Young Woman’s Battle with Breast Cancer Sparks Call for Change

At the age of 21, Lauren Barrett made a discovery in the shower that would alter the course of her life. She found a lump in her breast, prompting a fight for proper medical attention amid concerns related to her age and family history of cancer. With her mother diagnosed with ovarian cancer and a known carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation, Barrett was acutely aware of the potential risks but faced obstacles in accessing timely genetic testing.

Barrett recalls her mother’s diagnosis five years prior, when she was just 16. “It was always on my radar,” Barrett said. Despite requesting genetic testing, she was informed that it would not be recommended until she turned 25. “When I found the lump in April 2021, I thought it was important to act quickly,” she added.

The young woman, from Tralee, Ireland, visited her general practitioner, who referred her to Cork University Hospital (CUH), the nearest facility for breast care. However, she soon learned that due to her age, her case was not treated with the urgency it warranted. “Despite my family history and the referral marked as urgent, I was placed on a public waiting list that had a six to eight-month delay,” Barrett explained.

Fortunately, she had health insurance, allowing her to pursue a private referral. Yet, her path to a diagnosis continued to be fraught with challenges, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and a significant cyber attack on the Health Service Executive (HSE), which disrupted medical services. “I was told I’d be seen within a week, but after ten days, I had to follow up because they had lost my referral,” Barrett recounted.

After navigating multiple setbacks, Barrett underwent a physical examination, which initially identified the lump as a benign cyst. Subsequent ultrasounds and biopsies revealed the mass, leading to a devastating confirmation of her worst fears. “I was diagnosed on June 4, 2021, during one of the many lockdowns,” she said. “I wasn’t shocked, given my family history.”

Barrett faced a grueling treatment regimen that included five months of chemotherapy, a full mastectomy, and radiation sessions, all while managing her studies. “I took a year off from college but returned in September 2022 to finish my undergraduate degree,” she shared. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience, focusing on Parkinson’s research.

Reflecting on her experience, Barrett is determined to raise awareness about the challenges faced by young people in assessing breast cancer risks. “The mammogram age is set too high at 50, while many cases occur in younger individuals,” she stated. She emphasizes the need for education on self-checks and awareness of breast cancer symptoms.

Barrett’s case underscores significant gaps in the healthcare system regarding the assessment of young individuals for breast cancer. “If I hadn’t been as determined, I might not have been seen,” she said, highlighting the frustrating reality that many young people may not have a family history to prompt urgent evaluations.

The young advocate stresses the importance of early detection and timely treatment. “When I was diagnosed, it was stage 3, grade 3. If I had waited on the public list, the outcome could have been vastly different,” she cautioned.

While Barrett is grateful for the care she eventually received, she believes that systemic changes are necessary to ensure young people are not overlooked based on age alone. “Once I was seen, the treatment was excellent. But the system needs to change to facilitate quicker access to care for those at risk,” she asserted.

As she continues her journey as a PhD student and advocate, Barrett remains committed to empowering others through her story. She hopes her experience will inspire improvements in the screening system and greater awareness of breast cancer in younger populations. “The responsibility often falls on individuals to advocate for themselves, and that needs to change,” she concluded.