African American women are disproportionately impacted by breast cancer, including triple-negative disease, at a young age. Yet most public health research in breast cancer focuses on women of screening age. This study identified the specific breast cancer educational needs of African American women below the recommended screening age. Data were collected through 30 key informant interviews with young African American women breast cancer survivors (diagnosed between 18 and 45), family members of African American women diagnosed between 18–45 years, and community organization leaders and healthcare providers who work with young African American women impacted by breast cancer. Data were coded and analyzed by multiple team members using template analysis. The analysis identified four overarching themes reflecting breast cancer educational needs of young African American women. Although most Breast Cancer Knowledge and Perceived Risk educational needs were consistent with those of older women, there were specific needs involving Cultural Reluctance in Health Disclosures and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction. With regard to Healthcare Provider Relationships, participants stated a need for younger women to be particularly proactive in advocating for their health, as providers may be dismissive about cancer concerns due to young age. Though breast cancer in younger women is statistically improbable, there are educational needs specific to young African American women involving self-advocacy and family history. Findings have implications for developing interventions guiding young women to advocate for themselves in medical encounters and in their families, as well as for teaching medical providers how to counsel the young women regarding breast cancer.

非洲裔美国女性在年轻时受到乳腺癌（包括三阴性乳腺癌）的影响尤为严重。然而，大多数关于乳腺癌的公共卫生研究都集中在筛查年龄的女性身上。这项研究确定了低于建议筛查年龄的非裔美国女性的特定乳腺癌教育需求。数据是通过对 30 位关键线人访谈收集的，访谈对象包括年轻的非裔美国女性乳腺癌幸存者（诊断年龄在 18 至 45 岁之间）、诊断为 18 至 45 岁的非裔美国女性的家庭成员，以及与年轻的非裔美国人一起工作的社区组织领导和医疗保健提供者受乳腺癌影响的妇女。多个团队成员使用模板分析对数据进行编码和分析。该分析确定了反映年轻非洲裔美国女性乳腺癌教育需求的四个总体主题。虽然大多数乳腺癌知识和感知风险教育需求与老年妇女的教育需求一致，在健康披露和降低乳腺癌风险方面存在涉及文化不情愿的特定需求。关于医疗保健提供者关系, 与会者表示，年轻女性需要特别积极主动地倡导她们的健康，因为提供者可能会因为年龄小而对癌症问题不屑一顾。虽然年轻女性患乳腺癌的可能性在统计上是不可能的，但年轻的非裔美国女性有特定的教育需求，包括自我宣传和家族史。研究结果对制定干预措施具有重要意义，可指导年轻女性在医疗遭遇和家庭中为自己辩护，以及教导医疗提供者如何就乳腺癌向年轻女性提供咨询。