You’re young. You’ve got your whole future ahead of you. You’ve got plans, which might include a career to build, kids to raise, people to love and a future to chase.
And then, out of left field comes something you weren’t planning to hear: “You’ve got breast cancer.”
It’s not something you expected to face, especially at this point in your life.
A breast cancer diagnosis is a shock, no matter your age. But when you’re young, it’s different – it can knock the wind right out of your sails.
To some an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis can feel like the plans you made are now less feasible and maybe even impossible. Some may describe it as “a detour,” but it may also feel like “a major roadblock.”
While your peers are racing towards their dreams in the fast lane, you’ve got what feels like a mountain in front of you, blocking you from seeing ahead to your future.
You may be faced with some very difficult questions:
“How is this going to impact my career?”
“Will this affect my fertility?”
“How is my body going to change?”
“Can I even afford the medicine to help me live?”
“How will this impact my relationships?”
The good news is that an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis means it has been caught before stage 4, when breast cancer becomes metastatic and travels to other organs in your body. With treatment, the chances of survival for young women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer are good. But it’s still no walk in the park as breast cancers in younger women can be more aggressive than breast cancers in older women.
In summary, young women with breast cancer face unique issues.
And, unfortunately, breast cancer in young women is more common now than ever before.
I’ve been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, now what?
At Komen, we understand the thoughts and questions that may be racing through your mind. This is one reason we offer support through Komen’s Patient Care Center patient navigators. These are people who walk beside you through every step of the process, from initial diagnosis, through the ups and downs of treatment, to post-treatment follow-ups and beyond.
Patient navigators can help you better understand your options, ask the right questions, and make sure you’re not going through this alone. They’re here to be a listening ear and support you, while offering educational, emotional and practical guidance every step of the way.
When you’re diagnosed at a younger age, it’s also so important to have a care team in place that gets it. They need to understand the unique challenges you face, like fertility issues and potentially early menopause. They need to see and hear you – not only your age, but your lifestyle, your values and goals and your plans – because you are more than a diagnosis. You are a valued person with hopes and dreams, and your life truly matters.
You don’t have to go through breast cancer alone. There are other young women out there who’ve been where you are. It’s important to build a community of support and trust with others.
Remember: A breast cancer diagnosis is not your whole story. It’s just one part of your story. It doesn’t have to derail your life, and it might just help you see life through a different lens.
Advocate for the care you deserve. Use available tools and resources from Komen.org. Create your support circle. Express your fears and your dreams. Ask the hard questions. Take care of yourself.
While you’re not too young for breast cancer, the good news is that there are resources to help you through it. Visit Komen.org to learn more or to get involved.
If you or a loved one could use the support of a patient navigator, please contact Komen’s Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN or helpline@komen.org.
