Hi alb20,

I'm very sorry to hear your diagnosis. I'm 25 and was diagnosed with breast cancer on the 23rd of march of this year. It came a shock to me as i have no family history of breast/ovarian/prostate cancer, and the dr was fairly sure it was just a build of tissue, but obviously the biopsy showed differently. I think as they've spoken about potential treatment for you, maybe they know it it cancer and are just waitingn for the results to confirm this..?

However, I completely understand what you are going through and how you are feeling. When I was told it was cancer, the dr and a nurse were there to explain the next steps, including fertility (possibility of having my eggs frozen) and genetic testing, and the next step of tests that would be done. 

The last couple of weeks have been a bit of whirlwind, i've had an MRI scan, another biopsy in my armpit to check the lymph nodes, and i'm having a CT scan tomorrow. I understand that the information you have been given can be confusing and overwhelming as i feel exactly the same, I still have my doubts and worries.

I will say that when I spoke to a member of the fertlity team, she did say that it was unlikely that i would be able to get my eggs frozen at this time, due to a lot of the fertility departments in my area closing due to the pandemic. She said that a lot of women are offered a hormone injection when they start chemo, that puts you on the menopause, and then when you have finished chemo, you come off the injections and apparantly things go back to normal (periods ect) However i need more information on this, and even the genetic lady i spoke to recommended that i still look at having my eggs frozen for the best chance. However it may be different for you in your area, but its a case of finding out. 

I had phonecalls from the fertility team and the genetics team after a phonecall consultation with the dr about my MRI and ultrasound results (all of which happened on the same day),so possibly you will be contacted about these things after you've had further tests? But it may be worth asking that as one of your questions when you speak to the dr again. 

My sister is a junior dr, and she composed a list of things that i may find beneficial to ask the dr, so if you're unsure of what to ask here's what she gave me:

1) What type of cancer is it?

2) What is likley treatment?

3) What is the likelihood of cure/prognosis?

4) What is the likely treatment regime?

5) Do I have to stay as an inpatient for chemo?

6) If surgery is needed, what kind? And would i need reconstructive surgery?

7) Would i need radiotherapy afterwards?

8) What is survellience afterwards?

9) Are there any trials currently that would benefit from?

10) What is my priority of treatment regarding the pandemic and when will it start?

11) How can i prepare myself for treatment/surgery?

12) What after care will i need?

I had the same concerns as you about when treatment would start, as the dr said they are apprehensive to start chemo,and even if i had surgery there are not enough beds in hospital, so its a waiting game really. I may possibly have to have a mastectomy, depending upon what the results of the gene test shows, if i'm highly likley to get breast cancer again the future i reckon they would suggest a mastectomy best option. I completley understand your concerns about this, and i do feel like this virus has put us in a worse position in a way, as they have limited resources which has limited our options. 

I was told that after my MRI scan the cancer was just in the inital breast, that it hadn't spread, however i thought this meant spread to different area's of my body, but it just meant to my other breast. The CT scan is to look at the tumour in more detail so that when they start chemo they know the best way to go about it, however i'm still paranoid that the scan will show it has spread to other area's, so i fully understand your worries regarding that aspect. But all we can do it wait for the results and deal with them accordingly. 

The way I have coped with all of this is taking each day as it comes, i find that by looking into the future it makes me feel overwhelmed and upset, so i try not (which is easier said than done) The nurse explained to me that being younger and being diagnosed with breast cancer, our needs differ slightly then to that of older women (such as thinking about having children etc) so please don't feel like you are alone in this. I know what it feels like, the worry and uncertainty of it all. I didn't realise how much it would actually effect me, i think i was quite niave to not look at the bigger picture (such as possibility of kids, having breasts removed etc.)  I too cannot see all my family properly due to the lockdown either,  my parents aren't even in the country atm, so it can feel like a lonely experience. But there are plenty of people to talk to on here, and other support groups, who can offer advice and guidence on how to deal with difficult things (probably better than me! haha) so please know that you always have a virtual support system around you. I think your dr should do more to offer you support, and the nurses should be contactable throughout your treatment, no question is too big or small. I'm sorry if this is very long (and waffly) but i just wanted to share my experience so that you know we're in similar boats. I hope your results go as well as they can (sounds silly I know) but you can get through this, we can get through this.

Please know I am always here to talk to, and that I hope you found some of this information useful.

Sending positive thoughts and best wishes x 

This is extremely helpful thank you. I'm 28 and just been diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer. I'm (otherwise!) super healthy and this is all a little bit of a shock. I'm relying on my doctor and dentist friends for advice to get me through. So fab you have a jr doc in the family! Let me know if you want to chat. We'll be okay :) 

This is extremely helpful thank you. I'm 28 and just been diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer. I'm (otherwise!) super healthy and this is all a little bit of a shock. I'm relying on my doctor and dentist friends for advice to get me through. So fab you have a jr doc in the family! Let me know if you want to chat. We'll be okay :) 

Hi Dee32,

I'm glad it was helpful, hopefully wasn't too overwhelming! I'm sorry about your diagnosis, but yes we will get through this :)  I would be happy to chat! Hope you're keeping well x 

Hi J94

I hope you're keeping well. Have you any news on your diagnosis? I'm really struggling to find relevant info for people in their 20s (or late 20s if I'm honest as I am 28!). I am so grateful for everyone's advice and support- but even my consultants often caveat their info and stats with 'well this stat typically holds for someone diagnosed in their 50s/60s.. we don't have precise data for your age'. 

I've just moved out of Clapham to Sussex to be in the countryside for a year- near friends and family/ hopefully find it easier to 'shield'. I've been feeling so positive recently- I don't want to jinx it, but I have hardly noticed chemo... (apart from now being bald). I was warned by doctors and friends and family that it would be difficult, and of course it is no walk in the park, but I feel really quite well.

Unfortunately today I've been told I have a dodgy BRAC gene so will need to have a double mastectomy as soon as I'm done with chemo and then perhaps (once I've had children?) a hysterectomy/ ovaries etc removed by the time I'm 40.  Once again I feel angry this is happening. It's silly but Covid is making me even more bitter about the whole thing. I just wish I could at least have some company or even face to face appointents with my expert consultants. It all feels so alien over the phone. Anyway, I hope you're keeping as well as can be. Keep in touch. Dee xx