Our aim here is not only to identify these impacts, but also to minimise them. Offering guidance and advice through the tricky times can make all the difference during treatment and recovery, both for you and your community. 

So Brave recognises the potential financial and social impacts this disease can have, whether you’re starting or raising a family, kicking career goals, pursuing study, buying a house, enjoying hobbies, playing sport, socialising with friends and family, and so much more.  

We don’t want you to power through treatment and wear yourself out juggling all that life stuff, nor do we want you to put it all aside and miss out on all the good and important things. So we’re here to provide you with useful information to see you through – because being prepared is half the battle. 

Body Image

It’s no secret that young women often face body image struggles. Being diagnosed with breast cancer can add an even heavier psychological burden on top of everyday concerns about appearance. In fact, one in three women with breast cancer suffer from body image disturbances, which can be exacerbated by treatments including mastectomy and reconstruction, hair loss from chemotherapy and radiation, and weight fluctuations. From there, body image issues can impact upon self-acceptance, sexual desire, and feelings of femininity.

Counteracting your body image issues is entirely dependent upon your individual impacts, but can involve a combination of treatments including physical (e.g. breast reconstruction, wigs), mental (e.g. counselling, support groups), and medical (e.g. vitamins and medications).

We have established So Brave CONNECT to help young women with breast cancer feel less alone in their journeys. By sharing stories and seeking support, you can know what to expect and how to best care for your own wellbeing during and after treatments. So Brave also contribute funds to various research groups in an effort to develop improved treatment options and minimise the physical impact on women’s bodies.

Counteracting your body image issues is entirely dependent upon your individual impacts, but can involve a combination of treatments including physical (e.g. breast reconstruction, wigs), mental (e.g. counselling, support groups), and medical (e.g. vitamins and medications).

We have established So Brave CONNECT to help young women with breast cancer feel less alone in their journeys. By sharing stories and seeking support, you can know what to expect and how to best care for your own wellbeing during and after treatments. So Brave also contribute funds to various research groups in an effort to develop improved treatment options and minimise the physical impact on women’s bodies.

Employment and Career

Research has shown us that post-diagnosis, employment rates of young women with breast cancer decline significantly, from 96% to 80%. The impact of treatments can take a mental toll that directly affects the ability to work at a high standard. If you’ve been diagnosed, it’s important to note that you may experience short- and long-term memory loss, lowered attention span, and decreased executive functioning skills, amongst other effects.

Many young women with breast cancer also face difficulties with schedule conflicts. You may have to juggle medical appointments and family calendars with work, making it difficult to stay on top of everything. Nausea and other ill feelings from treatments may also deplete your sick leave balances.

So Brave contribute to funding further study in this area, to lessen the cognitive impacts of treatments. We also educate young women on how to advocate for their own wellbeing, including accommodations to employment, and encourage those diagnosed with breast cancer to join So Brave CONNECT and discover what other women have done to keep their careers on track.

A change in the dynamics of a relationship can also impact it, with many heterosexual couples experiencing a shift in ‘caretaker’ duties. Again, it’s important to communicate your needs and desires, and work with your partner to find what works best for both of you.

So Brave CONNECT can be a source of reassurance and advice for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Knowing that you’re not alone can make a big difference to your future. So Brave has also funded research on post-diagnosis sexuality and relationships, with the hope of addressing some of these issues via education, empowerment, and communication.

Children and Family

A large number of young women diagnosed with breast cancer have expressed concerns about the impact of their illness on their children. Not only can it be difficult to explain breast cancer and medical treatments to very young children, those diagnosed may feel distressed by the possibility of leaving their children without a mother in the event of their death. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and you have children, it’s important to seek advice and support regarding these issues.

There are books and online resources available to guide your discussions about breast cancer, and counselling will equip you with techniques to manage your stress.

Extended family can be a concern as well. Your parents may be ageing and facing their own health battles and therefore less able to offer support. Siblings may have their own families or might live far away. Regardless, nurturing your familial ties can positively impact your mental health during treatment. Communication is key.

So Brave continue to fund research in this arena, as well as providing education to school-age children. By running workshops at schools, we aim to inform children about breast cancer and how it can affect families. We also empower children to take charge of their own health going forward, so they can confidently address any symptoms or risk factors as they mature into adults.

If you have savings and can cover extra expenses without added financial burden, you may still face setbacks if you had planned to use your money for something else – mortgage, a car, insurance, or your children’s education. Almost no one is financially prepared for a cancer diagnosis, but if you are able to save, you are one step ahead.

Our education programs teach children and young adults about these financial impacts and what they can do to help mitigate them if they face a breast cancer diagnosis themselves in the future. We also fund research to examine the financial stressors for young women with breast cancer, and how they can be managed.

Further Impacts

This list is not conclusive, and you may have noticed that these impacts are all intertwined. A breast cancer diagnosis can have a ripple effect on a young woman’s family and community, so it’s important to take a holistic view when addressing any of the above.