Imagine being a vibrant 24-year-old, with life stretching before you, only to be blindsided by a breast cancer diagnosis. This is the reality Emma Crowley faced, and her story is a powerful testament to resilience. It's a journey that transformed her from a young woman navigating life's early chapters to a passionate advocate for others.
It all began with a simple observation. While shaving, Emma discovered a lump under her arm, the size of a golf ball. Initially dismissing it as a swollen gland, she sought medical advice, leading to an ultrasound. The results were swift and life-altering: a second lump, a biopsy, and then the news – HER2-positive breast cancer.
"You’re sort of in shock and don’t really know what to think," Emma recalls. Her mind, like many young women, raced with the implications of her diagnosis. She was juggling a law degree and motherhood, and the weight of the diagnosis was heavy. The emotional, physical, and financial burdens of cancer were suddenly very real. "Unless you’ve been in it, and you’ve seen someone else that has had cancer and survived it, the news can feel terrifying," she says.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the average age of breast cancer diagnosis is around 62.7 years, there's a concerning trend: rising rates of early-onset cancers. Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlights this shift. Between 2000 and 2025, the incidence of breast cancer in women aged 30-39 climbed from 22.1 to 22.7 cases per 100,000. In the 40-49 age group, the incidence jumped from 76.6 to 81.1 per 100,000. This increase underscores the critical need for awareness and early detection, especially for women under 50.
Emma's immediate response was to reach out to her parents, who provided crucial emotional and financial support. "I was very lucky, but it’s a huge financial burden," she acknowledges. She worked throughout her treatment as much as her health allowed. She underwent chemotherapy, achieving a complete pathological response, followed by surgery and radiation to ensure the cancer was gone.
"When you’re 24 and you get cancer, it’s such a surprise to everyone," Emma says. "And all your friends are so young, and everyone’s living their life to the fullest." This contrast highlights the unique challenges young women face.
And this is the part most people miss... Young women diagnosed with breast cancer often encounter specific challenges. Fertility concerns, early menopause, career disruptions, and emotional distress are just some of the issues they face. These require tailored support and informed care strategies. Emma, surrounded by a supportive family and friends, and with access to advanced medical care, navigated her journey with resilience. "Once you trust in the people there to support you, it becomes much easier to navigate," she says. Having a clear "path" forward also helped.
"It’s like anything in life… There can be anxiety in needing to know how to fix [the cancer]," Emma says, emphasizing her focus on problem-solving. "You may need a path or a roadmap, and once you have that, it does get easier." She also focused on her mental health, managing anxiety with medication.
Thirteen years post-diagnosis, Emma is cancer-free and dedicated to helping others through her role on the Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel. "I’m very conscious that I was privileged enough to have medicine that another person may not be able to afford," she says. She believes in the power of clinical trials to improve breast cancer survival rates.
What do you think? Are you surprised by the rising rates of early-onset breast cancer? Do you think awareness and early detection efforts are sufficient? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Join Breast Cancer Trials on Wednesday 12th November, from 5:00-6:30pm (AEDT)/ 7:00-8:30pm (NZST), for a free online Q&A, as our panel of experts discuss the impact of breast cancer on young women and their families. To register click here (https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events-womens-agenda/?utmsource=women%27sagenda&utmmedium=event-page&utmcampaign=q&a_november25) .
