Savannah Caldwell, a 25-year-old Kentucky native, has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that had spread to her ribs, spine, lungs, and possibly her skull. The doctors initially dismissed her symptoms, saying she was “too young for cancer,” but after a lump was found on her chest, further tests revealed the devastating diagnosis.
Caldwell is one of the increasing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer before they turn 50, a trend that is now among the fastest-growing cancers in this age group. Researchers say breast cancer cases among young women are rising by up to 1.85 percent per year, with an extra 4,000 women being diagnosed annually in the US compared to a decade ago.
The diagnosis came with severe physical symptoms, including crippling back pain caused by a tumor pressing against her spine. Doctors have begun an aggressive treatment plan, starting with 12 rounds of chemotherapy, which Caldwell has already completed nine times and may also undergo immunotherapy and radiation depending on how her body responds.
Caldwell’s experience highlights the importance of not dismissing symptoms in young women. “I was in complete shock,” she said. “I remember staring at the floor not knowing what to think, not knowing what was next.” Her diagnosis has made her lose weight rapidly and gain a significant amount of hair loss, but she remains optimistic about her treatment and is determined to fight this disease.
Friends have started a fundraiser online to help cover medical bills and complications related to chemotherapy. Caldwell’s story serves as a reminder that breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, and that early detection and treatment are crucial in improving survival rates.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14911453/breast-cancer-spike-young-woman.html