Because breast tissue in young women is firmer than in those over 40, finding tissue abnormalities and diagnosing them as cancerous is more of a challenge. The younger the patient is, the more likely a mammogram will come back as inconclusive.

The Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit agency dedicated to supporting young women with breast cancer, reports that there are currently more than 250,000 women under 40 in the United States living with the disease. This year, more than 11,000 young women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and, of them, one out of every eleven will die.

Asha was one of the lucky ones. Thanks to chemotherapy, radiation and estrogen blockers, she is now a thriving thirty-year-old and a strong advocate of women taking a proactive approach to their health. She says, “If you feel a lump, get it checked out—even if you feel like you’re being a hypochondriac—and make sure people are taking you seriously at the doctor’s office.”

Being cognizant of one’s own body may be the best preventative measure women have against breast cancer. In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having yearly physicals starting at age 20, a breast self-exam is recommended every month.