NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- You have breast cancer. Life-altering words women never think they will hear—especially at a young age. 2011 starts the beginning of a new decade for the Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer (C4YW). The new decade brings a new look and feel to the conference but does not change the importance of the information, education and support that is shared. For three days, Friday February 25- Sunday February 27, young women affected by breast cancer, their caregivers and high profile medical professionals from around the world will join together at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, FL.
Though breast cancer is less common in younger women, there are more than 250,000 women living in the U.S. who were diagnosed under the age of 40 and more than 11,000 more will be diagnosed in the next year.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 44, and their emotional and medical concerns are different than those of women over age 45, as is the impact of their diagnosis on family, friends, partners, colleagues and children. Fertility concerns, treatment options and career challenges are just a few examples of the issues young women face.
C4YW represents the only international conference dedicated to the unique concerns of young breast cancer survivors and those who care about them. This conference is a joint effort by Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) and Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and is an essential tool for allyoung women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Whether recently diagnosed, in treatment or having completed treatment; a long-term survivor, living with advanced breast cancer or a caregiver; attendees will get the latest educational information on breast cancer from some of the nation's top experts and opportunities to expand their circle of support.
Featured speakers include:
- Keynote speaker Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, recently appointed chair of the newly created CDC Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, will offer relevant medical updates as well as present an engaging workshop: Hormonal Therapies: Tamoxifen and Beyond.
- Dr. , also known as Dr. Ro, founder of Everything Ro, nutrition and health expert recently seen on Oprah and Dr. Oz, will teach attendees to take positive, manageable steps toward creating and maintaining a healthy lifestylein her workshop, Healthy Living: Food and Fitness.
- Sandra Steingraber, acclaimed ecologist, author and contributor to The Huffington Post, will present The Case for a Greener World.Attendees will explore how they can protect themselves from the many harmful chemical exposures plaguing our environment today, and hear about evidence-based research looking at chemicals linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
"Living Beyond Breast Cancer was founded on the premise that the best way to fight breast cancer is to become an informed advocate for your own health. This conference is one of many opportunities LBBC provides for women affected by breast cancer to get the most up to date information on medical advances, managing side effects, clinical trials and practical information on improving quality of life," said Jean Sachs, MSS, MSLP and CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
"This conference provides a unique and powerful opportunity for young women diagnosed with breast cancer to come together in one place, in one weekend and find support, encouragement, education and hope. We build our strength by sharing our experiences with each other. When the weekend is over, we will have united as a strong community facing breast cancer together," said Anna Cluxton, president, Board of Directors for YSC. "We hope participants of C4YW come away feeling empowered, supported and hopeful by the resources, connections and outreach we work so hard to provide. We also have a LOT of fun!"
This conference is generously supported by lead sponsor Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Other supporters include presenting sponsors Avon Foundation for Women, Eisai Oncology and Genentech BioOncology; title sponsors Amoena, Celgene Corporation, Oakley, Inc., and Spencer's.
To register, or for more information, visit www.C4YW.org or call Living Beyond Breast Cancer at (610) 645-4567 or Young Survival Coalition at (646) 257-3000. Walk-in registrations are welcome.
EDITORS NOTE: Complimentary press registration is available. Please contact Dana Griffin at (646) 247-3006 or dgriffin@youngsurvival.org, or Kevin Gianotto at (484)708-1547 or Kevin@lbbc.org.
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.
About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
Young Survival Coalition, based in New York City with nearly 30 national affiliates, is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC offer resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful. Through action, advocacy and awareness, YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young women, and to ensure that no women diagnosed under 40 faces breast cancer alone. For more information about Young Survival Coalition, visit youngsurvival.org or call (877) YSC-1011.
Complimentary press registration is available. Please contact Dana Griffin at (646) 247-3006 or dgriffin@youngsurvival.org, or Kevin Gianotto at (484) 708-1547 or Kevin@lbbc.org.
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