Thank you for the excellent article. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 25. After surgery, radiation and chemo I've been cancer free these many years and even had a baby. For all the young women going through diagnosis and treatment now, my thoughts are with you. There is hope!!
My question is does anyone know of any long-term side effects (10, 20, 30 + years) of radiation and/or chemo? I've recently had some moderate to severe shoulder pain w/arm numbness that has been diagnosed as "shoulder impingement syndrome" but am aware that there can be delayed onset of radiation induced brachial plexus neuropathy well after treatment. I'm curious to know if anyone knows of any studies/trials that address long-term side effects.
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I appreciate this article, good to know that I'm not alone. I am also living proof that young vibrantly healthy women DO get breast cancer. This started in 2007, I knew I felt a lump, but when I got the mammogram the radiologist assured me that there was nothing there. At that time I dismissed it and in 2009 I started to feel more and more a larger mass, the biopsy confirmed my worst fear. I'm really hoping to find or form a support group in my area for young women with cancer. I am 34 now, my son will be 12 and I can't begin to explain this to him.
I am so sorry to hear that your concern was not addressed in 2007. This is one of the issues that young women face -- either the mammogram cannot read through the dense breast tissue or you aren't taken serioudly because of your age. Check with your cancer center or oncologist's office. There may already be a support group for you. Also, see if there is a chapter of the Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org).
And be sure and check back and let us know how you are doing. We hate to have to welcome you into the sorority, but know that once you are here, we support each other every step of the way.