Breast cancer in young women is a rare diagnosis. For people under the age of 40, it still accounts for 5 to 6 percent of all occurrences.
Even yet, it is the most prevalent cancer in patients under 40.
According to a recent study, the number of young women with stage 4 breast cancer has significantly increased. Between 2009 and 2015, there was a 32% increase in the proportion of 25 to 39-year-olds with metastatic breast cancer. Additionally, a study published in July 2021 predicted that the yearly expenditures of metastatic breast cancer for women in the United States will more than treble between 2015 and 2030 due to a rise in incidence among younger women.
When deciding how to discuss your cancer diagnosis and prognosis with your children, especially for parents with metastatic cancer, there are several factors to consider.
In addition to worrying about how distressing this information will be for their children, parents may ponder how to communicate their prognosis or probability of recovery.
It may seem impossible to juggle the demands of parenthood while keeping up with doctor’s appointments, protracted hospital stays, a flood of new emotions, and the adverse effects of your medications.
Fortunately, you may go to several places for help and guidance. Never hesitate to seek assistance. Here are just a few of the numerous resources at your disposal.
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Transportation Services
You can receive a complimentary ride to your treatment from the American Cancer Society. Call 800-227-2345, their toll-free number, to locate a ride near you.
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Need to travel for medical treatment? Patients with both medical and financial difficulties can take advantage of free air travel offered by Air Charity Network.
Search for Clinical Trials
Finding a clinical study is simple, thanks to BreastcancerTrials.org. You probably don’t have the patience or the time to sort through the hundreds of clinical studies that are taking place around the nation since you’re a busy mom.
Using their tailored trial matching tool, you can find the trial that best suits your unique needs and your particular breast cancer kind. Joining a clinical trial will provide you access to cutting-edge MBC therapies and the chance to help shape the future of breast cancer treatment.
Social Workers
Oncology social workers are licensed professionals who do everything they can to make the entire cancer journey easier for you and your kids. Among their abilities are the following:
- Providing emotional support
- Offering you information about therapy and teaching you new coping techniques to help you communicate better with your children and your medical team
- Assisting with insurance and financial planning
- Give you details about additional community resources
Request a recommendation for an oncology social worker from your doctor. Additionally, you can speak with a social worker by contacting CancerCare’s Hopeline at 800-813-HOPE (4673).
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Visit Trustworthy Websites for Education
Although it can be tempting to search for everything about MBC, there may be a lot of inaccurate, out-of-date, and incomplete information available. Use these reliable resources to assist with your research.
- National Breast Cancer Foundation
- American Cancer Society
- Breastcancer.org
- National Cancer Society
- Metastatic Breast Cancer Network
What to Do if You Are Expecting
If you have cancer and are expecting a child, Hope for Two is a free resource. The group can also put you in touch with other women who are currently battling cancer.
Get assistance when you need it. Prioritization is essential because your energy may be reduced when you receive cancer treatment. Asking for assistance does not indicate a lack of self-confidence.
As you negotiate life with MBC, it’s all a part of doing your best to take care of your kids.
