At YSC, we are dedicated to achieving longer, fuller lives for young women facing breast cancer—particularly through our work in research advocacy. YSC’s Research Agenda, developed by YSC and our Medical Advisory Board (MAB), helps guide those crucial efforts.

The agenda outlines broad research areas and specific topics that we see as critical to advancing research on breast cancer in young women.

An Agenda Backed by Science

We created YSC’s research agenda in 2004, the culmination of three years of work. At a 2001 medical symposium, YSC assembled seven leading doctors who were experts in different areas of care, research and treatment of breast cancer in young women. Each specialist updated us on current research, the existing research gaps and how YSC could help close those gaps. YSC's MAB reviewed a white paper created from this exercise and then ranked and prioritized the areas most important to young women affected by breast cancer.

You can see our original white paper for a detailed explanation of each category and priority research area. We have also presented our methods for making this agenda at many national and international conferences and symposia through our research agenda development poster.

Our Research Agenda sets forth YSC’s priorities for helping scientists better serve young women affected by breast cancer. Read our positions to learn how you and other medical professionals can help our population better face its unique challenges. YSC strives to work with the medical-research community to identify why young women get breast cancer, why it is more aggressive and how we can encourage additional research for young women.

To ensure the medical and research communities see the young face of breast cancer, YSC regularly attends local, national and international conferences and symposia. There, we present our Research Agenda Development and Pilot Registry posters. We also send our passionate young women to national and international oncology professional meetings so we know about the most up-to-date science, can network with the research and care communities and make sure these professionals know they can reach out to YSC as a resource. If you attend ASCO, AOSW, ONS, SABCS or other professional oncology meetings look for YSC.

We support meaningful research initiatives including LIVESTRONG’s Young Adult Alliance, the Love/Avon Army of Women, the Breast Cancer M.A.P (Mind Affects the Physical) and the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. We hope YSC can influence and increase the amount of research relevant to our population. To make that happen, we motivate young women to participate in clinical trials and research whenever possible.