How to feel an idiot…

There was no need to associate breast cancer with early menses. I know the poster is a nurse, but it will cause unnecessary worry to the OP.

I think young women should be breast aware but worrying any young girl that they are more likely to develop breast cancer because they start their periods at the earlier end of the range is a worry too far.

At the tender age of 11 and with all that's happening both hormonally and life changes (new school etc) why on earth would you add the worry of potential breast cancer issues to her shoulders. I'd be very surprised if a Dr would pursue anything until she had gone through puberty ?

God bless incontinence pads! I was in the next cubicle of a public toilet listening to a Mum trying to calm her young daughter, whom I gathered had just started her first period, and giving advice about wads of loo paper. I came out of my cubicle offering an (unused!) incontinence pad and I can’t think there is anything I’ve seen more gratefully received.

I started my periods age 14, had 4 children and breast fed them all
Still got breast cancer TWICE
Don’t worry the poor girl for goodness sake

One thing for her to be aware of: there is evidence to suggest that girls who start prior to age 12 may have a higher risk of breast cancer in the future

I think it would be just an added worry for an 11 year old; life seems difficult for many of them now and many are still adjusting after Covid.
Presumably she's starting at senior school as well this week, another hurdle.

While 11 is on the younger side, it's not super young. We have seen onset of menses in girls as young as 8, occasionally, but I think the standard definition of "normal" is 10-16.

One thing for her to be aware of: there is evidence to suggest that girls who start prior to age 12 may have a higher risk of breast cancer in the future. This is something she may want to discuss with her doctor when she gets older. (It seems to be the case that the longer your body is exposed to estrogen, the greater your risk of breast cancer. We know that early menarche (onset of menses), late menopause, having fewer pregnancies, and not breastfeeding can increase the risk of breast cancer.)

😂 you sure don’t want that borrowed item back.Girls start periods quite young now don’t they?
One good thing about being older is an end to all that.