Breast cancer is a type of cancer that mainly affects older women, but in rare cases, it can also affect women younger than 45 years of age. According to the United States statistics, around 9% of all new cases of breast cancer are found in women under 45.Although the risk of breast cancer is low in women in their 20s and 30s, it is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer among young women in Australia and also the most common cause of death from cancer.The risk of breast cancer is due to a combination of factors, such as being a woman and getting older. Studies have shown that young women are more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive types of breast cancer, such as triple negative breast cancer. This can have a detrimental effect on a young woman's career progression and future earning potential.Breast Cancer Network Australia provides emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer, including information and personal stories about young women with breast cancer.
They also provide resources on the impact of treatment on fertility, early menopause and pregnancy.The effects of chemotherapy on fertility depend on several factors, such as a woman's age and the type of drugs she receives. Most hormone therapies for breast cancer are given for 5 years to prevent the cancer from recurring. After 5 years, a woman's fertility may have naturally declined.Treatments for breast cancer can reduce fertility temporarily or permanently, but this does not mean that it is impossible to get pregnant during or after treatment. For example, although hormone therapies for breast cancer can cause menstrual periods to stop, this does not necessarily mean that a woman cannot become pregnant while taking hormone therapy.
Women who are sexually active while taking tamoxifen should use effective birth control if they don't want to get pregnant during this time.Physical problems faced by young women due to breast cancer treatments may include fatigue, trouble sleeping, weight gain, cardiovascular health problems, and reduced bone mineral density. Psychological problems caused by breast cancer treatments may include feelings such as loss of femininity and sexual attractiveness.Young women often feel socially isolated or alone during and after breast cancer treatment, even if they are surrounded by supportive family and friends. A variety of online resources are available for young women, such as the BCNA discussion panel that connects diagnosed young women.Fear of recurrence is the fear that breast cancer may come back in the breast or in another part of the body. This affects any woman diagnosed with breast cancer, but young women must live much longer with this fear.
Even after successful breast cancer treatment, many of those affected live in constant fear that the cancer will return.Organized breast cancer screening aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage in women. In Australia, BreastScreen Australia performs population screening tests and includes mammograms (an X-ray of the breast). Because there is currently insufficient evidence that mammography is an effective national breast cancer screening strategy for young women, routine breast exams are not offered for those under 40.An effective method for the early detection of breast cancer in young women is breast knowledge. Women of all ages should be aware of what their breasts normally look and feel like and report any changes (new or unusual) to their primary care doctor without delay.Young women classified as at high risk of developing breast cancer should talk to their primary care doctor about an individual routine screening program.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast (especially if it is only in one breast), a change in the shape or size of the breast or nipple, dimple formation on the skin or discharge from the nipple or blood from the nipple, rash or changes in the skin surrounding the breast, persistent pain in the breasts or armpits, swelling or lump in the armpit.These changes don't necessarily mean that a young woman has breast cancer. However, if a young woman notices these or any other changes in her breasts, she should consult her doctor.Young women need to know the normal look and feel of their breasts in order to detect any changes. Young women can request regular breast checks with their doctor. Below are some of the NBCF-funded researchers who focused on developing better screening tests for women with dense breasts.Towards better
