April is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month and Rachel’s story exemplifies a perspective that will help many going through a similar experience. Though a breast cancer diagnosis forced her onto a path she never expected, she has emerged with wisdom, resilience and a deeper appreciation for the present. Through the support of her family, her treatment team and the young adult cancer community, she has found strength in the unexpected — and is embracing life with a newfound clarity and a different lens.
An Expected Diagnosis
At just 23 years old, Rachel was living in Washington, D.C., working as a journalist and navigating a whirlwind of health concerns. She had been experiencing a series of medical issues and was already spending her days in and out of appointments, when she discovered a lump in her left breast while showering. “Of course, people were like, ‘Oh, you’re so young. It’s probably benign. Don’t worry about it.’ And I don’t blame anybody for saying that because I probably would have said the same thing,” Rachel shared.
But Rachel had an unsettling feeling that it was something more serious.
“I kind of knew in my head the whole time,” she recalled. “I went to my primary care doctor and just said, ‘I really need a breast ultrasound.’”
After waiting three months for an ultrasound, Rachel’s instincts proved correct. In October 2023, she was diagnosed with highly invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of triple-positive breast cancer.
Relocating for Treatment
Following her diagnosis, Rachel faced a decision: remain in D.C., where the health care system was overloaded, or move back home to Phoenix, Arizona, to seek treatment at a world-renowned cancer center. The choice was clear.
“I realized I could not live in Washington, D.C., during treatment,” Rachel said. “I needed my support system, and it helped that they were right near an incredible hospital.”
Within a week, she packed up her life. Her father and brother flew to D.C. to help, driving her car back to Arizona while she flew home with her mother. Once she was seen in Arizona, her diagnosis was adjusted from stage 2A to 2B, and she received a clear treatment plan.
Navigating Cancer as a Young Adult
Facing breast cancer at 23 placed Rachel in a unique position. Most of her peers were focusing on careers, social lives and travel, while she was undergoing chemotherapy.
“You’re sitting in the chemo ward, scrolling on Instagram, watching everybody else doing fun things out in the city or traveling,” she shared. “You’re just in a different place emotionally, physically, everything than your peers. You see everything through a different lens.”
Because breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in individuals over 60, Rachel felt misunderstood in her experience at times. “It was tough being a more intimate cancer, as well,” she said. Even medical professionals acknowledged the rarity of the combination of her age and diagnosis.
“One of the first things the doctors or the nurses would say is, ‘You’re too young to be here,’ or ‘We’re so sorry you’re here,'” Rachel said. While it was hard for her to hear at times, she also felt that she created a unique bond with her doctors and nurses that wouldn’t have existed if she wasn’t so young.
Despite the challenges, she found comfort in connecting with others who understood her experience.
Finding Community and Support
The hospital she was receiving treatment at had a strong young adult cancer program, which became a crucial part of Rachel’s journey. “I was crying, as one does upon showing up to a cancer group for the first time,” she shared. “But there was a nurse, and she showed me around the empty chemo ward after hours so I could get a feel of what it was like. She showed me the port needle because I had just got my port, so I was really scared about what that was.”
A dedicated nurse navigator attended her first oncologist appointment as well, providing resources and a direct line of support.
“That made all the difference in my treatment,” Rachel said. “Having somebody I could call and say, ‘Hey, I need you to get me in for this appointment.'”
Undergoing Treatment
Rachel’s treatment plan included six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and targeted infusions for a year. Fortunately, she responded well to chemotherapy. “My tumor shrank out of existence — completely gone. All that was left was scar tissue,” Rachel said. “That made going in for surgery a lot more reassuring.”
As a young person with cancer, the idea of losing her hair during treatment was daunting. To minimize hair loss, she used cold capping, a process that freezes hair follicles during chemo. “I ended up keeping about 60% of my hair,” she shared.
On December 9, 2024, Rachel completed her last targeted infusion, marking the end of her treatment plan.
Life After Breast Cancer
Surviving breast cancer at a young age has given Rachel a new perspective on life. She no longer hesitates to prioritize herself and her happiness. “I have much less of a tolerance for shenanigans,” she laughed.
“I’m much more inclined now to go do the things I want to do instead of holding myself back or making excuses,” she said. “If I want to take a vacation, I’m going to take a vacation.”
Read more on Unique Issues for Young Women with Breast Cancer.
Take Care of Yourself: Young Women Talk About Breast Cancer – PDF
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
