Breast cancer in young women

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) in young women is rare, affecting only 4-6% of women under the age of 40. Regardless, BC remains the most common malignancy among younger patients. Recently, a significant increase in BC rates has been observed among pre-menopausal subjects. Breast cancer in young women requires special attention due to its specific morphologic and prognostic characteristics and unique aspects, including fertility preservation and psychosocial issues (e.g. its impact on family life and career). Young women are more likely to have tumors with higher incidence of negative clinicopathologic features (higher histological grade, more lymph node positivity, lower estrogen receptor (ER) positivity, higher rates of Her2/neu overexpression). Also, they tend to be diagnosed at more advanced stages of the disease. That, in turn, contributes to less favorable prognosis as compared to older women. Young women are generally treated similarly to older patients. Surgical management includes mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, followed by radiation therapy (younger women have higher local recurrence rates than older women, especially after breast-conserving therapy). Although the basics of chemotherapy are the same for patients of all ages, younger women have some special considerations. It is important to consider options for fertility preservation before starting systemic treatment. Patients should have access to genetic testing as their results may affect the choice of therapy. Younger women and their families should receive adequate psychological support and counselling.

Oncofertility to Evidence‐Based Practice: Changes in Fertility Intention and Symptom Burden in Reproductive‐Age Women With Breast Cancer

“…Younger women usually searched for the support needed to fulfill their desire to become pregnant after cancer therapy (Hsieh et al., ; Quinn et al., ; Radecka & Litwiniuk, ; Ruddy et al., ). Similarly, we found that young women had stronger intentions to conceive.…”

Surgical treatment of young women with breast cancer: Public vs private hospitals

“…As young women tend to have more biologically aggressive cancer, they are also more likely to elect for mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) . Overall, young breast cancer patients have inferior prognoses versus older women with the disease, and studies have shown that young age is a strong risk factor for breast cancer mortality . Racial and socioeconomic factors further compound these disparities.…”

“…young breast cancer patients have inferior prognoses versus older women with the disease, and studies have shown that young age is a strong risk factor for breast cancer mortality. [5][6][7] Racial and socioeconomic factors further compound these disparities.…”

Hormone Receptor Status of Breast Cancer in Young Women in Northern Region of India- A Study

“…Studies from across the world have defined 'young patients' in case of breast cancer (BC), as women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 35 to 40 years. [3,4] Studies from western world have shown that young patients account from 2 to 5% of all breast cancer population. [5,6,7] Name & Address of Corresponding Author Dr. Arundhati Consultant Pathologist, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Institute, Patna…”