You can watch this story Wednesday at 5 p.m. on Denver7.
DENVER — The long-held belief that breast cancer predominantly affects older women is a significant misconception. According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, an alarming 4% of breast cancer diagnoses in the United States occur in women under 40 years of age. Notably, younger women are often diagnosed with more aggressive forms of breast cancer, making awareness and early detection crucial.
Natalie Bell, a 38-year-old woman from Denver, faced her own health battle when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in mid-June this year.
“By then the tumors were so big, I knew in my soul it was cancer,” she recalled, reflecting on the gravity of her condition. Unfortunately, the cancer had already spread to a lymph node in her left armpit.
“Family history. It checks out, but the lumps had been there for years,” Bell noted, highlighting the importance of recognizing persistent symptoms. Even with a family history of breast cancer, her lumps were often dismissed by her healthcare provider.
Bell expressed her frustration, stating, “It was always downplayed as cysts, or told in addition to that, you can’t get a mammogram until you’re 40.” This misinformation contributed to her delayed diagnosis.
After finally obtaining a diagnostic mammogram through a new doctor, Bell faced mounting medical expenses, exacerbated by losing her job during this challenging period. Thankfully, the nonprofit organization Polite Tumor stepped in to provide critical financial support, granting her $5,000 to help with living costs during treatment.
The founder of Polite Tumor, Elissa Brown, could empathize with Bell’s struggles. Brown herself also battled breast cancer after being diagnosed in December 2015 at the age of 31.
Her own experience motivated her to establish the nonprofit to assist those facing similar challenges.
“The reason why was because I faced a lot of unforeseen costs when I went through treatment. The biggest was fertility preservation at the time,” Brown explained, underscoring the financial strain many cancer patients face.
Brown aims to eliminate economic obstacles for young adults under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer, emphasizing that younger patients often find themselves in challenging financial situations due to high deductible health plans, student loans, or recent home purchases.
Teri Frerichs, a nurse navigator with UCHealth in Northern Colorado, plays a vital role in supporting breast cancer patients as they navigate the complexities of treatment. She highlighted that chemotherapy is one of the most significant expenses patients incur, but there are often hidden costs that can arise during treatment.
“Like wigs, acupuncture, counseling,” Frerichs mentioned, pointing out the ancillary costs that can add financial pressure. “If you’re getting chemotherapy, you may need cold caps to preserve hair loss, cold mitts, and gloves to prevent neuropathy,” she added.
Bell utilized cold mitts during her chemotherapy sessions and decided to shave her head proactively before hair loss began. Looking ahead, she is preparing for a double mastectomy surgery in the upcoming year, followed by radiation treatments. She emphasized the crucial importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, stating that if she hadn’t pursued a second opinion, her current situation could be drastically different.
“Knowing how to tell your doctor, ‘Document this.’ Knowing how to advocate for yourself more because you’re younger, like I am. It’s like you have to push even further to get home. ‘No, there’s something wrong with me. Can we get a diagnostic mammogram?’” Bell advised, stressing the need for young women to be persistent with their health concerns.
Polite Tumor provides grants of $5,000 to Coloradans under 40 years old, regardless of their income level, helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.
On Tuesday, we reported on Denver Health Mobile Mammography Unit, which staff hopes can help catch breast cancer early. Watch that report below.
Denver Health mobile unit teams up with local businesses for breast cancer screenings
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**Interview with Natalie Bell and Elissa Brown on Addressing Breast Cancer Awareness Among Young Women**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Natalie Bell and Elissa Brown. Natalie, let’s start with you. You were diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at just 38. Can you share a bit about your journey and the symptoms that led to your diagnosis?
**Natalie Bell:** Absolutely, and thank you for having us. I never thought I’d be facing breast cancer at my age, but I began to notice some lumps that had been there for years. They were sometimes dismissed by my healthcare provider as cysts. By the time I finally got a proper diagnostic mammogram, the tumors had grown significantly, and it was devastating to find out that it was cancer—and that it had already spread to a lymph node.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly challenging. You mentioned that there is a misconception regarding mammogram eligibility for younger women. Can you elaborate on that?
**Natalie Bell:** Yes, I was repeatedly told that I couldn’t get a mammogram until I was 40, despite my family history of breast cancer and the persistent lumps. This misinformation delayed my diagnosis and treatment, and it’s important for younger women to know that they should advocate for themselves if they suspect something is wrong.
**Interviewer:** Elissa, as the founder of Polite Tumor, you understand these financial challenges intimately. Can you talk about your experience and how it motivated you to help others?
**Elissa Brown:** Of course. I was diagnosed at 31, and like Natalie, I faced unexpected costs—especially with fertility preservation. It was daunting to manage the financial burden while going through treatment. I created Polite Tumor to provide financial relief to young adults under 40 battling breast cancer, ensuring they don’t have the added stress of how to afford basics like rent or groceries during such a critical time.
**Interviewer:** It’s inspiring to see how you both are working to raise awareness and support. Teri Frerichs, a nurse navigator at UCHealth, has highlighted that treatment costs go beyond traditional medical expenses. What do you think needs to change in the healthcare system to better support younger women like yourselves?
**Natalie Bell:** There needs to be a significant culture shift in how healthcare providers approach breast cancer in younger women. Screening guidelines need to change, and education on recognizing symptoms earlier is essential. We should not have to fight for the care we need.
**Elissa Brown:** I completely agree. We need more resources directed towards awareness campaigns that specifically target women under 40. Additionally, improving insurance coverage and financial support mechanisms can make a tremendous difference for patients facing these challenges.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your powerful stories and insights. It is vital to continue this conversation and raise awareness about breast cancer in younger women. We look forward to hearing more about your journey on Denver7 this Wednesday at 5 p.m.
**Natalie Bell:** Thank you for having us.
**Elissa Brown:** Thank you so much.