Why do I talk about breast cancer to millenials? Because they care.

Breast cancer isn't just an "older" woman's disease. 

Someone recently asked me about the demographics of my blog. They wanted to know whether or not I had followers who were considered millennials. My initial response (in my head) was...

ABSOLUTELY! DAMN RIGHT! I DON'T DISCRIMINATE! I TALK TO EVERYONE!

Yes... I was cap-typing in my head because I was yelling in my mind. Don't act like y'all don't know how I do... 

But, I paused for a second and thought about it... yes, I have a strong millennial following and yes, I speak to them directly about breast cancer. However, because I am a nerd and I like to be sure and not just guessing... I researched the specifics about who millennials were and then looked at my demographics. Millennials are an interesting group. They have big hearts, optimistic outlooks, and ideas for change.

Read: What is a Millenial?  and  Amid the stereotypes, here are some facts about millenials

I have a nice sized millennial following, which may surprise a lot of people because of my topic. But it shouldn't... here's why.

Why millennials follow my blog and are concerned about breast cancer:

• They know someone who has had breast cancer. Moms, sisters, grandmothers, aunties, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers/professors... breast cancer strikes women (and men) in every walk of life. At any given moment. 
• They're just as afraid of breast cancer as older women are. And they should be. Millennials will not always be the "babies" of the world. They look to us older folks for a lot of information and direction -- even if they don't seem to take it in. They are paying attention.
• Millennials are action-oriented. Millennials get a bad rap about being slightly lazy and very entitled. As a Gen-X'er... I'll take some of the blame for that. We've told them all the things they are able to do, entitled to have and how wonderful they are... for their entire lives. To set them free in the world and not expect them to have high expectations of the world is crazy. The world hasn't lived up to the hype though and that's not their fault. But if you sit back and look around... Millennials are amazing and they're getting shit done. In real ways; just not in the same ways that we did things. They are very attentive and many are determined to set the world on fire with their ideas and actions. I'm proud of them for that. 
• Millennials get breast cancer too. And they are just as afraid and just as angry as the rest of the world about that. 

I sincerely believe that how the millennial generation chooses to handle this disease is going to be amazing. They're watching all of us, they're using technology to their advantage and they are changing the world. I wouldn't be surprised if a millennial finds a cure for cancer. They are just that amazing.

Not that long ago, I was a young college student learning about my breast health and discussing breast cancer with a survivor who was also my professor. I know that seeds planted on young, fertile soil will grow up into strong supporters of the advocacy around this disease.

I have a millennial heart... honestly

I've considered myself to be similar to a female version of Peter Pan most of my adult life. "I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid" has been my silent mantra. For me, it is mostly an unconscious attraction to using technology to learn and absorb information and to connect with friends and family as well as a deeply empathetic heart. I don't seek it, it just makes sense. I've been "doing" social media long before it had a name and was a movement. I've been using the internet as a way to connect with people and build friendships and communities for decades now. I was a millennial in spirit, long before that was an idea at all. Which makes me a pretty strange Gen X'er. My feet and mind are in both worlds. I translate from one world to another... actually I translate between 3 generations because Baby Boomers don't understand any of us.

I was a young woman with breast cancer. Millennials are young men and women who care about the world and know that breast cancer is a devastating disease. They want to see all of us thrive and live. Being young does not mean that you will not be impacted by breast cancer. We all should be brave enough to speak honestly with young people about this disease, it's impact and the importance of their breast health.

Millennials care. I will not ever ignore that demographic because other people think they're too young or too self-absorbed to care. I know that they care. Because they tell me that they do. And I believe them.

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Nicole McLean is a survivor of Stage 3 breast cancer and the Founder of the award-winning breast cancer blog, My Fabulous Boobies. Leading with compassion, empathy, and passion, she helps other survivors and their caregivers understand and prepare themselves for the breast cancer journey and life after breast cancer. Her focus is on survivorship and reconnecting with the "you" that gets lost after diagnosis. She consults with businesses and individuals (or families) on ways to make this terrible experience a bit more manageable. She has written several books regarding specific aspects of the breast cancer experience, with several more in the pipeline. bit.ly/FabBoobiesBio  << Nicole's bio for FabulousBoobies.com bit.ly/FabBoobiesBooksbyNicole  << List of books written by Nicole for FabulousBoobies.com bit.ly/FabBoobiesShop  << The FabulousBoobies.com Gift Shop (cancer tees) 

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