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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
Information
Living with Breast Cancer
Daily Life and Practical Matters
Younger Adults
Getting a breast cancer diagnosis is hard at any age but hearing this news as a younger adult can feel especially overwhelming. While breast cancer is more common later in life, about 17% of cases in Canada occur in people under 50. For those aged 20 to 49, it’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer.
Being diagnosed at a younger age often comes with challenges that differ from those of older adults, such as:
- Worrying about how treatment might affect fertility and family planning
- Navigating relationships, dating and body image
- Finding emotional support that fits your life stage, especially if friends or peers have distanced themselves
- Facing career or school interruptions
- Balancing responsibilities for young children or aging parents
- Navigating concerns about finances and insurance
- Coping with medical menopause, fatigue, or brain fog
You may also face decisions earlier than expected. For example, having to think about family planning before you feel ready, or arrange help at home if you are going through treatment without a partner. These choices can feel rushed or emotionally heavy, especially when you are trying to build a career, support your family and plan for your future.
Our guide, Never Too Young: Practical and Emotional Support for Young Women with Breast Cancer was created to support younger adults through these experiences. It includes practical advice on talking to your family, navigating work or school, understanding fertility and pregnancy considerations, and finding emotional support.
Resources and Support
- Rethink Breast Cancer
- Young Survival Coalition
- Breast Cancer and Younger Women: New Treatment Options (Webcast): Learn about current treatment approaches for younger adults.
- References
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Breast Cancer Now. (2025). Breast cancer in younger women: Diagnosis and treatment. https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/primary-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-younger-women/breast-cancer-in-younger-women-diagnosis-and-treatment
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. (2024). Never too young: Practical and emotional support for young women with breast cancer. https://cbcn.ca/web/default/files/public/Reports/NTY%20Final%20Digital%20EN%202024.pdf
Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee. (2025). Canadian cancer statistics 2025. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/files/research/cancer-statistics/2025-statistics/2025_pdf_final_en.pdf
CancerCare. (2025). Breast cancer in younger women: New treatment options [Audio webcast]. https://cancercare.org/connect_workshops/1167-breast_cancer_younger_women_treatment_options_2025-03-26
Fernandes, U., Guidi, G., Martins, D., Vieira, B., Leal, C., Marques, C., Freitas, F., Dupont, M., Ribeiro, J., Gomes, C., Marques, R., Avelar, P., Esteves, A. S., & Pinto-de-Sousa, J. (2023). Breast cancer in young women: A rising threat: A 5-year follow-up comparative study. Porto Biomedical Journal, 8(3), e213. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000213
The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:
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About CBCN
CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.
Canadian Breast Cancer Network
185 Somerset St. West Suite 318, Ottawa, ON Canada K2P 0J2
Tel: 613-230-3044
Toll-free: 1-800-685-8820
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