title: Psychosocial issues experienced by young women with breast cancer: the minority group with the majority of need.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ways in which biological, social, and psychological factors characteristically unfold and interact for young women with breast cancer yields complex and acute challenges that are not clearly understood by all healthcare professionals. Better knowledge of the unique needs of young women with breast cancer would assist in matching younger women with the right services at the right time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Younger women (<50 years) represent a minority of breast cancer cases, yet they tend to be overrepresented with respect to demonstrating the poorest psychosocial adjustment during and following treatment. Concerns most frequently reported in this age group pertained to body image, sexual functioning, fertility, relationships, fear of cancer recurrence, and caring for children; failure of healthcare providers to initiate conversations to educate women about treatment side effects early on and/or safely discuss sensitive issues; lack of widespread availability of professional psychosocial programs that are tailored to the unique needs of this age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young women with breast cancer are at greater risk for psychosocial adjustment problems, yet their needs are often overlooked. Proactive discussions by healthcare providers early on in treatment, and referrals to relevant services as part of standard care are needed to mitigate younger women's concerns and reduce the likelihood of problems becoming longstanding.
authors.affiliation: aPatient and Family Support Program, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre bDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Saunia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fergus
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D060728:Reproductive Health; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; D012944:Social Support