (but don’t forget to come back!) and give yourself an exam. It only takes a moment and could really save your life.

[October is Breast Cancer awareness month, so CollegeCandy thought it was important to bring you all the information you need to protect yourself. Come back tomorrow for more important facts about prevention, therapy and other knowledge to keep you healthy.]

While breast cancer is uncommon in women under the age of 35, the risk of it increases as a woman grows older. There is also some evidence to suggest that young African American women are at greater risk for breast cancer than young Caucasian women. No matter who you are, you will be affected by breast cancer during the course of your life in one way or another.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself now.

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Mammography screening is the best available method to detect breast cancer, but due to the high levels of radiation, doctors don’t recommend them to people under the age of 40. Your next best bet? Clinical and self examination.

The American Cancer Society urges women in their 20s and 30s to have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as a part of their regular professional health exam. The most common signs of breast cancer are a lump in the breast, abnormal thickening of the breast, or a change in the shape or color of the breast. Keep in mind that finding a lump does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. If you notice something abnormal, talk to your doctor ASAP. Read More »