Younger Women's Movement news for younger women
October 2009

October is breast cancer awareness month and here is one story:

We NEVER thought it would happen to one of us, at least not so soon. Actually, correct that - breast cancer was something we didn't even think about. After all, we just graduated college in 2006 and we had been celebrating our quarter-century birthdays with concerns about jobs, graduate degrees, med school, money, typical mid-twenties issues. Then, about a few months ago, that all changed.

In college I had a group of eight very close female friends, we did everything together. After graduation there were e-mail chain updates, phone calls and random chances to see each other, it was great to keep in touch and hear what was new.

"I'm writing you all just to brief you on a little operation I'm having this Friday," was the first line of a June 2009 e-mail from my friend Alicia, telling us she was having a lump in her breast removed. "No big deal" was what she told us, and since she is the med student, we all believed her.

Unfortunately, it was a big deal: stage III invasive ductal carcinoma. You can read her story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/aliciahuff. Since this diagnosis we have all be awakened. Awakened to the power of cancer, the power of love, the power of early detection and the power of one woman in particular, our friend Alicia. She is an absolutely amazing person and is fighting this cancer with unwavering strength. Her message now, especially as a soon-to-be doctor, is clear: feel your breasts no matter what age you are!

I am writing you today to share her story, ask for positive thoughts for her fight and also to remind you how important it is to be aware of your body and changes to it. Check out the Tips section written by Alicia herself and take note because breast cancer at age 25 is possible and it happened to one of us.

Sincerely, Kelly Murphy YWTF Board Member

In this issue
  • Ten Breast Health Tips for Young Women
  • The EARLY ACT
  • Take Action! Urge your senators to support the EARLY Act
  • Replacing Things Lost
  • Breast cancer detection for young women
  • Tweens challenged by grown-up malady: Breast cancer

  • The EARLY ACT

    From Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

    Breast cancer is a disease that knows no boundaries. It strikes women from all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities, the rich and the poor, the old and the young.

    Yes, you did read that last part correctly. Despite the perception, young women can and do get breast cancer and the result can be devastating.

    In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 182,460 new cases of breast cancer in women. Of these cases, more than 10,000 - 11,000 of these women would be under 40 years of age.

    Although the incidence of breast cancer in young women is much lower than that of older women, young women's breast cancers are generally more aggressive, are diagnosed at a later stage, and result in lower survival rates. In fact, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women under the age of 40.


    Take Action! Urge your senators to support the EARLY Act

    From Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance

    When breast cancer occurs in women under age 45, it is often detected at later stages, is more likely to be aggressive, and less likely to be responsive to hormone therapies. There is a lack of awareness about the risks of breast cancer for young women and the unique challenges facing young women with breast cancer. This important bill would change that.


    Replacing Things Lost

    From The Morning News

    was still reeling from my breast cancer diagnosis when I began preparing for my mastectomy and reconstruction. I was 45, and only three months earlier I had received a clean bill of health on my annual mammogram, but there was no mistaking the pebble I found under the skin of my left breast. When an ultrasound showed a second tumor in a different part of the breast, I became a clear candidate for mastectomy and eventually, with the discovery of cancer in different locations on the right side, a double mastectomy.

    reports on a troubling question of size. � Tweet this articleSo it was off to the plastic surgeon's office-not a place I had ever envisioned myself, to be honest. My husband accompanied me for moral support, and we idled in the waiting room and then the exam room; he was reading Breast Cancer Husband while I flipped through a magazine. The doctor walked in, introduced himself and sat down on a stool with wheels that allowed him to scoot around the office at lightning speeds to snatch papers and files as needed. A chatty and energetic sort, he explained early on that no one has to undergo reconstruction, which I appreciated, but that if I wanted to, he would help me determine my options. I told him I was certain I wanted to reconstruct.


    Breast cancer detection for young women

    From Bakersfield Now

    BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- This year, it's estimated that over 10,000 women in the U.S under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

    Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. However, most detection methods are for older women and not good options for women under 40.

    Fortunately, there are some new tools to help young women battle this disease. Those are tools Trisha Velasquez wishes she would have had access in October 2006 when she went to her doctor at 31 years old knowing "something" was wrong.

    An ultrasound and mammogram were done on Velasquez and showed three masses, but her doctor said it wasn't cancer. "You're fine," Velasquez recalls her doctor telling her. She also says he told her, "Breast cancer doesn't hurt, you're 31, and you have no family history."


    Tweens challenged by grown-up malady: Breast cancer

    From CNN

    (CNN) -- Hannah Powell-Auslam of La Mirada, California, had surgery this month to check her lymph nodes, just in case the breast cancer had spread.

    Taylor Thompson of Little Rock, Arkansas, also had an aggressive form of breast cancer, one that has a 98 percent chance of returning. It required surgery in June.

    They're two young women fighting breast cancer. Or rather, two girls: Hannah is 11. Taylor is 13.



    Ten Breast Health Tips for Young Women

    By (soon to be) Dr. Alicia Huff

    1. Monthly self-breast exams!

    2. Quit smoking or never start.

    3. Increase your fiber intake to 30g per day.

    4. Obesity increases risk for breast cancer, so choose a low-fat diet.

    5. Exercise daily--at least 30 min/day.

    6. Annual mammograms for women over 40 years old.

    7. If breast cancer runs in your family, get checked sooner.

    8. If you find a lump always have it checked by a physician.

    9. Menopausal women use caution when using hormone replacement therapy.

    10. You're never too young or too old for breast cancer.

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