In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in breast cancer diagnoses in young women (under age 50) in the United States. Although breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older women, more young women are being diagnosed, and some with aggressive tumors that require complex treatments. This is why clinical trials are especially important for young women with breast cancer.
Clinical trials not only offer access to new or cutting-edge treatments, but also provide valuable insights to researchers, helping them develop ways to improve care for those facing breast cancer in the future. In this Spotlight on Clinical Trials, we are highlighting some actively recruiting trials that offer promising new options for young women with breast cancer.
Young Breast Cancer Survivors Study
What factors help young breast cancer survivors feel better and stay on track with their treatment after diagnosis? The Young Breast Cancer Survivors Study is an observational study for those diagnosed in the past 10 years. The study is exploring how lifestyle, diet, social support and geography can affect quality of life, recovery and treatment adherence in women who were diagnosed under the age of 50.
What this study could mean for patients:
This data could help personalize care for young women, leading to better support, better nutrition and lifestyle guidance, and removal of barriers to transportation or resources. Ultimately, this study could help young women with breast cancer not just live longer, but thrive emotionally and physically.
CONSYDER trial (Optimizing Surgical Decisions in Young Adults with Breast Cancer)
Can a web-based tool help young women make more informed decisions about breast cancer surgery? The CONSYDER interventional clinical trial is investigating whether an online support tool can improve the surgical decision-making process for young women who are newly diagnosed with stage 0 to 3 breast cancer. The study is currently recruiting 800 women ages 18 to 44.
What this study could mean for patients:
This tool is designed to provide young women with clear and personalized information prior to surgery, helping them understand their options and improve communication with their surgeons. For women facing tough choices right after a diagnosis, this could mean making decisions that truly reflect their priorities and improve long-term quality of life. If trial results are successful, this tool could become a standard part of breast cancer care, offering support for some of the most difficult decisions for patients.
WISDOM (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk) Study
Could personalized screening help detect more potentially aggressive cancers? Through the WISDOM clinical trial, researchers at UC San Francisco are investigating whether a personalized approach to breast cancer screening based on a woman’s individual risk factors like genetics, family history and breast density is as effective as the standard recommendation of annual screening mammograms starting at age 40. This interventional study aims to enroll approximately 100,000 women ages 30 to 70.
What this study could mean for patients:
By including women as young as 30, the WISDOM clinical trial could help identify those at higher risk earlier, allowing them to begin screening sooner and potentially detect aggressive cancers earlier. For women at lower risk, this approach could reduce the number of unnecessary tests and anxiety that often comes with false alarms.
YES (Young, Empowered and Strong) Study
Can a web-based portal improve the experience and well-being of young women with breast cancer? The YES clinical trial, an interventional study led by Komen Chief Scientific Officer and principal investigator Ann Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is studying a new web-based portal called “YES.” This online portal aims to help women ages 18 to 39 with stage 0 to 4 breast cancer better manage symptoms, have access to supportive care information and feel more connected to others during treatment. The YES portal provides symptom check ins and a community discussion board. This study is also collecting clinical and biological research data to better understand breast cancer in younger women.
What this study could mean for patients:
If results of YES are successful, this trial could inspire more supportive, patient-centered care models that enhance quality of life and emotional support for young women, making a meaningful impact on how they navigate breast cancer.
Charting a Course to Better Care
While the rise in breast cancer in young women isn’t fully understood, clinical trials are studying how factors like lifestyle and environment may play a role. Clinical trials not only help researchers better understand the disease, but also give young women access to new treatments while charting a course for better care for future patients.
Talk with your health care provider about clinical trials to learn if there’s one that is right for you. For more information about clinical trials, please call our Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email at clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org to connect with a trained specialist.
You can also visit breastcancertrials.org, which in collaboration with Susan G. Komen®, offers a custom matching service to help find clinical trials that fit your needs.
