Though most women who get breast cancer are over age 50, many younger women are also affected. With early detection and proper treatment, most of these young women can expect to live a long time. While this is good news, starting down the path of survivorship at an earlier age than most women with breast cancer can bring unique concerns.
Loss of fertility
One of the main concerns for young cancer survivors is loss of fertility. The early menopause that can be caused by chemotherapy can be very difficult for women who had hoped to either have a first child or add to the family they already have. For women who don't go through early menopause,
tamoxifen therapy can shorten the window of time to have children. Because tamoxifen can cause birth defects, it's important for women to wait until they are off the drug before becoming pregnant. For information on steps women can take before and during treatment to increase their chances of being able to have children, see the
Treatment section.
Other issues
Concerns about body image and sexuality can also be difficult for younger survivors. The long-term health effects of early menopause, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, can be a worry as well. For more information on these topics, see the
After Treatment home page.
Many young survivors feel a sense of isolation. Though they share many concerns with older survivors, younger women need to be able to share their thoughts and feelings with women who are at a similar stage of life. Other young survivors are juggling similar priorities, such as raising a family and working. Many hospitals and community centers organize support groups for young survivors. The Internet is also a good resource. Many websites, such as the Young Survival Coalition, offer chat rooms and e-mail discussion groups where young survivors can share their common experiences. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® offers a Message Board and a Forum for young breast cancer survivors.
Updated 03/14/09
