Young women with breast cancer in resource-limited settings: What we know and what we need to do better

Abstract

Young women with breast cancer (YWBC) account for a variable proportion of patients diagnosed with breast cancer around the globe, with a higher prevalence in resource-limited settings than in high-income countries. This group represents a unique population that warrants special attention due to specific biological considerations and age-specific supportive care issues. This review aims to explore existing knowledge regarding YWBC’s needs, particularly in resource-restricted settings. To date, scarce information regarding the care of YWBC in resource-constrained countries is available, with most reports describing suboptimal care in terms of survivorship needs. Health care providers should implement actions to improve endocrine treatment adherence, referrals for fertility counseling and preservation, contraceptive use compliance, timely body image and sexual function interventions, comprehensive genetic risk assessments, and early quality of life and psychosocial health interventions. While high costs act as a barrier for optimal care in resource-limited settings, improving patient education represents a promising and cost-effective solution to improve patient care. Future research on developing tailored educational resources for YWBC in resource-limited settings should be considered a priority.