‘I had breast cancer aged 24′
From the BBC News comes the story of Rachel, a young woman from Swansea you was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24.
“My consultant said that I had more chance of winning the lottery than getting breast cancer.
“I just wish I had bought a ticket.”
Not a great deal of bald news here, but I mention her story for three reasons. First, take care of yourself and take note of your body. Rachel wasn’t in the habit of doing regular self-exams; she got lucky. Getting an annual physical is a good start, but you’ve got to pay attention in between. Your doctor needs your eyes and ears on the 364 days you aren’t in for a check-up. (Interestingly, have you noticed that sudden hair loss is a symptom of many illnesses? So, pay attention!)
Second, there is support available. From the article:
Breast Cancer Care said that out of about 41,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year, around 8,000 of these are women under the age of 50 and approximately 2,000 of these are in their 20s and 30s.
Even if you have a family who is “with you all the way,” it may be hugely beneficial to find others who really are walking in your shoes. Organizations like Breast Cancer Care (UK) and the American Cancer Society (US) can put you in touch with a support community.
Finally, I thought the treatment mentioned was interesting.
Rachel was advised to consider freezing eggs and tissue, but opted instead to join a trial of a drug called Zoladex, given to pre-menopausal women with breast cancer, which aims to protect and preserve fertility during chemotherapy.
“It puts you into an early stage of menopause,” she said.
“And it is not much fun going through the menopause at 25, especially as my mum was going through it as well. All those hormones.”
Zolodex works by reducing levels of estrogen (or testosterone in men. The drug is also used to treat prostate cancer.) It is hoped that the drug can be used to preserve fertility in pre-menopausal women.
Tags: american-cancer-society, annual-physical, breast-cancer, breast-cancer-care, self-examination, zoladexRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Bald Women
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2 opinions for ‘I had breast cancer aged 24′
Hair Removal Products
May 10, 2006 at 5:40 pm
wow, moving post. My mother had breast cancer at age 49, and her mother had it as well. I’m now 25. Your post hit home for me…
Jenny
Bald Man
May 10, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Glad to hear I’m doing so good beyond the occasional laugh. I hope cancer gives you a miss.
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