"I had to stop focusing on being young, going out, having fun and living my life...to fighting for my life," says Amanda Nixon, a cancer survivor.
At 27, Amanda Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I was more worried about the vain aspects like I'm only going to have one breast; who would date someone with one boob?"
Like any 20-something, Amanda was just starting her life, cancer being something that never crossed her mind. But doctors say cancer does not discriminate by age.
Dr. Gina Mansy, a radiation oncologist, says the risk for cancer increases with age, but women need to be aware of different warning signs throughout their lives.
"In your 20s, what I'd be most concerned about is cervical cancer," Mansy said.
Mansy says cervical cancer is fairly common among women in their late teens and 20s.
"It's very important once a woman becomes sexually active, that she gets her annual pap-smears, or if there's anything abnormal -- bleeding, pain with intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse -- that she sees her primary care doctor for an evaluation," Mansy said.
Another type of cancer common among younger women is Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
"We look for symptoms like fever, weightloss, night-sweat," Mansy said.
Breast cancer become more common among women in their 40s, Mansy said, and the cause is often genetic. That's why doctors suggest researching your family history and getting annual mammograms.
While many cancers are not preventable, Dr. Mansy says leading a healthy lifestyle is important.
At 27, Amanda Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I was more worried about the vain aspects like I'm only going to have one breast; who would date someone with one boob?"
Like any 20-something, Amanda was just starting her life, cancer being something that never crossed her mind. But doctors say cancer does not discriminate by age.
Dr. Gina Mansy, a radiation oncologist, says the risk for cancer increases with age, but women need to be aware of different warning signs throughout their lives.
"In your 20s, what I'd be most concerned about is cervical cancer," Mansy said.
Mansy says cervical cancer is fairly common among women in their late teens and 20s.
"It's very important once a woman becomes sexually active, that she gets her annual pap-smears, or if there's anything abnormal -- bleeding, pain with intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse -- that she sees her primary care doctor for an evaluation," Mansy said.
Another type of cancer common among younger women is Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
"We look for symptoms like fever, weightloss, night-sweat," Mansy said.
Breast cancer become more common among women in their 40s, Mansy said, and the cause is often genetic. That's why doctors suggest researching your family history and getting annual mammograms.
While many cancers are not preventable, Dr. Mansy says leading a healthy lifestyle is important.
