Hi I am 23 and got Diagnosed on thursday (29th) with Invasive Ductal breast cancer (IDBC). I haven’t yet seen anyone of my age on here that has been diagnosed. I have so many questions, as all i know is that it is less than 2cm and hasn’t spread anywhere else in the breast’s. Reading the information i have been given is very overwhelming and has left me with more questions than answers as i haven’t been told what stage the cancer is yet or anything other than I have it. I suppose it would just nice to know what to expect.
So sorry you’ve had to join us - and at such a young age too. I was diagnosed at 33 in May. A whole decade older than you - but facing many of the same issues that face younger women battling this disease - my biggest concern at the moment (after beating this thing) is my fertility as I would desperately love a family of my own.
I have met some other girls in their late 20s and there are some girls on here who went through it in their early 20s.
Do you know what the plan of action is regarding surgery and treatment? The oncologists will throw everything at you as you are so young, but don’t panic - it’s nowhere nearly as bad as you are probably imagining it is. My worst side effects from chemo were tiredness and queasiness - like a slight hangover - but no sickness or anything. I also kept most of my hair by using the cold cap. I did lose my eyelashes and eyebrows at the end, but they grew back really quickly and I just used a good eyebrow pencil and eyeliner. If you are facing more than a lumpectomy the recon options are fantastic. I had a bilateral mastectomy and was so worried about what I was going to look like, but am looking forward to getting my new boobs this year and am sure they will look great.
Have you got support in the form of family and friends? Make sure you take care of yourself and accept or ask for help if you need it. Hopefully you’ll find this forum a great support and I would strongly recommend the BCC Young Women’s Forum to meet other similar aged girls in a similar position.
Hopefully some other young 'uns will be along shortly to share their experiences.
Firstly, welcome to the discussion forums, I’m sure you’ll find them a great source of information and support.
Whilst you’re waitng for others to come along, I thought you might like to read one of our factsheets. It’s specifically aimed at younger women and I’ve given the link below:
Hi KT, really sorry to have you join us. It really is a bag of cr@p to suddenly have your world turned upside down with this sledgehammer. There is a thread already for ladies in their 20s who have been diagnosed so I will bump it up for you whilst you are waiting for one of them to pop into the forum. I wish you all the very very best, be kind to yourself
hi, im 40 and got diagnosed with breast cancer on thurs 29th, wont know what type of cancer it is till i go back the hospital on friday, but ive never been so scared in all my life x
Sandytoes, I have amazing support from my partner family friends and work. TBH not being able to have children is all i am worried about. I think that i would be able to face anything that it chucks at me but being infertile i wouldn’t be able to cope with as i have always wanted to be a mum. They said that i will probably be on hormone tablets after the operation, and not yet mentioned anything about chemo. I just have to take things as they come, and will find out more tuesday. You have made me feel better about loosing my hair. I think it was the fact that the doctor even said that I was very young to have BC that made me panic at first.
Debcas, I know that only just being told makes your mind race and you start to panic, and I’m sure like everyone on here you think, Why me? But after the shock went personally I have excepted what i have and know that I will be ok, and I’m sure you will to. Have you got support from others?
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, I hope you will find them helpful.
I’m sorry to read of your diagnosis, the first few weeks can be difficult when coming to terms with things and getting to grips with your treatment plans, etc.
You might find it helpful to order the BCC resources pack. It has been specifically designed for those newly diagnosed and contains information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If you would like to order a copy just follow the link bellow:-
Also, if you need any further support or information the helpline will be open again from tomorrow and then normal opening hours, which are. 9-5 Monday to Friday and 9-2 Saturday. The number is 0808 800 6000.
Hi KT,
I was 24 when i was diagnosed (9th Feb 2010). Cant believe it has been 2 yrs already!!! I know exactly how you feel it is all so overwhelming its almost as if its not really happening. If you have any questions please just ask me i will help you any way that I can.
I had invasive ductal carcinoma (3cm tumor), no nodes, ER and PR +. I had chemo first then I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and because mine was hormone positive im taking Tamoxifen for 5 yrs.
regarding fertility, the general opinion is the younger you are the more likely it is that your fertility will return to what it was pre chemo. If you do need to take hormone tablets (tamoxifen) like me you can not get pregnant while you are on them as they can harm the baby.
If you want to know anything about these or any other issues ill try to help you.
Sorry you’ve had to join the rest of us on here with this disease. I was 32 when I was diagnosed in August last year, I’ve completed my chemo and have just had my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and will be finished rads in May.
I don’t have any children and like you was really worried about becoming infertile. I spoke in length about this to my BC nurse. What I was told was that being young, there is a greater chance our ovaries will not be affected but there are no guarantees. They offered me a 4 weekly injection of Zoladex which temporarily shuts down your ovaries to protect them - of course I jumped at the chance. I’m on them for 2 years from when I started which was when I also started chemo, I’m also on Tamoxiflen now as well, if I want to try for a family I can come off them for a while as far as I understand. It might be worthwhile asking your BC Nurse if Zoladex would be an option for you too?
I hope this is helpful and best of luck to you. I promise the time will fly by, it seems to much to take in at the start but before you know it you’ll be finished your treatment.
Hello! I’m new to all of this on here and would just like you to know I’m 21 years of age and got
Diagnosed in November/December with exactly the same!! Ive had my operations and I’m starting my chemotherapy on Friday!
It’s scary as it is for anyone but I have had the best care and if u do want to talk to someone around the same age then you know I am!! I’m not sure I’ve replies to much as I’m just working this out hehe xx
