Could a 39 year old woman have breast cancer?

I was talking about a cough that I have had, and someone mentioned cancer to me. And then someone I know who is 39, said she has felt a couple lumps, but there is no pain in them. They are not hard. They are just there. She said they have been there for a few years now. I don't think a 39 year old could have breast cancer could she?

Thanks...I will show her this post if it comes up again. She was not thinking it was cancer, I was just curious.

Once again a question of a "few years." If it was breast cancer, after a few years, it would probably have mets to the brain by then.

With her age though, it's about time to get checked. She should have been getting paps and breast exams every year. The gyno would notice any suspicious lumps.

I didn't think I had cancer either until I had pain. For me I did have pain but every Dr will tell you or her that pain is not an indication. Well it was for my sister and my niece as well. However, at 39, she can be at risk for breast cancer. It can start as early as 35 and in some cases, younger. She knew she had this for several years and did not have it checked? Gosh, I wish i could have spoken to her. Hopefully she only has an noncancerous cysts, but if this lump has grown, she could be in trouble. She has to see a Dr and find out what the lump is. I had double mastectomy last Nov of 08. Make sure she sees an Oncologist. That's so important.
Some have mentioned about time. How long she's had it and if it didn't grow it's not cancer. That's a lot of bull. Just because it's small doesn't mean it's not cancer. My tumors were small but deadly as my Oncologist said. So in this case, size does not matter nor does age.

Sadly, absolutely. I was diagnosed at almost 38 with a 5 cm lump that had likely been there a couple years according to the oncologist. I always got annual exams too and the doc didn't catch it. My skin turned really red so I had it checked out, and by then it was really big and had spread throughout the breast and into 8 lymph nodes. I'm fine now! So no need to panic. It is very treatable. Have a mammogram, ultrasound, or even MRI.

I've known a couple of women at that age to get breast cancer. Tumors wouldn't typically be soft or squishy and stay the same size for years.

Mine more than doubled in size over a period of 5 months or so, but it was pretty aggressive.

Yes, a 39 year old can have breast cancer. I'd tell her to get it checked. One of my friends got breast cancer at 36. If the lumps haven't grown or changed its probably fine but its still good to get it checked out.

It's young for breast cancer - only 5% of those diagnosed with breast cancer are under 40 - but yes, it happens and all lumps should be checked out.

Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, and many women have naturally lumpy breasts.

It is rare, but possible to have breast cancer in your 30s. Look at Kylie Minogue.

Verite R

my mom had breast cancer when she was 37.