Sarah Murdoch has called on young women and doctors to be aware that although it's rare, breast cancer can occur at age 20 and 30 so symptoms should not be ignored.
"Breast cancer can affect anyone, even women as young as 18," Ms Murdoch said.
The former Australia's Next Top Model host and patron of the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Wednesday launched the first major report into women with breast cancer aged under 40.
She said young women with breast cancer need more help and support than they are now receiving.
"We noticed that young women are under served, both in research being conducted, and under served in a support area as well," Ms Murdoch told AAP.
More than 14,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year and about 800 of these are women under 40.
Although breast cancer is not common in young women, those affected are typically diagnosed with more aggressive types of cancers and are more likely to die from the disease, according to the Breast Cancer Foundation report.
"When you're young, treatments for breast cancer are often very aggressive, so the chemotherapy is very tough," Ms Murdoch said.
"As a result they may need more time off work, so we are trying to bring more awareness to employers that breast cancer among young women is going to be a tough road for them."
Nearly half the young women diagnosed with breast cancer change jobs because they are physically and emotionally unable to do the same role during or after their cancer treatment.
A woman diagnosed at the age of 35 can expect to be more than $40,000 worse off over her lifetime due to lost income and out-of-pocket expenses, according to a report commissioned by Cancer Council NSW.
The Foundation wants to improve awareness among women and GPs that cancer can occur at any age.
"Young women can feel `bullet proof' and are often fit and healthy when they're diagnosed, so we want to make sure breast cancer is on their radar," Ms Murdoch said.
"And a few women told us that their doctors said they were too young to get breast cancer and to come back later."
The Breast Cancer Foundation report, which surveyed 100 Australian women as well as reviewing international research, said routine screening is not offered to women under the age of 40, as the evidence shows that it is not effective in this group.
The foundation has launched a new website where young women can share their personal experiences with breast cancer: 800youngwomen.org.au
SOME FACTS ON BREAST CANCER:
* 14,181 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia; 767 of these were women under 40 years old, according to the latest data from 2010.
* Breast cancer in young women is typically more aggressive.
* The nature of a young woman's breast tissue may play a part in the development of breast cancer.
* Common changes that could be due to breast cancer include: a lump or thickening in the breast; a change in the shape or size of the breast or nipple; dimpling of the skin or the nipple; discharge or blood from the nipple; a rash or changes to the skin around the breast; persistent pain in the breast or armpit; swelling or a lump in the armpit.
Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation
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