“You’re young & healthy.”
This was a quote that I heard time & time again with my young patients. If they’re so young & healthy, then why do they have cancer?
As frustrating as that may be for us to hear, imagine hearing that as a patient.
For Shauna O’Brien of the Too Young For This Shit Podcast, this is her reality. Shauna was diagnosed with stage 3 hormone positive breast cancer at the age of 32. She had a double mastectomy, lymph node removal surgery, completed 16 rounds of chemo, and 25 rounds of radiation in 2021.
One of the things that blows me away is how long it took to get a diagnosis. Shauna, and others, have actually had to fight to get their diagnoses because of their age. Being told “you’re too young” needs to stop.
As Shauna was doing a deep-dive into all things breast cancer and what to expect, she met Rosalina, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. Also “too young”. They hit it off and decided to start a podcast together. In the podcast, they talk about the beginning, middle, & end of treatment, the rawness of it all, & more. Shauna & Rosalina have created a sense of community & empowerment for others going through this.
In our interview, we talk about the fact that it’s important to hear the patient’s side of things – their point of view & the different aspects of life that cancer affects: physically, emotionally, mentally, relationships, socially, etc., and the positive effects of physical therapy.
Shauna talks about their goals and dreams for the Too Young For This Shit podcast. They want to be the podcast that women and men turn to when they are going through a cancer diagnosis and beyond. They want to be their lifeline, be there for them, and create a community.
Stay tuned for season 2 on Apple!
About Shauna
I’m 33 years old, live in NYC and was diagnosed with stage 3 hormone positive breast cancer at the age of 32. I had a double mastectomy, lymph node removal surgery, completed 16 rounds of Chemo and 25 rounds of radiation in 2021. While undergoing Chemo I met a fellow “Breastie” and we decided to start a podcast and document our journeys. You can find the “Too Young For This Sh*t Podcast” season one on Apple Podcast and Spotify and season 2 will be out this summer!
Want more on AYA Cancer?
Listen to these episodes:
Ep. 69 – PT & Cancer Survivor: Scott’s Perspective
Ep. 139 – Cancer, COVID, & survivorship: what this PT wants you to know