BREAST CANCER IN YOUNG WOMEN: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Breast cancer in young women is considered when it is identified in women under the age of 40. Although this age group represents a small proportion of breast cancer prevalence in Brazil, it has a worse prognosis and is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women under 40. The methodology used was a narrative review, consulting the databases SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS. Inclusion criteria were scientific articles in Portuguese and English that addressed the topic, published between 2006 and 2021, and freely available on the consulted platforms. The results showed that the main risk factor is family history, with pathogenic variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes being responsible for most cases. Another risk factor is exposure to ionizing radiation during childhood or adolescence, especially in those with a history of previous oncological treatment, such as radiotherapy. Other associated risk factors include early menarche, alcohol consumption, use of oral contraceptives, and late parity. For women under 40, it is recommended to use a combination of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging along with mammography, due to the higher breast density in this group. The treatment of breast cancer in young women tends to be similar to other age groups and is based on tumor characteristics, patient specifics, likelihood of recurrence, and potential response to therapy. Additionally, due to the higher recurrence rate associated with younger age, attention should be given to axillary status, with additional irradiation being beneficial in specific cases. The importance of proper initial investigation in young women with a family history of breast cancer is concluded, emphasizing early diagnosis for individualized treatment.