Duke Health

Cuando Luisa Scott se enteró de que su hija Zoey tenía un labio y paladar hendido, ella y su esposo no sabían dónde buscar atención. Luego, conocieron al equipo de Duke Health especializado en labio y paladar hendido y craneofacial y se sintieron seguros de su decisión de ir a Duke. Ahora, un año después de su cirugía de reparación de paladar hendido, Zoey está feliz y saludable. "Amo a Duke. Allí tuve la mejor experiencia", dijo Luisa.

More women under age 40 are being diagnosed with breast cancer than ever before. While family history is a known risk factor, the rising incidence among women without a family history remains unclear.

What is known is that women with breast cancer in this era of life face unique challenges. They want to start or add to their family and are caring for mixed generations. They are also starting or hitting the formative years of their careers.

As part of our ongoing Conversations in Cancer series, Duke Health medical oncologist Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, talks to Rani Bansal, MD, a Duke breast cancer specialist, about what young women need to know and the resources available.

Alexandra (Ali) Butler was living in Wisconsin when her husband gave her a hug and felt a lump in her armpit. Fortunately, the breast cancer was caught early. In 2021, the 34-year-old mom with three young girls had a double mastectomy and completed several rounds of chemotherapy. After treatment, the Butlers moved to Raleigh to be closer to her siblings. Then she discovered another lump. New to North Carolina, Butler went online and found the Duke Women’s Cancer Center Raleigh. “I trusted Duke,” she said. “This is where I need to be.”