One of the many challenges young women face when they are diagnosed is finding treatment data that is relevant to their age group to help them make educated treatment decisions. Most research is focused on post-menopausal women, and premenopausal women - particularly those in their 20s and 30s - are dramatically under-represented. This gap in research data makes it even more challenging for young women to navigate through their breast cancer experience, which is already wrought with unique challenges.
A key strategy to achieve the YSC's mission is increasing the quality and quantity of research done on young women affected by breast cancer by defining the unanswered questions and critical issues surrounding young women affected by the disease, such as: better screening methodologies, long-term effects of treatment, hormonal treatments, fertility issues and the pathological differences in a younger woman's disease.
YSC is working to define the greatest research needs within the population, and advocating those needs to doctors and researchers to help us unlock the keys as to why young women get breast cancer, in hopes of answering the question of why women of all ages are diagnosed with the disease.
In this section, you will find:
YSC lists ongoing studies that are specific to and include young women. If you are a researcher and would like to submit a study, click here.
What can you do to help bridge the research gap for young women?
We often hear that the main reason there aren't more studies on young women is because there aren't enough women to study. You can do your part simply by filling out the registration form on our website! By doing so, you increase the size of our constituent database, and we can show the research community there is indeed strength in our numbers!
It is our hope that the YSC can influence and increase the amount of research for young women. In order to do that, we must motivate young women to participate in clinical trials and research whenever possible. With your involvement and the help of influential members of the medical community, together we can build a partnership to finally bridge the gaps in research that currently exist.
