![\"Breast](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/breast-cancer-awareness-sign-newsdesk.jpg\")
\n <\/p>\n\n \n <\/p>\n
About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. this year and about 42,170 will die from breast cancer. <\/p>\n
As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month gets underway, research from Florida Atlantic University<\/a>\u2019s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing<\/a> is bringing attention to a concerning public health issue \u2013 early-onset breast cancer and the rising rates of breast cancer among women diagnosed under age 50.<\/p>\n Led by Tarsha Jones<\/a>, RN, Ph.D., principal investigator and an associate professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the research focuses on young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) and highlights the critical importance of genetic testing, risk-reduction, and family risk communication. Supported by a multi-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, her study deepens the understanding of how younger women experience breast cancer and the unique challenges faced by this population.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 work is part of a growing call in the medical community to investigate why more women are being diagnosed younger, and how to provide equitable, evidence-based support \u2013 particularly as research suggests genetics only explain part of the picture. The research team conducted a cross-sectional study and surveyed 97 YBCS, all diagnosed under age 50, recruited from comprehensive cancer centers in New York and Florida. Additional women were also recruited through community-based organizations.<\/p>\n Key participant characteristics include:<\/p>\n These insights underscore the need for greater awareness of early warning signs and proactive risk management. While mammograms remain a crucial screening tool, self-awareness and timely action can be lifesaving.<\/p>\n \u201cOur data shows that genetics \u2013 such as pathogenic mutations or variants \u2013 is only part of the big picture. We found that while most women, 93%, completed genetic testing, the majority, 76.1%, had negative test results,\u201d said Jones. \u201cWe recognize that there are multiple determinants of health at play, and more research is needed to investigate the complex interaction between biological, behavioral, psychological, social and environmental exposures in order to reduce cancer health disparities and improve health outcomes for all women.\u201d<\/p>\n Four women who were diagnosed at a young age and participated in the study courageously share their stories<\/a>, as a reminder that breast cancer doesn\u2019t come with an age limit. They are participating in a digital storytelling project, which highlights the human side of cancer and offers the unique perspectives of YBCS to educate, inspire and bring hope to other women.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n With support from an NIH Mentored Research Scientist Award, interprofessional collaborations and a mentoring team, Jones is refining and evaluating a multi-component digital storytelling intervention tailored to the educational, clinical and psychosocial needs of YBCS. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n Breast Cancer Awareness: What Can You Do? \u00a0<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt FAU\u2019s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, a caring science approach grounds everything we do \u2013 including breast cancer research. This philosophy transforms data into dignity, recognizing that behind every statistic is a whole person whose well-being is nurtured through presence, compassion and meaningful connection,\u201d said Cameron Duncan<\/a>, Ph.D., DNP, the Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of Nursing in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. \u201cThis research is a vital step forward in understanding and addressing the unique challenges young women with breast cancer face. By shedding light on these early diagnoses, we strive to inspire hope, drive prevention and ultimately save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States this year and about 42,170 will die from breast cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen under 50, represent 16% of the total invasive breast cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society,\u201d said Jones. \u201cYounger women with breast cancer <\/strong>have profoundly different experiences, <\/strong>complex challenges and are more likely to die of the disease <\/strong>compared to older women with the disease, emphasizing the critical importance of ongoing support for women\u2019s health research.\u201d<\/p>\n The individual stories were shared with permission from the survivors. This work is supported by the NIH-National Cancer Institute (K01CA241393-05).<\/p>\n -FAU-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. this year…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":289331,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[815,159,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-289330","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-genetics","8":"tag-genetics","9":"tag-science","10":"tag-united-states","11":"tag-unitedstates","12":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115344450603283867","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=289330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289330\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/289331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=289330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=289330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\n Anastasia<\/strong>
\n <\/a>, a Black\/African American study participant, learned about breast cancer awareness through an informational and decided to perform a self-exam in 2011 as a 28-year-old. She discovered a lump in her right breast but wasn\u2019t concerned at the time. Later that year, a biopsy confirmed that she had stage IIb triple-negative breast cancer \u2013 an aggressive form of the disease. \u201cReceiving that news at 28 is not something you want to hear,\u201d said Anastasia. Unaware of her family history, she decided to get genetic testing. The results confirmed that she had a BRCA1 gene mutation or pathogenic variant, which also increased her risk for ovarian cancer. At 41, she proactively had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure. Now cancer-free for 13 years, Anastasia advises women to take charge of their health and consider genetic testing. \u201cI encourage anyone going through this process to get tested \u2013 not just for yourself, but for your loved ones. Early testing can provide clarity and potentially spare you and your family from the many procedures I had to endure,\u201d said Anastasia.<\/p>\n
\n Margalit<\/strong>
\n <\/a>, a study participant of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2020 at age 31 after discovering a lump in the shower. At first, she thought she was the only person in the world going through this. \u201cI would later realize there were growing numbers of young breast cancer patients,\u201d said Margalit. With no family history of breast cancer, the diagnosis came as a shock. She underwent active treatment during the pandemic, including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. But for Margalit, the hardest part came after treatment. \u201cPost-cancer aftermath was harder than active treatment \u2013 and while that\u2019s not true for everyone, resources are lacking for those who are struggling,\u201d she said. She emphasizes the importance of onco-psychosocial support and therapy to address mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and fear of recurrence. While many worry about things like clean products or sugar intake, Margalit focuses on what she believes truly matters: treatment and lifestyle choices like limiting alcohol and not smoking. Now, five years out, she finds support through peer networks \u2013 women with similar experiences who understand the unique needs of young adult survivors. \u201cI believe that the most effective treatment for these challenges is finding community,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Monica<\/strong>
\n <\/a>, a Hispanic study participant, discovered a lump in her right breast at age 37 while adjusting her bra during dinner in 2022. \u201cI had a sinking feeling that I thought something was wrong,\u201d she said. The next day, her gynecologist ordered further testing. She has a family history of breast cancer \u2013 her mother was diagnosed just five years prior. Following a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She underwent active treatment including a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. \u201cMy daughter was about 1 and my other daughter was just turning 3 and I had to do this for them,\u201d said Monica. Just three months after completing radiation, her yearly mammogram revealed a suspicious finding. She sought a second and third opinion. After an MRI, biopsy and breast surgery, the cancer had returned. \u201cIt was not just in my lymph nodes, but in my breast again,\u201d she said. Facing this difficult reality, she made the decision to have a double mastectomy. Employing a special surgery to prevent lymphedema, her surgeon removed 25 lymph nodes. Monica is almost three years cancer-free and is passionate about raising awareness and self-advocacy. \u201cI just want to make sure the next person doesn\u2019t have to go through everything I did,\u201d she said. She urges young women to be their own advocate, to be loud, to be unforgettable and to ask every question.<\/p>\n
\n Nediva<\/strong>
\n <\/a>
\n , <\/strong>a Black\/African American study participant, was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer in 2014 at age 33. She initially thought a lump in her right breast was a clogged milk duct, but it turned out to be cancer. Genetic testing showed she was negative for BRCA1\/2 mutations. She fought fiercely, undergoing a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy to reduce her risk of recurrence. But in 2019, the cancer returned. \u201cI had no symptoms leading up to my second diagnosis,\u201d she said. It was during a routine oncology visit that elevated tumor markers were detected. The news was a shock: stage IV metastatic breast cancer. She was thrust back into the emotional whirlwind of treatment. At first, the only person she confided in outside her family was a close friend also battling breast cancer \u2013 whose support was a lifeline until she passed away. After her second diagnosis, Nediva began a wellness journey, embracing a more holistic approach. Now 44, a 10-year cancer survivor and five-year metastatic survivor, she balances medical treatment with a plant-based diet, exercise, acupuncture, massage, supplements and mental health therapy \u2013 something she wishes she had started sooner. She currently has no evidence of active disease. Being a mom and wife keeps her going. Her family is her pride and joy, and being active in her children\u2019s lives brings her purpose. \u201cThis is my story \u2013 about living with metastatic breast cancer, surviving, thriving and being a \u2018Warrior Queen,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n