Pueblo woman details cancer battle amid rising rates among young people [Video]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – One Pueblo woman is sharing the story of her shock breast cancer diagnosis in hopes it inspires others to

Hailey Shirley said her journey started in January of 2023 when she began experiencing a strange pain under her armpit.

“As soon as she finished with my ultrasound, she was like, ‘Sometimes the doctor typically likes to come and talk to patients,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, that doesn’t sound great,”’ she said.

Shirley said a biopsy confirmed her fears, she had breast cancer at only 24 years old, something that even surprised her doctor.

“My doctor has patients in her 30s and late 20s, rarely, but never 24 so she was also very shocked,” Shirley said.

One expert at the University of Colorado Cancer Center said Shirley’s experience is becoming more common, as early-onset cancer rates are on the rise.

Program Director Andrea Dwyer said, by …