Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, so women of all ages need to be educated about its risk factors and warning signs.

However, routine testing only begins at or around age forty in most cases, which is unfortunately too late for many women. In 2022, approximately 12,000 women under forty were estimated to be diagnosed with the disease—and more than 1,000 projected to succumb to it.

Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is a nonprofit working to expand awareness of the disease within this group as well as provide support for young people currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It focuses on four main areas that cater to the unique needs of young people with breast cancer: increased rates of aggressive forms of breast cancer in people under forty, a lack of research for this age group, financial hardship incurred from the treatment process, and challenges with body image.

YSC offers a wealth of resources for those living with the disease and their caregivers including educational materials, local meetups, fertility- and family-planning guides, and updates on clinical trials.

With such limited research and funding for breast cancer in women under forty, YSC’s mission is a critically important one. Early education about this disease and its impact is the key to supporting women and families who have to navigate it—and YSC helps thousands of people do just that each year.

For more info, visit youngsurvival.org