"Too Young" - Documentary Film Project
Donation protected
Intro:
"Too young" is a documentary film which aims to dismantle the myth that women can be too young to have breast cancer, but also puts a spotlight on how women are treated in a medical setting. This documentary is NOT only for cancer patients, it is for ALL WOMEN.
The Goal:
To use this documentary as a tool to change the language and protocols used for young women at risk for breast cancer. It will highlight the unique stories, challenges and perspectives of a diverse group of young women who were told they were too young to have breast cancer. We will follow patients undergoing breast cancer treatment during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and hear interviews from those who have completed treatment and those who haven't started yet. The documentary will be shown at hospitals, universities, medical conferences, news outlets, Social Platforms, Netflix, etc. in order to push for change in how this issue is addressed.
Story time:
Earlier on in my Stage II BC diagnosis, I was at the hospital waiting for a Mammogram when suddenly, I heard a young woman yelling at the secretary, "I'm not doing the test! There's no point! I'm only 34, I CAN'T HAVE BREAST CANCER!" and she angrily walked out. I wanted so badly to tell her "PLEASE do it! I'm only 31 and just got diagnosed!" but I froze because I was mortified, still in shock from my own diagnosis. I will forever regret that moment.
Unfortunately, many women think they are immune due to their age and the language around the subject. They are misled into thinking they are too young or that only sick people get cancer or if it doesn't run in their family, they don't have to worry. But that's simply not true. To make matters worse, when women do feel as though there is something wrong, often times we are brushed off by our doctors, and not given the option to do any testing. Young women of color have it even worse. They are not taken seriously by medical professionals to an even greater extent and also remain underrepresented in clinical trials for treatment.
Food for thought:
About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary!
12,000+ women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year .
1000+ women under the age of 40 die from Breast cancer every year.
The mortality rate for black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42% higher than white women.
Breast cancer patients are everyday women like your mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and YOU, and we often have no other major health issues. That's right! Anyone can get it, men too for that matter. Breast cancer does not discriminate.
Call For Action:
I'm reaching out to you because I need your financial support to make this message loud and clear. Medical Professionals as well as the general public need to stop circulating the myth that Women can be "Too Young" for Breast Cancer. It is simply not true and is literally killing us.
I have heard dozens of stories about later-stage diagnoses because their doctors denied testing. Many would have survived if only their doctor had taken them seriously early on.
My own Nurse Practitioner told me to throw a hot towel on my tumor and it would disappear! I had a tumor in me for 2 YEARS until I fought back to get it removed!
We have tried to sue doctors for medical malpractice, but doing so is nearly impossible. So how do we get the message across?
I asked a tiny corner of the internet for feedback on a creative project on the topic. Within hours, 36 women from around the world expressed interest in telling their stories (I still get messages from women via this single post). I was floored. And so "Too Young," the Documentary film project began.
Funding:
Any support you can offer to move the needle is highly appreciated. Every single dollar counts. Money will be used to pay for production of this documentary and to pay those who are contributing to the project. Any overflow will go towards helping these cancer patients pay their painfully high bills! Please help make a massive change in Young Women's Health! We ALL need to be heard.
Sincerely,
A Breast Cancer Survivor
"Too young" is a documentary film which aims to dismantle the myth that women can be too young to have breast cancer, but also puts a spotlight on how women are treated in a medical setting. This documentary is NOT only for cancer patients, it is for ALL WOMEN.
The Goal:
To use this documentary as a tool to change the language and protocols used for young women at risk for breast cancer. It will highlight the unique stories, challenges and perspectives of a diverse group of young women who were told they were too young to have breast cancer. We will follow patients undergoing breast cancer treatment during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and hear interviews from those who have completed treatment and those who haven't started yet. The documentary will be shown at hospitals, universities, medical conferences, news outlets, Social Platforms, Netflix, etc. in order to push for change in how this issue is addressed.
Story time:
Earlier on in my Stage II BC diagnosis, I was at the hospital waiting for a Mammogram when suddenly, I heard a young woman yelling at the secretary, "I'm not doing the test! There's no point! I'm only 34, I CAN'T HAVE BREAST CANCER!" and she angrily walked out. I wanted so badly to tell her "PLEASE do it! I'm only 31 and just got diagnosed!" but I froze because I was mortified, still in shock from my own diagnosis. I will forever regret that moment.
Unfortunately, many women think they are immune due to their age and the language around the subject. They are misled into thinking they are too young or that only sick people get cancer or if it doesn't run in their family, they don't have to worry. But that's simply not true. To make matters worse, when women do feel as though there is something wrong, often times we are brushed off by our doctors, and not given the option to do any testing. Young women of color have it even worse. They are not taken seriously by medical professionals to an even greater extent and also remain underrepresented in clinical trials for treatment.
Food for thought:
About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary!
12,000+ women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year .
1000+ women under the age of 40 die from Breast cancer every year.
The mortality rate for black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42% higher than white women.
Breast cancer patients are everyday women like your mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and YOU, and we often have no other major health issues. That's right! Anyone can get it, men too for that matter. Breast cancer does not discriminate.
Call For Action:
I'm reaching out to you because I need your financial support to make this message loud and clear. Medical Professionals as well as the general public need to stop circulating the myth that Women can be "Too Young" for Breast Cancer. It is simply not true and is literally killing us.
I have heard dozens of stories about later-stage diagnoses because their doctors denied testing. Many would have survived if only their doctor had taken them seriously early on.
My own Nurse Practitioner told me to throw a hot towel on my tumor and it would disappear! I had a tumor in me for 2 YEARS until I fought back to get it removed!
We have tried to sue doctors for medical malpractice, but doing so is nearly impossible. So how do we get the message across?
I asked a tiny corner of the internet for feedback on a creative project on the topic. Within hours, 36 women from around the world expressed interest in telling their stories (I still get messages from women via this single post). I was floored. And so "Too Young," the Documentary film project began.
Funding:
Any support you can offer to move the needle is highly appreciated. Every single dollar counts. Money will be used to pay for production of this documentary and to pay those who are contributing to the project. Any overflow will go towards helping these cancer patients pay their painfully high bills! Please help make a massive change in Young Women's Health! We ALL need to be heard.
Sincerely,
A Breast Cancer Survivor
Organizer
Vanessa Dutra
Organizer
North Reading, MA