Research indicates that young breast cancer survivors have a harder time recovering emotionally from cancer than women who develop the disease later in life.In Australia, a quality of life survey including 300 women found most survivors adjusted normally within 18 months after diagnosis. But women under the age of 50 reported more of a struggle with their emotional health.
Perhaps it's the direct threat to her life, or her fertility, or her sexuality, or her body image that brings on the added challenge for a young woman. Regardless, there are no easy solutions or quick remedies for lightening the load that weighs heavily on young minds.
Breast cancer changes everything, and bouncing back from the disease takes time. And this research validates the need for programs targeted at younger women, as well as further research to more clearly identify how to better help breast cancer's youngest victims.
1. We usually associate major illnesses with aging. Getting cancer while young must really amplify the "why me" factor. And while it gives survivors more time to live beyond the illness, it also gives them more time to deal with the physical, emotional and financial complications that cancer can engender. And that can definitely change your emotional landscape.
Love to all,
Richard Day Gore
Posted at 10:35AM on Mar 18th 2007 by richard day gore