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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) has awarded a $1.75 million, 5 year grant to the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to increase the awareness of breast cancer among women and enhance the support services for those diagnosed and treated. The Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber was one of only seven organizations to be awarded this competitive grant.
The funding will help women who are at elevated risk of breast cancer learn about the importance of knowing their personal risk factors, screening options, genetic testing and counseling, as well as encouraging beneficial lifestyle changes. The second goal is to strengthen existing programs that help women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or those who are being treated or who have been treated.
“This funding helps expand our support services to help more young women with breast cancer and develop a national network for providers and patients,” said Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, founder and director, Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer and director, Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber.
Young and Strong: A Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer was established at Dana-Farber in 2005 and helps patients and providers address concerns about fertility and reproductive options, genetics, psychosocial matters, and other treatment and survivorship issues facing young women. This grant will expand the program to include women in our satellite and community network locations around Massachusetts and in New Hampshire and Connecticut. The Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber is a program of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber.
Acting Director of DCPC, Dr. Pamela Protzel Berman said of the new effort, “We are excited about partnering with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and this new group of grantees to provide much needed support to young women living with breast cancer. Their efforts will address a broad range of education, resources, and communication needs which have been identified as common challenges for young breast cancer survivors and their families. We look forward to working with our new grantees to serve these women.”
Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women. About 11 percent of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. While breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are difficult for women of any age, young survivors may find it overwhelming.
CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is working to increase awareness of breast cancer and improve the health and quality of life of young breast cancer survivors and young women who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.
To learn more go to:
www.dana-farber.org/youngwomenbreastcancer/
www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/young_women/knowbrca.htm
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