10/24/2026
Today, we’re giving Kayla the floor to share some of her own words. 💗
"If I could sit down with every 20- or 30-year-old woman, this is what I would tell her…
Just because you're young, does not mean you cannot get cancer. The standard age to begin breast cancer screening for women, without added risk factors, is 40 years old. However, that does not mean that you have to wait until then to have awareness with your body.
About 1 in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 45.
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among females ages 15-39.
Young does not mean immune.
Know your body. Nearly 80% of young women diagnosed found the abnormality themselves.
Know your family history. While approximately 10-15% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history, it is important to know your family's history of cancer, if any, both on your mother's side and your father's side. Individuals with at least one close family relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer. Women with at least one close family relative (mother, sister or daughter) should start a screening program with a breast specialist when they are ten years younger than their relative's age at diagnosis.
Know the warning signs and take them seriously. Pay attention to more than just a lump. Other signs include skin dimpling or a rash, unusual ni**le discharge, a change in breast size or shape, or persistent breast/ni**le pain.
Check out Know Your Lemons website (https://knowyourlemons.org) or app for helpful resources. The Know Your Lemons Foundation’s mission is to improve early detection of breast cancer worldwide through creative and empowering education. They do this through three initiatives: an early detection app, classes taught by trained volunteer educators and a global campaign available on social, in print and online in over 40 languages.
To help calculate your risk, use resources like:
- Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator (https://magview.com/ibis-risk-calculator/)
- Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (The Gail Model, https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/)
Even if your score is low, still self check and know your normal! It's free and easy to do and it’s never too late to start. If you feel something, say something. Even if you think it may be nothing because you're too young, still get it checked out. If you hear “you're too young, it's probably nothing” push back and advocate for your health, because no one else will! I will never stop shouting this from the rooftops because it's what saved my life!"
Sources: American Cancer Society, Young Survival Coalition, Know Your Lemons, Mag View, National Cancer Institute