Managing breast cancer in younger women: challenges and solutions

Figures & data

Figure 1 Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment effects on young women.

Table 1 Breast cancer features in younger patients

Incidence	More common in older women. 4.5% incidence in women age <40^Citation138
Presentation	More advanced in younger women, more diagnostic delays^Citation10,Citation11
Biology	High frequency of HR-negative disease^Citation29
Genetics	As younger women are more likely to have inherited susceptibility, genetic testing is recommended for all patients ≤40 years
Prognosis	Inferior outcome in younger patients^Citation45,Citation57,Citation58
Unique considerations	Premature ovarian failure, reduced fertility, increased social stressors from raising young children and active workforce participation, prolonged survivorship period, bone loss

Abbreviation: HR, hormone receptor.

Figure 2 Essential components of a survivorship plan.

American Cancer SocietyBreast Cancer Facts and Figures 2015–2016Atlanta, CAAmerican Cancer Society2015

 Google Scholar

ZabickiKColbertJADominguezFJBreast cancer diagnosis in women ≤40 versus 50 to 60 years: increasing size and stage disparity compared with older women over timeAnn Surg Oncol20061381072107716865599

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

PartridgeAHHughesMEOttesenRAThe effect of age on delay in diagnosis and stage of breast cancerOncologist201217677578222554997

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

CopsonEEcclesBMaishmanTProspective observational study of breast cancer treatment outcomes for UK women aged 18–40 years at diagnosis: the POSH studyJ Natl Cancer Inst20131051397898823723422

 PubMedGoogle Scholar

AzimHAJrMichielsSBedardPLElucidating prognosis and biology of breast cancer arising in young women using gene expression profilingClin Cancer Res20121851341135122261811

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

HanWKangSYKorean Breast Cancer SoceityRelationship between age at diagnosis and outcome of premenopausal breast cancer: age less than 35 years is a reasonable cut-off for defining young age-onset breast cancerBreast Cancer Res Treat2010119119320019350387

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

SheridanWScottTCarolineSBreast cancer in young women: have the prognostic implications of breast cancer subtypes changed over time?Breast Cancer Res Treat2014147361762925209005

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar