A Letter from the Editor: What to Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer in Young Women

At PEOPLE, we often come across statistics that inspire our stories. And when we saw that recent studies have shown that cancer is rising in women under 40—with no explanation yet available, we knew that this would be something our readers would want to know more about. Concerns about metastatic cancer facing younger women are at an all-time high, so I consulted with Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health Chief Medical Officer, for his insights. There are a few considerations.

Early detection is more important than ever. “Breast cancer incidence among women under 40 is rising significantly in some regions— by more than 3 percent annually.  While studies are looking at the increase in early-onset diagnoses, their findings raise concerns about the potential for more aggressive or metastatic disease in younger women over time,” says Dr. Imtiaz. “We need to make sure that individuals are thinking about earlier risk assessment, and that the medical community is reconsidering screening protocols for high-risk groups. This may mean we need more aggressive screening in the future at a younger age. We should be thinking about the factors that are contributing to this trend that go beyond genetics because that can help us better manage. This includes lifestyle, environmental exposures, and hormonal influences.”

Stay informed. “The most important step someone can take is to be proactive about their health and not wait,” says Dr. Imtiaz. “Instead, it is essential to stay informed about the latest research, which can be done by reading sites such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Verywell Health. It is also important to be aware of personal risk factors such as your family history, genetics, reproductive history, weight, smoking and hormone use.”

Self screen. “Perform regular breast self-examinations and carefully monitor any changes,” Dr. Imtiaz advises, adding that patients should “initiate an early discussion with a primary care physician if there are any concerns.”

There is positive momentum on critical clinical trials. “There are several clinical trials underway whose early data show improvements in progression-free survival,” Dr. Imtiaz shares. “This is encouraging and hopefully makes patients feel optimistic because it means we can move closer towards slowing down the disease progression. We also continue to see advancements in cancer treatment through precision medicine and the use of AI technologies by integrating genetic, clinical and demographic details to predict individual responses to treatment.”

While cancer is a terrifying prospect, it can also build community. Dr. Imtiaz says sharing stories and seeking out people with similar experiences can be a very important step. “I have heard from my patients about the powerful role that personal stories play in healthcare. When women share their experiences, it not only helps to break down the stigma surrounding a cancer diagnosis but also builds a vital support network,” he says. “These shared stories create community, empower others to be proactive in their health decisions, and often are the start to important discussions on the challenges they face. It can be a very emotional experience going through the diagnosis and such openness can help others better understand and empathize.”

We hope that by publishing real women’s stories in People Like Us, a partnership between the editors of People and Verywell Health, we can contribute to that effort and increase understanding of the devastating disease.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Triggs

Read the original article on People