Why are Very Young Women Getting Breast Cancer?

A new and disturbing trend is being seen in the field of cancer, specifically breast cancer. A disease that typically does not occur in the young is suddenly being found in women in their 20s. This is not only unusual from the perspective of age but the other odd finding is the location of these breast tumors.

Breast cancer risk generally increases with age, with rates being low in women younger than age 40. The risk is highest in those women 70 years of age and older with the average age of detection found at age 61.

The location of tumors is typically in the outer and upper quadrant of the breast. In other words, the side of the breast closest to the arm and at the top is the most common location. Almost 34% of all tumors are found in this location as compared to 7% at the top, inner quadrant.

However, according to breast surgeons, the tumors being found in some young women defy all the odds. Firstly they are found in women in their early twenties and thirties, and secondly, the location is the inner, upper quadrant of the breast.

Where is the Worst Place to Keep Your Cell Phone?

Why? The location of these tumors exactly aligns with the position of the cell phone being worn by these young women in their bras.

One such story described a woman 21 years of age, who, upon receiving her first cell phone at the age of 13, put the device in her bra and wore it there daily until she received her breast cancer diagnosis.

Personally I had never heard of such a thing. When I asked my own 20-year-old daughter about the practice, she replied that while she doesn’t do it often, thankfully, she has put her phone inside her sports bra when taking hikes and she did know of other young women doing the same.

I now have discovered that certain companies actually provide ‘pockets’ for cell phones in their bras. Obviously the message being communicated is that one ‘should’ place their cell phone there.

Men Are Also at Risk

Men are not free of risk either. Two breast surgeons, Dr. West and Dr. Bailey, when interviewed stated that they saw an increase in male breast cancer in men who kept their cell phones in their shirt pockets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified cell phones as potentially carcinogenic and is in agreement that the risk should be taken seriously.

How Far Away from Your Body Should Your Cell Phone Be?

Does your cell phone speak of such warnings? iPhones do. If you have one, do this exercise:

Go to settings –> go to general –>go to about –> scroll to the bottom and click on legal –> go to the bottom to RF exposure –> you can read it all, but minimally read the 3rd paragraph where it discusses how far from the body the cell phone should be.

p.s. 10 mm = 1/2 inch

More studies need to occur but for now, heading the warning of not wearing your cell phone might be prudent. It has also been established the young children should not play with cell phones as their skull is thinner and the brain is, therefore, more affected by the RF radiation.

Another study looked at men who placed their cell phone in their back pocket for the majority of their waking hours. On the side that they placed their phone, the density of the hip bones was less than the side that didn’t receive any radiation.

What You Can Do to Lessen Your Risk

What should you do if you want or need to ‘wear’ your cell phone for some reason? Simply put it on airplane mode. Then you will not receive any radiation. Should you wish to make a call or check your messages, switch the phone back on and you’re back in communication! When you have ‘landed’ at your destination, place your phone on a surface that is a few inches away from your body.

At this time this is considered the safest use of cell phones.

Reducing your risk of cancer beyond safe cell phone use should include:

• Maintaining or achieving a normal body weight. Excess fat, especially around the midsection, is particularly dangerous and toxic to the body.

• Avoiding artificial ingredients, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, preservatives, and GMO foods.

• Avoiding simple carbohydrates in the form of refined grains and sugar.

• Consuming 9 servings or organics fruits and vegetables each day. At least 5 of the 9 should be vegetables.

• Discovering if you have any food sensitivities – gluten and dairy are the most common.

• Discovering if you have any hidden infections. A lab test can determine this.

• Exercising 30 minutes per day, at least 5 times per week. Get a heart rate monitor and keep your pulse rate at 180 minus your age.

• If you are taking any medications, work with a clinician who can get to the root cause of the problem, correct it, and hopefully wean you off the medication(s) safely.

Sound simple? It turns out that it is.

As a clinical nutritionist, I’m fascinated by how many studies are occurring that conclude with the fact that we need to eat responsibly and exercise. The importance of getting those basics handled cannot be overstressed.

I hope you found this helpful. Please share this information with your friends and family. When it comes to cell phone use, if you’re over 13 the device is probably an integral part of your life. When it comes to safety, we still have a lot to learn. But for now, implementing these few simple strategies could make a big difference in future health and reducing cancer risk.