Open AccessBreast cancer in the young patient: review of therapy and treatment considerations
Author(s) -
Preeti Subhedar,
Sarah A. McLaughlin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
breast cancer management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1758-1931
pISSN - 1758-1923
DOI - 10.2217/bmt-2020-0008
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , breast cancer , survivorship curve , young adult , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , fertility preservation , fertility , clinical trial , cancer , gynecology , pediatrics , gerontology , psychiatry , population , nursing , environmental health
In 2019, 13,050 young women were diagnosed with pre-invasive or invasive breast cancer in the USA and 1070 women died of their disease. Young women are underrepresented in clinical trials, and treatment for these women less than 40 years old is extrapolated from studies of older women. Young women face unique challenges such as decreased fertility, psychosocial issues and an extended survivorship period that impacts quality of life. Herein, we review breast cancer treatment options in the young patient (women <40 years old). We explore the biologic differences between breast cancer in young versus older patients, review surgical and systemic therapy options and highlight special considerations that are unique in these young patients.