YSC Announces Support for Rep. Wasserman Schultz's 'The Early Act'

Bill Calls for National Educational Campaign to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer for Young Women Most at Risk
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and Living Beyond Breast Cancer applaud Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) for introducing legislation that highlights the breast cancer risks facing young women under the age of 40. The "Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009," introduced today, calls for $9 million a year from 2010 to 2014 to launch an education campaign aimed at young women, especially those women most susceptible to breast cancer.
"We are pleased to see Rep. Wasserman Schultz bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders to begin putting ideas on the table to discuss how we can better serve young women with breast cancer," said Marcia Stein, CEO of YSC. "For a young woman, a diagnosis of breast cancer initiates a 40- to 50-year journey of living and coping with the disease."
"The legislation underscores the vital role of health care providers in educating young women about breast cancer," said Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. "Not only do women need to be empowered to take care of their own health, they also need their health care providers to recognize the possibility of breast cancer in young women and help them follow a prescribed health care plan for the rest of their lives that is tailored to their health history and needs."
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in young women ages 15-54. More than 250,000 women age 40 and under in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lives, and more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed in the next year.
Young women diagnosed with breast cancer struggle with many unique issues, including being more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancers, pregnancy concerns, dating and relationship issues, early menopause induced by cancer treatments, slightly higher mortality rates and living decades with this serious diagnosis. Because most psychosocial and medical resources are designed for women over 50, young women diagnosed with breast cancer often feel isolated and alone.
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