Brand Insights Rising Cancer Rates Among Younger Women: Local Woman Shares Her Story Annette Lindell was just 38 and in the midst of planning her wedding when she first felt the lump in her breast. Due to her younger age, she initially wasn't overly concerned, and her diagnosis came as a shock: triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms. Presented by City of Hope Cancer Center rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than in men the same age, up from 51% a little over two decades ago. "I'm seeing this trend in my clinic more often. It's concerning. It should be a wake-up call both for young women and the health care community, " says Carolyn Bhakta, M.D., F.A.C.S., oncoplastic breast surgeon at City of Hope Chicago. Cancer incidence rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than in men the same age, up from 51% in 2002. Annette reached out to City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago, where she was seen almost immediately. Within a week she had started treatment, which would include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and Cancer Screening and Early Detection in the Chicago Area radiation. Even in the middle of treatment, Annette held onto the life she had been building - and just weeks before surgery, she walked down the aisle to marry her fiancé, Max. "Not a single person would have known from the lashes, wig and dress that I had cancer," Annette says. "My surgeon, Dr. (David J.) Winchester, positioned my port in my arm so the scar wouldn't show when I was wearing my wedding dress." After recovering from surgery, Annette and her husband left for their dream honeymoon. When they returned, she completed radiation - and the following year, the couple welcomed a beautiful baby girl. Annette's story is uplifting, but it also reflects a larger and troubling trend. More young women are being diagnosed with cancer - and often, like Annette, they don't initially think they are at risk. According to a recent report from the American Cancer Society, cancer incidence Dr. Bhakta emphasizes the importance of understanding personal risk factors and having early, informed conversations with a clinician. Family history, genetics and ancestry can influence whether a woman should begin screenings before age 40 - and for anyone who notices symptoms, even at a younger age, timely evaluation matters. City of Hope offers a range of screening services for breast, colorectal and lung cancers, as well as a comprehensive, personalized program for women who are at elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Appointments are available quickly, so women can take control of their health. "Screening is key - when cancer is found early, it's often more treatable and curable. Early detection can save your life. -Dr. Carolyn Bhakta, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, City of Hope Chicago To learn more about City of Hope Chicago, visit cityofhope.org/chicago. For screening appointments, call our community care team at 844-693-4448 or email DL-communitycareteam@coh.org. Brand Insights Rising Cancer Rates Among Younger Women : Local Woman Shares Her Story Annette Lindell was just 38 and in the midst of planning her wedding when she first felt the lump in her breast . Due to her younger age , she initially wasn't overly concerned , and her diagnosis came as a shock : triple - negative breast cancer , one of the most aggressive forms . Presented by City of Hope Cancer Center rates in women under 50 are now 82 % higher than in men the same age , up from 51 % a little over two decades ago . " I'm seeing this trend in my clinic more often . It's concerning . It should be a wake - up call both for young women and the health care community , " says Carolyn Bhakta , M.D. , F.A.C.S. , oncoplastic breast surgeon at City of Hope Chicago . Cancer incidence rates in women under 50 are now 82 % higher than in men the same age , up from 51 % in 2002 . Annette reached out to City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago , where she was seen almost immediately . Within a week she had started treatment , which would include chemotherapy , immunotherapy , surgery and Cancer Screening and Early Detection in the Chicago Area radiation . Even in the middle of treatment , Annette held onto the life she had been building - and just weeks before surgery , she walked down the aisle to marry her fiancé , Max . " Not a single person would have known from the lashes , wig and dress that I had cancer , " Annette says . " My surgeon , Dr. ( David J. ) Winchester , positioned my port in my arm so the scar wouldn't show when I was wearing my wedding dress . " After recovering from surgery , Annette and her husband left for their dream honeymoon . When they returned , she completed radiation - and the following year , the couple welcomed a beautiful baby girl . Annette's story is uplifting , but it also reflects a larger and troubling trend . More young women are being diagnosed with cancer - and often , like Annette , they don't initially think they are at risk . According to a recent report from the American Cancer Society , cancer incidence Dr. Bhakta emphasizes the importance of understanding personal risk factors and having early , informed conversations with a clinician . Family history , genetics and ancestry can influence whether a woman should begin screenings before age 40 - and for anyone who notices symptoms , even at a younger age , timely evaluation matters . City of Hope offers a range of screening services for breast , colorectal and lung cancers , as well as a comprehensive , personalized program for women who are at elevated risk of developing breast cancer . Appointments are available quickly , so women can take control of their health . " Screening is key - when cancer is found early , it's often more treatable and curable . Early detection can save your life . -Dr . Carolyn Bhakta , Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon , City of Hope Chicago To learn more about City of Hope Chicago , visit cityofhope.org/chicago . For screening appointments , call our community care team at 844-693-4448 or email DL-communitycareteam@coh.org .