Well done tors, i’ve added the fb photo, i am also top end of being young, 45. It seems its so common nowadays and mammograms need to be brought down in the age they start. I found mine just watching tv, and although small it had already gone to a grade 3. i could have so easily just ignored it.
Thank you for reading and commenting ladies. Have a look at another thread, how did you find your lump/symptoms which highlights further the lack of awareness in younger women and , scarily, the medical profession.
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/community/forums/how-did-you-find-your-lumpsymptoms
This is just a thought I had, apologies if its already been suggested, but what about a breast cancer buddy scheme in hospitals where breast care nurses could put younger women in touch with someone of a similar age locally with whom they can share their breast cancer experiences.
Being diagnosed at a young age with breast cancer whilst all your friends are getting married, buying houses, moving abroad, having kids is an isolating experience enough as it is, but when you are 20 years younger than everyone else in the chemo suite and 40 years younger than others undergoing breast surgery you can be left feeling utterly utterly alone. Whilst family and friends may be hugely supportive, they can never fully understand the process you are going through and the emotions therein.
Such a scheme would’ve benefitted me greatly and I did ask my nurses if I could be put in touch with someone my age who was happy to talk about their experiences. However, because there was no formal mechanism in place for facilitating this nothing ever came of it despite me being told that there were lots of people my age in the area who would be happy to chat.
I have a friend who is a health visitor, she always talks to young mums about breast checking but this obviously isn’t standard. I like the idea of a ‘breast’ that can be used to show women how to check - I was pretty breast aware as my mum died of post menopausal BC, but wasn’t able to feel my lump. I went to my GP because I was aware of changes that could be seen (‘orange peel’ skin and change in breast shape). The health profs were able to feel the lump, so perhaps with better advice on how to check I would have found it sooner.
I think the idea of a Dove style campaign aimed at younger women is a great one. Thanks Tors for starting this thread (and the facebook page - go girl!)
Alix xx
Ahh you’re welcome alix x
I have been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 expecting my first child.
The only reason I found the lump was because I sprained my shoulder when going shopping. Sprain went but my lump didn’t. Now my Mum had DCIS so I had niggling doubts about the lump hence why I went to my GP. My GP didn’t think it was anything but had to refer me (by procedure) and her husband (my breast consultant) didn’t think it was anything but they had to do a biopsy.
Admittedly 
and I don’t mean to be rude but my husband checks my breasts. He never felt anything. I think the only reason it ‘moved’ was because of the pregnancy perhaps. I don’t know.
I have seen campaigns on TV (BBC three I think) about how to check your boobs and may be this should be something discussed at smears etc. more (not just a leaflet). Who’s going to read a leaflet. Women need to be shown.
Since diagnosis I have pretty much drummed into all my friends, family and colleagues that they should get themselves, friends and families checked for anything suspicious.
Sorry this post probably wasn’t much help. Just glad I got my lump checked when I did as mine was a grade 3 HER 2 positive cancer.
Just trying to get through chemo with a baby on the way now. xx
Thanks for commenting everybody. Do any other younger ladies want to add their views? X
Tors, what a great idea - I feel very strongly that there is a big gap around BC for younger women. Both in making them aware that they are at risk too, but also in supporting them while they are going through treatment. Reading through the posts on this thread I am afrad to say that I am glad there are other people who seem to be in a similar position to me. Obv I’m not glad that they have BC, but glad to know that I’m not on my own. I was diagnosed aged 35 earlier this year while breastfeeding my 8 month old. I have 1 round of chemo left to go before I then have surgery, rads and hormone therapy. My surgeon refused to operate while I was still lactating(!). I started my treatment while on matnerity leave and am now back at work 3 days a week while I continue it.
It’s not just dealing with having cancer, it’s dealing with having cancer and getting on with life, a young baby, parents, siblings, friends, etc. Everyone who knows has been shocked and suprised that I (and therefore they) could get it. I am trying to keep things as normal as possible - I haven’t told everyone, I’m having the cold cap, but people who haven’t seen me for a while keep asking what I’ve done to my face. Nothing I say, without mentioning that it could be becuase I have no eyelashes or eyebrows left.
Let me know what I can do to help!
Hiya Swoot. Thanks for the post, I couldn’t agree more with what you have said. The Facebook group is great for me just by it’s existence, as seeing the profile pics of younger women from around the country who have also had breast cancer really does make me feel less isolated, and normalises it to an extent. A the moment I am just concentrating on the Fb group as it is taking up quite a lot of time, but already it is becoming self sustaining, with lots of comments and chat, and some ladies who live local to one another are arranging a meet up, which has made me really chuffed.
Breast cancer care are doing a live chat for younger women next week (22 nov), it’s their first one for younger women I think, there is a regular one for people with a secondary diagnosis which I believe is very helpful and well used. Young ladies need to connect, and this might be one way of doing it, without what you say ending up so public to all and sundry.
I think that main cancer hospitals should make more effort to join up young ladies in their area, at different units, going through this at the same time. I think a younger ladies awareness campaign next pinktober would be fantastic, and I am hopeful that BCC may get on board with that. It would be great to have help and support from you, thank you xxx
The only silver lining in finding out I had breast cancer was being described as a younger woman…at 49!
I had been having regular screening as my sister had breast cancer at 33 (14 years ago-she survived all the treatment and had another baby-so good news there). I felt i was being very dilligent and was diagnosed with dcis 5-6 years ago. I had tissue removed and radiotherapy but counted myself very lucky.
I continued to have regular mamograms which were all clear. A very astute doctor felt something abnormal when examining me and to cut a long story short turns out it is breast cancer.
I did not know that mamograms do not pick up 20% of cancers. I think this needs to be more widely publicised-esp for younger woman with more dense breasts. Had I know, I may have found the lump earlier and avoided chemo
I agree with the beckster33 and Manny. I was diagnosed at 37, 8 months pregnant, the mammogram showed nothing cause the breast tissue was dense. But the ultrasound was great showed it clearly. I think a quick ultrasound would be better for younger women and not expose them to radiation like a mamogram would and gets around the dense breast tissue
I think that health visitors need to balance the pro breast feeding message. I’ve seen the posters in the health centre stating ‘breast feeding can protect you from cancer’ and I think they are very misleading. and gives a false sense of security. One of my friends actually said that she was’nt worried and did’nt check herself because she had breast feed both her kids.
Totally agree about the ‘breast cancer doesn’t hurt’ comment from docs/health care professionals. Mine did, and for that I am thankful, as that’s when I knew something was very wrong. One week later, the nipple started retracting and I went to see my doctor, who confirmed after lumpectomy that it was grade 2 IDC. Unfortunately I have also since been disgnsed with DCIS in the ‘good’ breast. I have no family history and am 31. It happens to us, and the sooner the world recognises that it is happening, then the more we can prevent later stage disgnosis of young womens’ breast cancer. It isn’t something we should be dying of.
A ‘Dove’ style campaign would be amazing. I am already a media volunteer with BCC and am part of Tors’ group on FB, which has been an absolute godsend; I really would have felt incredibly lonely without those women on there. I have a friend who had breast cancer a couple of years ago, but she luckily did not need chemo or rads, which I do. She also does not want children, which I do. Having women that I can talk to about these issues is doing more for my mental health than talkign to a professional. I’m grateful that everything is being done to try and rid me of this for ever, but am equally as grateful to the support groups out there for younger women. I have certainly raised awareness in my group of friends and colleagues, who now all check themselves regularly.
I’ll definitely be behind any campaign to raise awareness of this, 100%.