Duke Health

When Luisa Scott found out her unborn daughter Zoey had a cleft lip and palate, she and her husband were uncertain where to seek care. Then, they met the Duke Health Cleft and Craniofacial team and felt confident in their choice to go to Duke. Now, one year after her cleft palate repair surgery, Zoey is happy and healthy. “I love Duke. I had the best experience there,” said 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.”