Your Mind Your Body

October was National Breast Cancer month, a time that drew significant attention and awareness to breast cancer. But even when the calendar page changes to another month, it’s important to stay aware of this common disease that occurs in 1 in 8 women in the United States, and is most often associated with older women. The risk certainly increases with age, and most women are over 50 when they are diagnosed. But this disease also occurs in younger women.

While most individuals cope very well with breast cancer at any age, the diagnosis, treatment and long-term effects are still difficult and sometimes overwhelming.  Younger women with breast cancer may feel that their experience with the early and ongoing effects of breast cancer and its treatments is different from older women. 

Consider Ann: A 33-year-old single women who had just relocated for a promotion at work and had recently started to date when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer after noticing a lump in her breast.  She regularly came to individual and group therapy sessions during and after chemotherapy to discuss her worries about her new work responsibilities, dating, changes in her body image and sexual desire, and having children.  These are especially common challenges for younger women with breast cancer.

Younger women often do no know other women their age with breast cancer and may feel different from their peer group–more alone or isolated because of their cancer. They feel that their adult lives—often ones that are just getting started—are interrupted. Careers, significant relationships, starting a family or recreational plans may go on hold because of treatments. If single, they may worry about finances if they need time off from work, dating, how to disclose their diagnosis, and fear rejection.  Younger women experience more challenges with their body image and sexual health if they had chemotherapy. And they often worry that cancer treatment will interfere with having or adopting children.

These are real and often upsetting concerns for young women with breast cancer. But there are helpful steps younger women can take during and after treatments to improve their well-being.

• Connect with other young women with breast cancer. Women can find support online, at the cancer treatment center, in groups, or through organizations such as Young Survival Coalition.  Attend conferences for young women with breast cancer sponsored by Living Beyond Breast Cancer and other groups. Obtain  information about reproductive options from Fertile Hope.
• Talk with your friends about your interest in dating and remember that you are not just a woman with breast cancer. Men (and women if interested in same sex relationships) have health issues as well. You still have to talk with potential sexual partners about their health and sexual history and remember that not all dates are a good match.  Improve your body image through exercise.  Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as walking 3-5 times a week reduces risk for recurrence among women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer.  Regular aerobic exercise also improves body image, reduces anxiety, improves sleep, helps us concentrate better, and may reduce hot flashes, among other good benefits.
• Talk with your oncologists or gynecologist if you are having difficulties with your body image or sexual health.  Studies show that changes in sexual desire and satisfaction are more common among young women who have received chemotherapy, and especially among individuals who have gone through early menopause because of chemotherapy. Fortunately, effective treatment options are available to improve body image and sexual satisfaction.

• Talk with your oncologist as soon as possible after diagnosis of your breast cancer about your reproductive or adoption concerns and ask for a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist with expertise in fertility options for women with cancer.  Also, for additional information, see www.fertilehope.com

Photo by Steve Beger Photography

Filed under: Chronic Illness & Disease Management, Relationships, Resilience, Women