Abstract
Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women age 40–55. Of the 215,990 new cases identified in 2004, 7% of patients are less that 40, with 2.5% age 35 and younger. Young women may present with biologically more aggressive tumors, translating into a more unfavorable prognosis. In general, the traditional nursing contributions to the care of women with breast cancer are limited to the specific practice domains within surgery, medical and radiation oncology. Identifying the unique aspects of nursing care for this group will have special emphasis on age specific developmental tasks for these women. These tasks include: finding a mate, starting a family, managing a household, professional development and finding a social network within society. Interference of these tasks by the treatments for breast cancer is seen not only in the physical changes of body image and fertility, but in the psychosocial areas that impact cognitive functioning and coping with the threats of the disease as they strive towards survivorship. The advanced practice role of the nurse practitioner in the care of young women with breast cancer is characteristically poised to integrate and synthesize all aspects of breast cancer management.