It is not a disease limited to the elderly. "Breast cancer" It can occur even at a young age. If you detect any abnormalities by touch, do not ignore them; see a doctor immediately.
On 31 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Dr. Piyasak Taharawanich, a specialist in breast surgery and reconstruction at the Surgical Center of Nawavej Hospital, explained the principles of breast cancer development. He said that body tissues consist of tiny cells that continuously divide, live, and die. Each division produces cells identical in appearance and function with the same lifespan to maintain body balance.
Cancer arises from faulty cell division, producing abnormal cells that look different, lose normal function, refuse to die, and multiply uncontrollably. But what causes this abnormal division?
1. Aging: As a person ages, cells divide for a long time, like a factory producing products over many years, gradually producing more defective items. Thus, cancer is more common in the elderly, though errors in cell division can still occur in younger people, albeit less frequently.
2. Continuous excessive stimulation of cell division, similar to a factory forced to produce beyond its normal rate continuously, leading to errors in production (cell division). Specifically for breasts,
the main stimulant is hormones, such as contraceptives taken orally or by injection, hormone supplements or replacements for deficiency, and also supplements or medicines aimed at women’s health or regulating menstruation. These often cause noticeable breast enlargement or tenderness after some use.
3. Genetic abnormalities, known as cancer genes, account for 20% of breast cancer cases. In younger patients, breast cancer often results from this cause. Normal genes play important roles at every stage of the cell cycle. If a person has abnormal genes, faulty cell division can easily begin at a young age.
This is like a factory producing defective products from the start, resulting in increasing defective items soon after production begins. Such genetic issues do not necessarily require a family history of cancer, as carriers may not have reached the point where cells become cancerous. Genetic factors must always be considered when breast cancer occurs in those under 45, and gene screening is recommended for all such patients.
Importantly for younger people, breasts tend to be dense, making it difficult to detect abnormalities by touch. When a lump is found, it is often already sizable. If one becomes complacent, thinking youth means no serious disease, the lump may grow very large and spread to lymph nodes.
Treatment becomes more complex, and the chance of cure decreases. Breast cancer in younger patients is often aggressive and fast-spreading (HER-2 positive, triple-negative). Therefore, young women who detect any abnormalities by touch are urged not to ignore them and to see a doctor promptly.
1. Perform regular monthly breast self-examinations. If you find abnormalities such as lumps, harder breast tissue, increased tenderness, swelling, redness, rash, dimpling of the skin or nipple, or nipple discharge, see a doctor immediately.
2. Before using hormones for any reason—contraception, acne treatment, weight control, PCOS treatment, or fertility treatments—breast cancer screening should be done first, and close monitoring should continue during hormone use.
3. If you have health issues, consult a doctor to identify and treat any conditions. Avoid taking supplements or tonics based on advertisements or personal assumptions.
Breast cancer in young people can be frightening due to its aggressiveness and rapid spread, but complacency is even more dangerous. If you are a young woman, regularly check your breasts, consult a doctor before starting any hormone or tonic treatments, and if you detect any lumps or abnormalities, remember to promptly consult a breast surgeon.