When Richmond's Jennifer Luce was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2006, little did she know just how much her life would change.
The News first met Luce in April 2007. At the time, she was 29 and on the road to recovery. She had survived a brutal round of chemotherapy and surgery. Her boyfriend had stood by her through what she described as: "My crankiness, mood swings, lots of nausea and my being extremely sick."
However, Luce didn't count on the lingering health effects, isolation, fear, the career uncertainty and financial burdens that plagued her for a few years afterwards.
She knew she needed help. So, Luce searched the Internet for other young adult cancer survivors like herself.
"I had a hard time finding support groups with people my age," said the corporate assistant in the City of Richmond's Chief Administrative Officer's office.
"The first support group I joined was with women in their sixties and they spoke about who died or about their grandchildren . I didn't want to think about dying."
Today, the 34-year-old is celebrating her fifth year cancer free. Luce approached the News because she wanted to spread the word that there is help out there for those who feel lost and alone.
Luce is an advocate for young adult cancer survivors; she is a speaker, peer counselor, blogger and writer.
She is involved in Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC), and often blogs about the psychological aspects of cancer survivorship on the (http: //multimed.current-oncology.com/patients/?tag=turning-your-lifearound).
She recently hosted a YACC event called Give It or Get It, which invited young adult cancer survivors to see the film 50/50 (about a young man diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and his journey with family and friends).
"A discussion was held to talk about the issues we face through our cancer journey," she said.
She is also in a documentary film (www. wrongwaytohope.com), in which eight cancer survivors, ranging in ages from 22 to 38, spent a week on a remote river in Oregon.
The film documents their personal stories with cancer and the fears and struggles they've faced.
"It wasn't unlike having cancer . you don't know what's up ahead and you don't know how rough the rapids are going to be," said Luce, who will also be attending the YACC Survivor Conference in Ottawa this November.
Luce said her commitment comes from the fact that "the young adult population is a forgotten one." Luce has spoken to many other young survivors like her and they agree that young adult cancer survivors are falling through the cracks of a health-care system intended for older patients.
"Often we are misdiagnosed, as I was initially, because doctors often don't believe that we do get cancer," said Luce.
Luce was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called endodermal sinus tumor, which started inside her ovary.
"Only two per cent of diagnosed cancers is this one," said Luce, adding she had an abdominal mass the size of a mango. "I was studying for my bachelor's of arts degree so I thought I was eating too much and gaining weight.
"The doctors had no clue where it (the cancer) came from."
All doctors know for sure is that endodermal sinus tumor seems to hit young women under the age of 30.
"They suspect it might be occupational or maybe it's permanent hair dyes, but I've never dyed my hair," she added.
The 1995 graduate of Richmond secondary said she had no genetic or hereditary disposition to her cancer. Luce's cancer journey has changed the way she views life and death.
"I am more tolerant, more patient with what my body can and can't do and I'm much more positive about life," she said. "I've seen enough death and been at the bedside of many dying friends and it isn't scary to me anymore."
Janie Brown, the executive director and counselor of oncology with the Callanish Society, has worked with people with cancer and their families for more than two decades, including several years at the B.C. Cancer Agency as a clinical nurse specialist and for the last 12 years in her counseling practice.
She agreed that young adult cancer survivors have very specific issues that haven't been particular well addressed in terms of services and programs available to them.
"Young adult cancer survivors have very different needs," said Brown. "They often feel isolated because many of their peers, friends and co-workers either don't know what to say to them or how to help them.
"Other huge issues for young cancer survivors are infertility and financial."
Callanish Society offers monthly support meetings, one-on-one support as well as support either by phone, Facebook or email.
"I see how helpful our monthly support groups are because there is a connection between them and a level of understanding that is so much deeper," said Brown.
Meanwhile, Luce smiled as she said her goodbyes, adding she has a lot to celebrate today. She is in love (two years and going strong), and enjoying life.
"There is help out there, people just need to know how to access it," she added.
Websites for young cancer patients:
? Young Adult Cancer Canada: www. youngadultcancer.ca
? Callanish Society: www.callanish.org
? Inspire Health: www.inspirehealth.ca
? Vital Options: http: //www.vitaloptions.org/ yawc.htm
? Current Oncology - Life After Cancer: http: //multimed.current-oncology.com/ patients/
? I'm Too Young For This: http: //stupidcancer. com/
