Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyBCTeam
Powered By

Being 23 and Told You Have Breast Cancer

Posted on October 23, 2016

by Justine, a MyBCTeam ambassador

“So the doctor just wanted to let you know about some support groups…”

That’s how I found out I had cancer on July 30, 2012, at approximately 9 a.m.

Just like most women, I found my lump by accident. However, one of the differences between myself and most women facing breast cancer is that I was 23 years old at the time, with no family history of any cancers on either my maternal or paternal side. I mean, what 23-year-old gets cancer?! Just like everyone else, I went in for an ultrasound (because my gynecologist was awesome and thorough) and a mammogram which all came back abnormal and resulted in a biopsy. As I waited for the results of my biopsy, I researched about the different types of breast cancer resources that are available out there. I just had a feeling that I had breast cancer. I guess sometimes your body just knows.

So let’s go back to that dreadful day. I received a call from my breast surgeon’s office, where I had scheduled an appointment the next day to talk about the results of my (at the time, hopefully benign) biopsy. I was told I should come in that day (rather than the next day) at any time to talk about my results. I was told I was the V.I.P. that day and to come in whenever I could. Essentially, I was being told (without being told how bad) that I had cancer. I was freaking out. I called my parents, who literally left work a minute after I touched base with both of them so that we could go to my breast surgeon’s office to find out, at this point, what we all knew. However, I was still trying to convince myself that my results were benign. Then I got a call from my gynecologist’s office. The receptionist, very sweetly informs me that, “So the doctor just wanted to let you know about some support groups.” I dropped to the floor and told the receptionist (very rudely, mind you) that I needed to go. There was no denying it now, I had cancer, I just didn’t know how bad it was.

I started to scream, and I just could not stop screaming. I was crying and screaming and wondering if all of this was real.

I was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), although I was later re-diagnosed as Stage I IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) after my bilateral mastectomy. That time between talking to my breast surgeon and getting that call was the scariest of my life. Being told I had cancer was the hardest thing I have been told. I was so angry and felt so alone. I went back to one of those breast cancer support resources and utilized it throughout my treatment. It was comforting in that I was able to share my story with women who were going through the same thing that I was. It made me feel understood and that my emotions were important and similar to others.

I was unfortunate in that I did not find MyBCTeam until after I had almost completed treatment. However, I use this social network more now than I ever used the other breast cancer resource I initially used. MyBCTeam is user-friendly in that the mobile app allows me to update my own page, add and see who has added me to their team, and do all of this while on the go. I am a graduate student (going for my Master’s in psychology, then my Ph.D.) who is always extremely busy.

The MyBCTeam app allows me to remain engaged in a world (especially on bad days) that no one else can necessarily understand. Women with breast cancer typically say that they belong to a “club” that no one wants to be a part of. While we may not want to be a part of this club, we are and must deal with that. Now that I have completed surgery and treatment, I find that I am drawn to speaking to other women to help them through their own experiences. Providing support for other women helps me process all I have dealt with in the past year. Processing having had breast cancer is continual, and it does not end when treatment and surgery conclude. However, speaking about these feelings in the form of positive or negative posts really helps me get through.

My hope is to bring another face to breast cancer. While someone’s mom, aunt, or grandmother may be diagnosed with breast cancer, I want people to realize that young women can be victims too. I want people to see my face when they hear the words breast cancer. I also want younger women to realize that we can be resources too. Our stories matter, and only by making ourselves known can we bring awareness to that fact.

Posted on October 23, 2016
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Related articles

Do you remember the exact date and where you were when you first learned that you had breast canc...

Member Spotlight: Why I Joined MyBCTeam

Do you remember the exact date and where you were when you first learned that you had breast canc...
Lately, I've found myself wondering exactly what it is that has kept pulling me back to MyBCTeam ...

Member Spotlight: Why I Keep Coming Back

Lately, I've found myself wondering exactly what it is that has kept pulling me back to MyBCTeam ...
My mom survived breast cancer. I thought that was the end of the story. Little did I know it was...

Jenny's Story

My mom survived breast cancer. I thought that was the end of the story. Little did I know it was...
Lauren had a penchant for being organized, prepared, and ready to handle whatever life threw her ...

Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care What Kind of Plans You Have

Lauren had a penchant for being organized, prepared, and ready to handle whatever life threw her ...
by Kristy, an ambassador of MyBCTeam When I was younger, I used to fear death. “What happens to ...

I Was Supposed to Have a Baby, Not Breast Cancer

by Kristy, an ambassador of MyBCTeam When I was younger, I used to fear death. “What happens to ...
by Nancy, an ambassador of MyBCTeam He held his breathShe blurted: I should have this lump checke...

This Journey is Filled with Windy Roads: A Poem

by Nancy, an ambassador of MyBCTeam He held his breathShe blurted: I should have this lump checke...

Recent articles

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...

Next COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Approved

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...
The first targeted treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast ...

How Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment Has Evolved

The first targeted treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast ...
Nurse Support | Top 3 Questions | Conversation Guide | Maintenance Therapy Breast cancer treatmen...

7 Ways Your Breast Cancer Nurse Can Support You

Nurse Support | Top 3 Questions | Conversation Guide | Maintenance Therapy Breast cancer treatmen...
Nurses are an important part of your health care team as you undergo treatment for human epiderma...

5 Ways Your Nurse Can Help During HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment

Nurses are an important part of your health care team as you undergo treatment for human epiderma...
​Most people with breast cancer will undergo tests to determine whether their cancer is HER2-posi...

FISH and IHC Testing for HER2: 7 Things To Know

​Most people with breast cancer will undergo tests to determine whether their cancer is HER2-posi...
Advances in treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer ...

Life After HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment: 5 Ways To Stay Healthy

Advances in treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer ...
MyBCTeam My breast cancer Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close