By asking your doctors questions like the ones listed below you are empowering yourself by educating yourself, and you assume your role as a health care advocate for yourself as well as for others.

•  Are there any studies or clinical trials in which I can participate?
• Are there studies which prove that the protocol you are suggesting is effective in women my age with similar pathology? 
• What are my chances of 40 or 60 year survival?

By asking physicians these questions and any others that might be on your mind, you remind them that they are treating a whole person, not just a disease. You have the ability to teach them that young women affected by breast cancer experience issues that are different from their post-menopausal counterparts including dating, fertility, workplace issues, quality of life and survivorship past the 5 year benchmark. By making them aware of these issues, you enhance their ability to treat all their young breast cancer patients as more than just patients.

Evidence-Based Information

Being well informed is the best way to advocate effectively. Use evidence-based research studies to inform your decisions and you can be sure that your advocacy efforts will improve the quantity and quality of young women's lives. Doing the research is not always easy, but it is necessary!

We recommend the following links to help you find the answers that you need:

The Cochrane Library

The Cochrane Library is a unique source of reliable and up-to-date information on the effects of interventions in health care. Published on a quarterly basis, The Cochrane Library is designed to provide information and evidence to support decisions taken in health care and to inform those receiving care.

The National Cancer Institute

The YSC's comprehensive list of research on young women and breast cancer