For Young Adults, A Cancer Diagnosis ‘Doesn’t Define Who You Are’

After having received a diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of just 29, Amanda Davis wants other young adults who are patients with cancer to know that “brighter days are coming.”

“You just have to realize that this doesn't define who you are for the rest of your days,” Davis told CURE. “You have to go through it now, and then the brighter days are coming.”

Davis sat down for an interview with CURE at the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, where she is a patient. She is also a pediatric emergency nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Davis, who is the mother of a 16-month-old son, received her diagnosis in October 2024. Davis was diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, and she underwent a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. She now takes anastrozole pills daily and receives monthly injections of Zoladex (goserelin), a treatment regimen she said her care team will have her on for at least five years.

Davis, according to data presented by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, is part of a growing patient population, with the organization stating on its website that the incidence rate of breast cancer in women younger than 50 years has risen about 1.4% annually between 2012 and 2022, compared to an approximately 1% annual increase for women older than 50.

Davis shared her advice for her fellow young adult patients with CURE.

Transcript

What message or advice would you share with other young people who have been diagnosed with cancer?

Since my diagnosis, I have definitely found that this is happening to a lot more younger people, definitely more than it should. However, I would definitely say that this is just a chapter. You still have a lot of life left to live, no matter what phase of your life you are in. I, for one, am looking forward to having another baby one day, and I'm looking forward to raising children, having grandchildren, and going through the rest of my life normally.

I will say that you have to do what you have to do in the moment, and you just have to realize that this doesn't define who you are for the rest of your days. You have to go through it now, and then brighter days are coming.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.