Reproductivity concerns among young women with breast cancer: Living under the shadow of fear

Background Facing breast cancer at a young age brings many challenges, and reproductive concerns are often among the most distressing. For women diagnosed during their childbearing years, questions about fertility, future pregnancies, and the health of their children can significantly affect emotional well-being. Understanding the nature, severity, and cultural roots of these concerns is essential for offering meaningful support to patients and their families. Methods This quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in 2021 in northwest Iran. A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional survey was followed by a qualitative exploration of personal experiences. The quantitative phase included 139 women under the age of 45 diagnosed with breast cancer. For the qualitative phase, 30 women who had completed cancer treatment and were willing to share their experiences were selected using purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 with a 95% confidence level, while qualitative data were examined through conventional content analysis. Results The average age of participants was 37.55 ± 5.95 years. The overall mean score for perceived reproductive concerns was 48.5 ± 6, indicating moderate to high levels of concern. Women who had undergone complementary therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy reported significantly higher concern levels (mean score: 45.26 ± 4.5). Concerns related to personal health—the ability to care for themselves and their children—ranked the highest. Through qualitative interviews, two major themes emerged as the root causes of these worries: Living under the shadow of fear and Restrictions linked to illness, treatment, and financial strain. Conclusions Young women with breast cancer face considerable reproductive concerns, with personal health standing out as their greatest source of anxiety. Tailored, culturally sensitive education and support programs are urgently needed to help patients and their families cope with these challenges and maintain hope for the future.