FAU’s Tarsha Jones led a study of nearly 100 young breast cancer survivors that had been diagnosed before age 40. The team found that although 93% had had genetic testing, most had negative results, showing that genetics alone do not explain the rise in these early onset cases. More than half of the participants reported a family history of breast cancer, and most felt a lump by chance or through self-exam, not a mammogram.

The findings point to the need for more awareness of early warning signs, family health history, and risk management. Jones is developing tailored interventions to improve genetic testing decisions, family communication, and quality of life for younger survivors. “Younger women face unique challenges and are more likely to die from the disease compared to older women, making research and support in this area critically important.”

• Tarsha Jones