Dear aries010,

The only way you can know for sure if you have breast cancer is to go to a health care provider and get examined. However, breast cancer in teenagers is very rare. For women 20 and older, the American Cancer Society recommends clinical breast exams, performed by a trained health care provider, once every three years, and then yearly after age 40. Many women already receive clinical breast exams as a regular part of their periodic exams.

Early breast cancer has few, if any, symptoms. The tumors are not necessarily painful, and there are not always visible signs. Becoming familiar with your breasts - what they look like and how they feel - will help you notice any irregularities, such as puckering or dimpling of the skin, unusual nipple discharge, or unusual lumps.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.