Some members of the Young Survivors breast cancer support group meet in South Bend. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Jan 22, 2009 at 6:16 PM EST
Story Updated:
Apr 17, 2009 at 12:43 PM EST
Breast cancer is a devastating diagnosis, but younger women facing the disease have some unique challenges. Survival rates are lower than in post-menopausal women. They can face pregnancy after diagnosis, and some have young children at home to care for.
Kim Zobrosky's daughter was just 5 when Kim found her lump.
"How do you explain this to your child? What do you say? Right away they think you're going to die,” Zobrosky told WSBT News.
Zobrosky said talking to her young daughter was one of her biggest concerns — a concern a majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer will not face. That's because only 5 percent of all breast cancer cases happen in women under the age of 40.
And their challenges are different.
"Women in careers, women who are sports athletes, women in newer marriages, all of those things are very different from when a woman is post-menopausal being diagnosed,” Zobrosky explained.
The Young Survivors support group is Kim's lifeline — how she copes, even after 6 years of being cancer free. The group began in 2003. At first, Kim thought she didn't need it.
"OK, I've gotten through most of this, I don't need to talk to anyone. Is that sort of like a psychiatrist? I don't need a psychiatrist!” Zobrosky recalled thinking. “But guess what? I needed those women so desperately I had no idea."
Weather forced the group to cancel its last meeting, but Kim couldn't wait for the next one and met some of the members for dinner.
Kim's advice for all women, and especially younger women, who are diagnosed with breast cancer?
"The best way I think to handle that is to get with a good support group so that you can talk to other women who've been in your shoes, and relate to each other and give yourself ideas, hints … that's what really helped me,” she said. “Once I started talking to other women, it was an instant bond. I knew that that woman sitting across from me understood what I was saying. And I felt better immediately."
The Young Survivors have organized a Survivor Boot Camp — fitness classes for women of all ages who have completed their treatment and have a doctor's release. They workout Saturday mornings at the Fit Club. For more information on the group, click on the link in the Related Content box.
Remember, we've partnered with Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center to bring you the Pink Pack program.
Here's how it works:
You pick a friend to be your Pink Pack Pal. Then you request a Pink Pack.
You'll get a breast self-exam guide, a pen and a kitchen magnet — one for you and one for your Pink Pack Pal. We'll remind you on the 22nd of every month to call your Pink Pal and remind her to do her breast self-exam. And remember to do yours the same day. Early detection saves lives.
Become a member of the Pink Pack right away — it could save a life.
