Diagnosed one month ago, aged 24.

Hi, my name is Emma. I have been wanting to post on here for a while, but just didn't know what to say, but desperately wanting some support. I am 24 years old, and found a lump a few months ago. My doctor sent me home to wait 6 weeks to see if it went away as they didn't believe it would be cancer. It didn't go away, so I had an ultrasound, mammogram and core biopsy. They never thought it was cancer, but the biopsy came back inconclusive, so I was sent to a breast surgeon to have it removed. They took it out and I went back a week later, and was told it was breast cancer. I have no history in my family, and I am 24... so really couldn't believe it, but even from the start had a bad feeling. I tend to think the worst of situations, as my sister passed away when I was 12.. so quite often expect the worst. I was told I would have another surgery to remove more tissue to try to get clear margins and to get some lymph nodes taken out.

My doctor and surgeon seem baffled as normally cancer in young people tends to be aggressive, but mine is a grade 1, 17mm lump, with 7mm of invasive surrounding the lump, so technically this is a 'good cancer' as I have been told, but normally presents in older women. It is 95% oestrogen +, and they didn't expect to find any cancer in my lymph nodes, but one of three that they took, had a small amount of cancer. This really scares me. I was sent straight for genetic testing, and have sent the cancer itself for genomic testing in the US, more information the better I am hoping. I have seen an oncologist, radiotherapist, and tomorrow seeing a fertility clinic. I just feel overwhelmed with information, and so scared of the long term future. The medical team is unsure what to do, as normally they would remove the lump and have radiotherapy and that's it, but they are leading towards wanting to over treat me because of my age... so possibly double mastectomy, chemo, and 10 years of tamoxifen and ovarian suppression..

I cannot think of anything but this... all the time... Thank you for those who will read this, I really appreciate it. :)

young-women

em_24
Member
9 years ago
Thank you so much everyone, I really appreciate it. Yes @Ne, I got the My Journey Kit as soon as I was diagnosed. It was really helpful, but I am thinking I might read it again as things have settled in a bit more. Thanks @socoda, yes I feel very similar. I think because of that small bit in my lymph node, I thought that meant I would have chemo. But my oncologist said that because it is grade 1, it is possible that chemo may not do anything as the cells are not dividing fast enough. I am sure I will get to the point of not worrying soon enough.

Thank you as well @iserbrown, how do you feel being on Tamoxifen and Zoladex? I will, thank you again xxx
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
Hi Emma! I remember when I was your age that I was extremely confident in who I was and where I was at. No, I wasn't your age when diagnosed but I would imagine that at 24 you would be similar to the younger me! Tests have proven that Tamoxifen for 10 years is a good outcome. We're on the same treatment Tamoxifen and Zoladex. Chemo is what we all know of prior to being diagnosed, but once you're in this predicament you then come to find out that chemo is not the preferred treatment for everyone.

Good luck with your surgeon appointment on Wednesday! Remember they are wanting to give you the best possible and we are all here willing you on. Easier said than done but don't get too head up about follow up scans, it is routine! Please come back here and let us know how you are travelling!
Take care xx
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi em_24, I also had Grade 1 (certainly not as young as you ;)) but with no nodes involved and have had mastectomy with no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I felt at first that I was being neglected by only having tamoxifen HOWEVER my radiotherapy oncologist put my mind at ease by telling me that should I go ahead with say chemotherapy given my cancer was a grade 1 that I would more than likely be doing my body more damage and it wasn't necessary. That has helped me come to terms with the idea of no further active treatment and I now concentrate on how lucky I was to have a grade 1 cancer. All the best and I hope you can get to the point of less worrying. Xx Cath
Ne
Member
9 years ago
Aaauw sweetheart it is all so normal to feel the way you do. i agree with everyone whos posted here. what i wanted to add was that you should stick to your gut feeling. if you decide that you want a double mastectomy then stick to your guns and make sure your wishes ate heard. Don't be talked out of, or in to anything you aren't 100% happy with. I was glad to have my healthy breast removed after aggressive cancer in the other. it gave me some relief from anxiety of an occurrence. You know your body best. Have you received the My Journey Kit yet? it is very helpful and can put your mind at ease to look at it and read through the bits that applies to you. Knowledge is power. xxx Keep us posted how you travel
primek
Member
9 years ago
Your team would choose the best treatment for you based on lots of knowledge and lots of research. By taking extra nodes they are checking if any more are affected or not. If they really felt you needed chemo, they would have offered it. We all worry about metastases and the repeat scan in 6 months is probably more for reassurance. All of us appreciate the confusion, I know I second guessed decisions and worried that even though I didn't have nodes ...should I be having radiotherapy anyway? However once the decision is settled and you are on your way in treatment, you will start to feel more secure. Hope all goes well and medication side effects are minimal. Kath x
em_24
Member
9 years ago
Thanks for your kind and supportive words everyone. Thanks @Ne, I am okay, although I am finding things harder as they go along. All I can think about is it coming back in the future. I feel really torn about my treatment, my medical team and second opinions have recommended no chemo.. which I find hard to believe given my age, but they said that they believe it would give no benefits. Although it is a grade 1, they were all surprised to find that I had micromets in one lymph node.. which I why I find it hard to understand that chemo would be no benefit. They also noticed a spot on my rib in my bone scan, which they said was not cancer and it was fine, but when I saw my oncologist she said she would do another scan in 6 months to check it... so not I have started worrying a lot about that!

I have been given prescriptions for tamoxifen and zoladex.. and if I can handle that they said they would then change from tamoxifen to aromatose inhibiters. This would be for the next 10 years. I feel really concerned about how I am going to go with all of that.. I see my surgeon on Wednesday as I am leaning towards a double mastectomy, but I am not sure when that would happen. The surgeon said she would treat the lymph nodes by removing more, but that just doesn't feel like it is enough treatment. My medical team are really good, but I just feel like I have endless questions. I understand that my outlook is good and I am lucky it is not aggressive.. but I am definitely finding it hard to see that at the moment as all I do is worry and think about this constantly. Thank you xxx
baybeeh_gurl
Member
9 years ago
Hey @em_24 ! I am sorry to hear you are going through this at your age. I can most definetly relate having been diagnosed 2 months ago at the age of 28 with no family history- the whole thing has been a shock. And since then it has been an emotional journey filled with medical tests, specialist appts, surgery, having my eggs frozen, genetic testing to have started my first chemo session just last friday!

Look after yourself and take each day as it comes. Ive been on this forum and have found the support and wealth of knowledge and experience from everyone here to be amazing!
xoxo
Ne
Member
9 years ago
@em_24 Hi Em, I was just checking in to see if you are ok chicky. Have your medical team come to a definite decision about treatment yet? We are here for you if you wanted to talk. Hope your mind has stopped racing and that you feel more empowered to carry on. Big hug x Rene
Ro10
Member
9 years ago
Hi Emma, so sorry that you have had to join this group, especially at such a young age, but there are so many wonderful, supportive women here that can help you get through, and they actually understand all the stress and emotions around your diagnosis.
I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago at age 34 so it was also a shock for me and I was initially told to expect the worst due to my age but it turned out my cancer is quite common and there are a lot of treatment options. My surgeon actually told me that it's a good time to be getting breast cancer (not that there is EVER a good time!) as there has been so much research into breast cancer and it's all coming to fruition now. Please know that A LOT of people survive breast cancer and go on to live healthy happy lives so try and focus on that being a real possibility for you. Like the other lovely ladies here have said, the My Journey kit is a wealth of knowledge and can be ordered off the BCNA website. It will give you lots of info re treatment and some questions you may want to ask your medical team.
Visit this forum often if you ever need a chat, advice, reassurance or just to vent. I have found some lovely supportive women here and you may also be able to connect with some people in your age group that are facing similar challenges like fertility issues etc.
Take care xx
Rochelle
Melhay
Member
9 years ago
Hello Emma,
Very sorry for the reason you've found yourself here.
Your head must be spinning right now with the barrage of information coming at you.
Just know that your treatment team are doing their very best to ensure you don't have to go through this again down the track. That said, you are still the one who has to live with the effects of the surgery & treatment so be sure to ask all the questions you need of your health care team & or here.

Take care

Mel xx