Information
Young Women - Breast Cancer – Fertility
Chemotherapy may have an adverse effect on the ovaries and lead to fertility problems or a higher rate of spontaneous miscarriages. However, each individual is different, and all pre-menopausal women should discuss the issue of future pregnancies with their physicians before their initial breast cancer treatment if they are interested in having children after treatment. In some cases, women may wish to consider banking eggs prior to treatment (particularly chemotherapy) if they wish to have children in the future.
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Through charity events, sponsors and regular donations, When I... is committed to helping young women tend to costs associated with Breast Cancer. Women may require anywhere from $12,000.00 to $25,000.00 to successfully receive fertility treatments. We encourage young women to reach out to When I... Tell us your story. We are here to help.
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Having a Baby After Cancer Womens Health Magazine (2010)
Surprising Statistics
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Despite the prevailing opinion that young
women don't get breast cancer, the reality is that they can and they
do. In fact, breast cancer accounts for 26% of all cancer in females
15-39 years of age and 39% of all cancer in 35-39 year olds (1). Following are
some startling facts about breast cancer in young women: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer
death in young women ages 15-54 (2). In 2008, the American Cancer Society
projects 182,460 new cases of breast cancer in females; it is estimated that
10,000 of these women will be under 40 years of age, and nearly 23,000 will
be under 45 years of age (3). There are more than 250,000 women living in
the United States today who were age 40 or under when they were
diagnosed with breast cancer (4). Young women's cancers are generally more
aggressive and result in lower survival rates. Increasingly, evidence suggests that breast
cancer before age 40 is biologically different from the majority of breast
cancer that occurs in older women. Women younger than 25 may have a third
type of biologically distinct breast cancer. There is no effective breast cancer
screening tool for women 40 and under. Young women with breast cancer struggle with
many issues that their post-menopausal counterparts don't face, including:
the possibility of early menopause, fertility, pregnancy after diagnosis,
body image, financial stability, generally more advanced cancers at diagnosis,
and higher mortality rates. As the incidence of young women with breast cancer is much lower than in older women, young women are an underrepresented population in many research studies.
1 U.S.
SEER 1990-1999 and 2000-2004. 2 National
Cancer Institute 2005 Fact Book. 3 American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures
2008. 4 Figure based on the 2000 U.S. Census data. |
HER 2 - Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor2
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of cells that, when functioning normally, has been found to be a key component in regulating cell growth. However, when the HER2 protein is altered, extra HER2 protein receptors may be produced. This over-expression of HER2 causes increased cell growth and reproduction, often resulting in more aggressive breast cancer cells.
HER2 protein over-expression affects approximately 20% to 30% of breast cancer patients. Women with HER2 over-expression may not be as responsive to standard breast cancer treatments, including certain regimens of Chemotherapy.
HER2 testing is becoming more common. Knowing the results of the test can help physicians and patients determine which treatment options are most likely to be effective. HER2 testing is performed on cancer cells that have been removed during breast biopsy or breast cancer surgery. Testing may also be performed on cells from a breast tissue sample that has been stored from a previous biopsy (many laboratories keep tissue samples for years after the initial biopsy or surgery).
Testing for HER2 protein over-expression involves staining the tissue sample with a specific solution in a pathology laboratory. The pathologist then examines the cells within the tissue sample, checking for highlighted areas where high levels of HER2 over-expression are present. Depending on the level of staining, the patient’s cancer may be classified as HER2 positive or HER2 negative.
The drug Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody engineered through biotechnology. It targets breast cancer cells that have too many copies of the HER2 protein. After it has identified which cells over-express the HER2 protein, Herceptin attaches itself to the HER2 protein receptors on the surface of these cells. By binding to the cells, Herceptin slows the growth and spread of tumors that have an overabundance of HER2. Many experts believe that Herceptin represents the future direction of breast cancer drugs in that it targets a particular protein of the cancer cell and prevents it from carrying out its action. Herceptin has shown great promise in increasing patient survival time and reducing the number of deaths from advanced breast cancer. Clinical trials are also investigating whether Herceptin is helpful for women with early-stage breast cancers.
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The American Cancer Society recommends that all women newly diagnosed with breast cancer get a biopsy test for a growth-promoting protein called HER2/neu. HER2-positive cancer usually occurs in younger women and is more quickly-growing and aggressive than other types of breast cancer. When I... wants women to know that if they feel something they should do something. Do not wait. Do not put your thoughts aside. See a doctor, and make sure your doctor takes your concerns seriously. Quick action is your best tool for saving your life.