Rare Multicentric Breast Cancer Diagnosed in 26-Year-Old

LaShae Rolle, a 26-year-old Ph.D. candidate from the Bahamas, was pursuing her degree in Community Health at the University of Miami when she found a lump in her breast. Despite her youth and no family history of breast cancer, she decided to get it checked. She received a referral to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the UHealth system.

The mammogram and ultrasound revealed a surprising diagnosis: multicentric breast cancer. This rare form of cancer develops when two or more tumours grow in separate quadrants of the breast.

“I have a background in epidemiology,” says Rolle, who focuses on cancer disparities in minority communities. Her diagnosis opened her eyes to the challenges facing adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. While less than 1% of females under 30 are diagnosed with breast cancer, it still affects around 84,000 AYAs in the U.S. annually.

Rolle now includes AYAs in her research and community efforts.

Unique Challenges for AYAs with Breast Cancer

A breast cancer diagnosis in young adults brings unique challenges. Life-altering decisions must be made quickly. Fertility is one major concern.

“In a split second, I had to decide if I wanted kids,” Rolle recalls. She chose to have her eggs harvested.

Young patients often receive more intense treatments because their cancer can be more advanced. They also face a higher risk of recurrence due to their longer life expectancy.

Clinical Trials and Mental Health

Rolle is participating in two clinical trials. The first examines the link between cancer and Caribbean or African ancestry. It seeks to discover if specific genetic mutations increase cancer risk. The second study focuses on improving the mental health of cancer survivors.

Since breast cancer screening for AYAs isn’t common, Rolle advises young people to know their bodies. She learned to do self-breast exams at age 10.

“Get to know your body. It wasn’t hard,” she says.

The Power of Exercise

Rolle, a former college basketball player and now a powerlifter, encourages exercise for cancer survivors. “Exercise can improve side effects of chemo and radiation,” she says. “It helps with mental health, too.”

However, there are no specific guidelines for how hard AYAs with cancer should exercise. Rolle hopes to change that.

“I want to be that person,” she says.

Her mentor, Dr. Tracy Crane, admires her dedication. “LaShae has always been driven to study how to make cancer care equitable,” says Crane. Having gone through her own experience, Rolle can design better studies and trials.

Long before her diagnosis, Rolle wanted to be an advocate for cancer research. “This is hard now,” she says, “but I understand what survivors go through, and I want to help them.”

(Newswise)