Adolescent health
Research highlights challenges faced by young women with advanced breast cancer
Nearly half of women under 40 with advanced breast cancer have children under 18, with many facing job disruption and financial strain, new research has found.
A global survey has revealed the challenges faced by young women with advanced breast cancer, with 64 per cent reporting employment disruption after diagnosis and 40 per cent incurring medical debt.
Findings from 385 women under 40 living with advanced breast cancer across 67 countries were presented at the Advanced Breast Cancer Eighth International Consensus Conference (ABC8) in Lisbon.
The Project 528 survey was led by the Young Survival Coalition.
Advanced breast cancer (ABC) occurs when the disease spreads beyond the original tumour to other parts of the body. While treatments can slow progression, it remains incurable.
Financial security fell from 51 per cent before diagnosis to just 3 per cent after treatment began.
Although 84 per cent said they felt able to ask questions at diagnosis, 40 per cent delayed seeking care – often because primary care physicians dismissed their concerns, or due to lack of awareness or fear.
Jennifer Merschdorf, chief executive officer of Young Survival Coalition, said: “We launched Project 528 to fill a critical gap – the voices of young adults living with advanced breast cancer are often under-represented in clinical discussions and policy dialogues.
“For the first time, we now have global data that reflect the voices of young women with advanced breast cancer.
“This survey gives us the evidence we need to understand their unique challenges and to ensure that research, services and policies are shaped by their lived experiences – not by assumptions.”
Of the 385 women surveyed, 48 per cent had children under 18. Only 14 per cent were diagnosed through clinical screening or routine check-ups, while 85 per cent detected the disease themselves after noticing symptoms.
Eighty per cent reported psychological distress. Concerns about body image, fertility and sexual health were widespread but rarely addressed.
Practical challenges such as childcare, housekeeping and transport were common, leaving many with unmet needs.
Access to precision diagnostics varied.
While 90 per cent received genetic testing for inherited mutations – changes in DNA passed down from parents – only 59 per cent had genomic testing of tumours.
This identifies mutations within the cancer itself, helping doctors understand tumour activity and recurrence risk to guide treatment.
Although 77 per cent said they understood their treatment plans, 25 per cent lacked clarity and only 46 per cent were offered more than one treatment option.
Understanding of targeted therapies – drugs designed to attack specific cancer cell features – was the lowest among treatment types.
Online communities were an important source of information and support, but only 43 per cent of respondents were referred to them by their care teams.
“Our analysis of young women living with ABC underscores a consistent theme,” said Merschdorf.
“The current standard of care, while medically advanced, remains deeply fragmented when it comes to the lived realities of younger ABC patients.
“From diagnosis delays to unmet psychosocial needs, patients face a system that too often demands self-advocacy in the face of fatigue, fear and financial strain.”
The Young Survival Coalition plans further research to explore the unique needs of younger patients with ABC.
“Advanced breast cancer poses a complex set of challenges for younger adults, whose experiences with this incurable illness intersect with critical phases of career, parenting and identity development.
“Project 528 provides a roadmap for researchers to investigate the issues that respondents identified as the most pressing, while also guiding supportive services and advocacy organisations to align their programmes with those needs.
“Beyond research and services, these findings can inform the development of health policies that better reflect and support the lived experiences of young adults facing breast cancer.
“Ultimately, the goal is for these data to drive meaningful improvements in research, care and policy that truly serve this community.”
Professor Fatima Cardoso, medical oncologist and president of the ABC Global Alliance, said: “This is an important study that shows, for the first time, the experiences of young patients living with advanced breast cancer and the challenges they face in their daily lives.
“It is concerning that not all of the women in this study were offered tests to see whether or not they had inherited cancer-causing genetic mutations, and to understand the biology of the tumour itself.
“In an age of precision medicine, all breast cancer patients should have access to these tests as they have a crucial role in treatment decision-making and hence impact on survival and quality of life.
“I hope that policymakers will take note of the results of this study and address the many gaps that it highlights in terms of diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, but also psychosocial and financial support.”
The HPV vaccine has cut the risk of dying from cervical cancer before age 30 to almost zero among those vaccinated at 12 or 13, research suggests.
The first study of its kind found that deaths have fallen sharply since school-age girls began being offered the jab in 2008, with around 200 lives saved in England so far.
Between 2020 and 2024, no cervical cancer deaths were recorded among women aged 20 to 24, the first time this had happened over a five-year period.
Without vaccination, around 23 deaths would have been expected.
Professor Peter Sasieni, lead researcher at Queen Mary University of London, said: “It’s incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer.”
Around 3,300 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the UK, making it the 14th most common cancer among women.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is thought to cause 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases. The virus is spread through close skin-to-skin contact.
Most HPV infections clear up without causing problems, but some can cause abnormal cell changes that may lead to cancer years later.
The study’s authors expect deaths from cervical cancer to continue falling as more people receive the jab and vaccinated generations grow older.
Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, called the findings an “incredible milestone” but warned that vaccination rates in England remained below recommended levels.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “We know the HPV vaccine is extremely effective at stopping cervical cancer before it starts and for the first time these findings show it is saving lives.”
Professor Sasieni, who specialises in cancer epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, described the reduction in deaths since the vaccine was introduced as the “tip of the iceberg”.
Cancer epidemiology examines patterns of cancer and how the disease affects different groups of people.
He said: “As vaccinated generations grow older, we’ll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer.
“New research shows just how vital it is to keep HPV vaccination levels high so more people are protected.”
The UK government has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040.
However, the latest figures show vaccination rates have fallen below recommended levels.
UK Health Security Agency data shows that 76 per cent of girls in England were vaccinated by the age of 15 in 2024-25, well below the 90 per cent level the World Health Organization says is needed to eliminate cervical cancer.
Mitchell said: “It’s essential that the UK Government and health systems urgently address this with targeted action to reach communities where uptake is the lowest.”
WUKA has announced the launch of the UK’s first heavy flow period-proof competition swimwear collection, designed specifically for competitive swimmers, club athletes and intensive training.
Introducing the NEW WUKA Competition Swim Range, designed specifically for competitive swimmers, club athletes and intensive training – engineered with integrated period-proof technology and designed to meet the rigorous demands of club athletes, divers, and fitness swimmers, this collection enables swimmers to train and compete throughout their cycle without compromising performance, comfort or confidence.
Developed in collaboration with three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Champion Hannah Miley MBE, the new WUKA Competition Swim Range introduces the UK’s first Period-Proof Competition Legsuit alongside a Racer Back Swimsuit, Tie Back Swimsuit and Bikini Top and Bottom Set.
WUKA Founder and CEO Ruby Raut, says: “This is one of the most significant innovations we’ve introduced for athletes.
“Young swimmers told us they wanted swimwear that looked and performed like a serious training kit while giving them confidence during their period.
“The result is a collection that delivers both.
“From the outside, it looks like high-performance competition swimwear; inside, it contains invisible protection designed specifically for life in the water.”
For too long, competitive swimmers have been forced to choose between uncomfortable internal disposables or missing training entirely.
With this collection WUKA expands their mission to ensure no girl or woman is sidelined by her period.
Built for Performance
The WUKA Competition Swim Range introduces four high-performance styles, setting a new standard and industry first in performance swimwear.
Each piece features WUKA’s exclusive Lunafly™ print, designed to stand out on poolside while maintaining a premium competition aesthetic, and WUKA’s “invisible” innovations.
● Heavy Flow: integrated gusset holds 20ml of flow, the equivalent of three pads or four tampons, for up to four hours of continuous training.
● Quick-Dry Integrated Absorbent Technology: features a patented ultra-thin absorbent layer with a compression-inspired fit.
● Hydrodynamic Support: streamlined fits reduce drag, with built-in bust shelf liners for support during high-impact movement.
● High performance recycled materials: 100% Chlorine Resistant, UV50+protection, quick-dry technology and designed to maintain shape and compression 20x longer than standard elastane.
● Sustainability in the fast lane: One WUKA competition suit replaces the need for over 200 disposable tampons and is reusable for up to two years.
The WUKA Competition Swim Collection:
● Competition Legsuit (£70): The gold standard for racing and intensive training, offering
maximum coverage and compression (thigh-skin design).
● Competition Racer Back Swimsuit (£70): A classic athletic silhouette for freedom of movement.
Racerback cut, full-compression support and a leakproof gusset that keeps you protected through your heaviest training days – perfect for club training, galas, master meets and any session where
you’d normally pick a one-piece.
● Competition Tie Back Swimsuit (£70): An adjustable performance fit developed for club swimmers and athletes seeking a personalised fit.
● Competition Bikini Bottom & Top Set (£80): Versatile performance wear for pool and open water.
Available in sizes XXS-L (Adult & Teen)
Hannah Miley MBE said: “As swimmers, we spend countless hours training and building confidence in the water.
“No athlete should feel their period is a reason to miss a session or step away from the sport they love.
“Having period swimwear specifically designed for intensive swimming can make a huge difference to confidence, particularly for younger athletes navigating puberty while balancing training and competition.”
Events
WUKA brings Period-Positive Pool Party to London Aquatics Centre to keep girls swimming through puberty
This summer, WUKA and triple Olympian Hannah Miley MBE are bringing their Period-Positive Pool Party to London Aquatics Centre with one clear mission: to prove that periods should never keep anyone out of the water
At a time when 84 per cent of teenage girls in the UK say their interest in sport declines after starting their period – and nearly 70 per cent report skipping sports or swimming due to menstruation – WUKA’s immersive community event is tackling one of the most overlooked barriers to girls’ participation head-on.
WUKA’s Period-Positive Pool Party was created as a safe, inclusive space for teens to swim on their periods with confidence.
Following a series of sold-out events across the UK, including Eastleigh and Stonehaven in Hannah Miley’s hometown of Aberdeen, the London-based Olympic venue is a result of growing demand from teens and parents seeking supportive, stigma-free spaces to stay active during menstruation.
Why This Matters?
For many young people – particularly those who are not ready to use tampons due to age, comfort, cultural reasons, or parental guidance – swimming during their period can feel inaccessible.
WUKA’s period swimwear offers an alternative designed to provide comfort, coverage, and confidence, helping ensure that periods don’t mean sitting on the sidelines.
The new one-hour London takeover combines swimming, education, and empowerment in one of the UK’s most iconic sporting venues.
Breaking The Stigma While Making A Splash
So much more than a product event, WUKA’s Period-Positive Pool Party is a fully immersive experience featuring a DJ-approved summer playlist, inflatable pool installations, and professional underwater photography capturing barrier-free swimming moments. Every teen will also receive a curated £80 wellness goodie bag, including free WUKA swimwear.
But more than anything, they’re about freedom, confidence, and belonging, ensuring the confidence to swim, period, or not, continues long after they leave the water.
Hannah Miley MBE says: “Being an athlete taught me that your cycle isn’t a weakness, it’s just something to manage.
“Partnering with WUKA for this Pool Party is about showing young swimmers that with the right support and the right kit, they don’t have to press pause on their lives or their sport because of their period.”
WUKA Founder Ruby Raut says: “This is about more than a pool party – it’s about changing what inclusion in sport actually looks like.
“Too many girls step back from swimming and physical activity because of period stigma or lack of options.
“Through community-led events like this, we’re breaking barriers, building confidence, and making sure no one feels excluded from sport because of their cycle.”
Saturday 30th May 2026 | 5–6pm | London Aquatics Centre
Want to join the pool party? Follow this link to buy your tickets
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