In these women, tumors are larger and their disease is more likely to have spread to the lymph nodes. However, most experts feel that the disease itself is not different in young patients. Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer decides on the course of her treatment with her physician. Lumpectomy must be followed by radiation treatment for equal survival benefit. Many young women treated with chemotherapy retain their fertility after treatment is completed.
Several studies document safe and successful pregnancies in young breast cancer survivors.
A woman considering pregnancy is generally counseled to wait two or more years after treatment, the period in which cancer is most likely to recur.