good news for ladies under 40

[freyja]

Bill Calls For National Educational Campaign To Raise Awareness Of Breast Cancer For Young Women Most At Risk

PR Newswire
March 23, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The Young Survival Coalition 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 the Young Survival Coalition. "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.
About The Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
The Young Survival Coalition, based in New York and with 17 national affiliates, is the only international network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the critical concerns and issues unique to young women affected by breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities to address breast cancer in women 40 and under, and to serve as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. For more information about the Young Survival Coalition, visit youngsurvival.org or call (877) YSC-1011.
About Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer, based outside Philadelphia, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Programs and services include: conferences; teleconferences; the toll-free Survivors' Helpline (888-753-5222); a website, lbbc.org; free quarterly newsletters; publications for African-American and Latina women; recordings; networking programs for young survivors and women of color; healthcare-provider trainings; and the Paula A. Seidman Library and Resource Center. For more information about Living Beyond Breast Cancer, visit lbbc.org or call (610) 645-4567.
Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

[RobinP]

Yep, heard of this and thanks for posting. Remember to email your Senator to support this bill.
http://komenpolicy.org/campaign/early_act_...k=7dzolCManrwQE