Young women with breast cancer a few years on

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with BC in May 2023 and have been through chemo, surgery and radio and am now on hormone treatment. I was 29 when diagnosed. I have good days and bad days, and still feel like I’m on a bit of a rollercoaster. On my bad days, I think about how I hardly ever hear of any stories of women who were diagnosed with BC in their 20s/30s who are living a full and happy life years on. I know they must be out there, hoping for some inspiration for my bad days. Sending love x

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Hi, I had the same treatment as you aged 36. I am now 55, 18 years on and fit healthy, taking part in triathlons, half marathons, skiing, cycling anything outdoors. Hang in there, the bad days will pass . Best wishes.

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Hi!

I’m in a very similar situation to yourself- was also diagnosed aged 29. My diagnosis was March 2022 so I’m over 2 years out now and doing okay. It is hard as I also don’t know anyone in real life who was diagnosed as young as I was and is now doing well. However let’s hope we are going to set a new trend :joy:

Sometimes I go down the rabbit hole and have really bad days still where I Google statistics etc but at the end of the day statistics only tell part of the story and just because I personally don’t know any young women years later doesn’t mean they aren’t out there! On this forum as well it’s more likely to be people who are in active treatment/have had a a reoccurrence.

Hopefully it will become easier as each year passes- Just have to try living for now in the meantime.

:heart:

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Aw that’s brilliant- This gives me hope! Don’t think I’ll be doing any triathlons any time soon but don’t think I can blame the Cancer for that one (though I probably will try) :rofl:

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It gets easier the further away from diagnosis you get. I coped by planning stuff at regular intervals, holidays, catch up with friends, bike ride whatever you like, it encourages you to focus forward, and definitely try some new stuff :grinning:

Thanks for commenting edp, really nice to hear you are 18 years on!

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Thanks for commenting fhs92, yeah let’s hope we set a good trend! Looking forward to seeing if anyone else comments giving us some positive motivation. Sending love x

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I feel the same as you. Im 28 and feel like my life has been given a time limit now and go down a dark road of “Im not going to be able to grow up”

HOWEVER, I read in one of the books I got, that its important to remember that once people have been through their treatment and are out the other side, they normally just want to move on from it and leave it in the past, so thats why there are little to none posts from people saying “im … years from diagnosis” but those people are out there!

Unfortunately my mum passed away from cancer in 2020, however, my auntie has been cancer free for 5 years now and is living her best life, shes just become a grandmother, she retired early and is happy at home with her bunnies :joy:.

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Hi lovely, I am not as young as you, but diagnosed shortly after my 40th (which still feels young!). I had to have mastectomy without immediate reconstruction, which I have only just had. For 18months I felt like a lesser women. But, as someone else says, it does get easier the further from diagnosis you get, but Im also aware the hormone treatment and side effects is a daily reminder. Make sure youre open and honest with those around you so that they can be empathetic and go and do everything you want to do. Its made me realise that we should live life, do the things we want to do and dont have any regrets. Sending love xxx

Hi Jess. I was diagnosed when I was 28. Now I’m 34, and I’ve just come off Tamoxifin after 5 years. So officially finished my treatment! In the beginning I found it hard to plan/think more than a week, or month ahead. But when treatment stops taking up your day to day life, you can start living more freely and planning for the future (even if it doesnt feel like that now). I think being diagnosed with cancer at a young age forces you to grapple with your own mortality, and in a weird way feels like a privilege that now I can move forward living a life without regret and pressure, and has helped me decide what is important in life. Keep going, you’ve got this! Life is a roller coaster; yours is just a particularly scary ones at times, which means that the lows can be really hard, but the highs can also be amazing! Good luck.

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Thank you agb1, you words really resonated with me and its great to hear you are done with tamoxifen!

Hi jess
I am not quite there yet only had my first session of chemo. Im having my next one next week. 6 rounds in total and herceptin injection with each cycle
Im 33 and just want to let you know you are another inspiration on my list!
I have not come accross anyone young either so i just wanted to join in on this post.
Jemma x

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Hi, thought i would just say hi. I was 29 when i was first diagnosed. Nice to see other people around the same age.

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Hey, thanks for commenting, sometimes it’s just helpful to know you aren’t the only one going through this at our age. How are you getting on with your treatment? X

Hi, so my first diagnosed I was 29. Sadly and unlucky for me it came back. Im now 35, had a single mastectomy this time and just going through hormone treatment. I have leuprorelin injections and anastrozole. I started on bisphosphonates tablets but got heartburnt with them so waiting to change to the drip type.
How are finding your hormone treatments?

I’m sorry to hear that @mirkwood42_1, hope you are doing okay X I’m on Zoladex and exemestane, finding it not too bad, but achey joints and hot flushes are annoying I have started the IV drip bisphosphonates, had one so far which wasn’t bad. Some good days and bad days! Xx

Yeah the hot flushes are annoying. I also have the chills too with it. So go one extreme to the other. I carry round 2 different zip tops at work, a fleece then a light weight one. Forever having to change round.
I’ve just started going for acupuncture to help target the hot flushes. Only had my first session so hopefully soon will see benefits.
For your achy joints, maybe a Epsom salt bath? Or I sometimes treat myself to a lush bathbomb.
I start my iv drip in 2 weeks times. Just wondering how long you were having the drip done? The nurses just say a few hours (which is a little vague).
Hope you have more good days then bad. Xx

Yeah I love my baths so will get some epsom salts! :slight_smile: the infusion only takes 15-20 min, so super quick and I was allowed to go home straight away. So only in the hosp for about an hour in total.

Hiya,

It is good to read your post and the other comments.

I was diagnosed in August 2022 when I was 39.

I’m nearly at 2 out of my 5 years on tamoxifen. I have night sweats and mood swings and developed mild lymphoedema, but generally I am ok.

Although I’m still only 41, my main passion is my garden and whilst I leave the heavier jobs like digging for my wife, I am trying to focus on the garden.

I am also enjoying getting out for walks and have recently started Pilates, which I love.

My energy levels are up and down, not sure if it’s the tamoxifen or radiotherapy, but I try to be honest with people and plan time for rest into my diary. I am still working the balance out.

I go to a local support group and whilst most people are older, some have been going there for 20 years and still going strong! That gives me hope.

Katie x

Thanks, glad the infusion doesnt take too long.

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