NOT TOO YOUNG
This photo essay examines the issue of breast cancer in women who are believed to be “too young” for the disease and “too young” to be screened. Every woman in this series had to fight against the belief they were too young, fight for attention from their doctors, fight for diagnostic testing, and it turns out, were fighting for their lives. Dense Breasts Canada is honoured to collaborate with award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld to present NOT TOO YOUNG.
I am not too young to have to freeze my eggs and face menopause. Never in my life did I imagine that at just 24 years old, I would be concerned about my fertility and whether I would be able to have children. It’s a surreal and daunting reality to grapple with such significant reproductive issues at an age where most people are just beginning to explore their adult lives and future family plans.
Robin | Diagnosed at 24
Not too young to experience devastation. Devastation can be a gift in disguise that teaches you about perseverance and empathy. We experience ups and downs in life, and it's never too early to face challenges and learn from them. These experiences can feel overwhelming. However, what truly matters is how we respond. Learning to get back up after being knocked down is a critical life skill that can set the foundation for future success.
Jénnelle | Diagnosed at 38
Not too young to advocate for ourselves. Women my age are not routinely sent for mammograms, even when issues arise. I was told it was just a cyst... it wasn't. My mission, going forward, is to invite all women to stand together, to raise awareness, and to encourage early detection and prevention. Conduct self-exams, request imaging, find a voice, and keep seeking answers, especially if you're told, as I was, that it was unusual for a woman my age. Speak up and you may save a life - possibly your own.
Tarot | Diagnosed at 29
Not too young to recognize the flaws in societal beauty standards! I was terrified to lose my long blonde hair, my fake breasts, and my body. I didn't know whether my partner would still love me bald, or flat. Yet, at the end of the day, none of the people who love me cared at all what I looked like. I've met so many women who are self-conscious about their looks through treatment, and I want them to see how incredibly beautiful the non-physical assets are because these societal expectations we put on ourselves are so insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Beth | Diagnosed at 32
Not too young to rebuild this vessel. The body is a vessel for the soul. It gives us a place to reside and flourish and do incredible things. As someone who has always worked diligently to make my vessel a good home, finding out that this very vessel, the one I’d spent my whole life working hard to protect and strengthen and nourish, was now fighting against me, has been a challenge like none I could have ever imagined.
Hannah | Diagnosed at 31
Not too young to carry the weight and burden of the BRCA1 gene. Living with the BRCA1 gene has profoundly impacted my life, influencing decisions, and shaping my future. Discovering I carried it was a surprising turn in my cancer journey, both empowering and a reminder to remain vigilant. Opting for a preventive double mastectomy was a proactive step to reduce breast cancer recurrence. After I decide to have children, my medical team has recommended removing my ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, I will have the opportunity to genetically test future children to ensure they have the ability to be proactive!
Cassandra | Diagnosed at 28
Never too young to lose time because of disease. So, make every moment count in your life. Even the hard moments. Ask yourself- what kind of person do I want to be in this moment? Choose presence, choose hope, choose joy.
Angie | Diagnosed at 39
Not too young to re-learn how to live and appreciate life. Don’t believe because you’re young that you are immune -that your age, family history, life style will protect you. It won’t. So know your body, do self-exams, and always advocate for yourself. But more importantly, know that life is too short and fragile. So prioritize what is truly important to you and live in such a way that will make your life meaningful. Cancer is not always a death sentence, rather it can be a call for change.
Sarah | Diagnosed at 36
Not too young for it all to change. Breast cancer does not discriminate by age and affects women in their twenties and thirties, not just older women. Despite this, young women often lack access to routine screening due to their age. It's crucial to be your own advocate and know what's normal for your body. Early detection saves lives, so never assume you're too young to be at risk. I hope for a future with better access to breast cancer screening for young women.
Nina | Diagnosed at 32
Not too young to lose your hair. Not too young to have to start over.