NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Though breast cancer is less common in younger women, more than 250,000 women living in the U.S. today were diagnosed before their 41st birthday, and 13,000 more will be diagnosed this year. Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is bringing them together for the YSC Summit, March 6-8, 2015, in Houston, Texas.
As the only national conference for young women and their co-survivors, the YSC Summit is an opportunity for education and inspiration among people who can relate to each other. The emotional and medical concerns of young breast cancer survivors are different than those of women over age 40, and YSC is the premier organization dedicated to young women with breast cancer.
Registration opens today at youngsurvival.org.
The YSC Summit will be March 6-8, 2015 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. The registration fee is $145 per person until January 4, 2015, and then $160 until March 5. Fee waivers and travel grants are available to those who qualify, and fundraising options are available to offset expenses.
The event's speakers include Dr. Susan Love, Dr. Don Dizon and Hollye Jacobs, as well as wellness activities and workshops addressing the unique issues that young women with breast cancer face. Participants will:
• Learn about the latest medical information, survivorship and quality-of-life issues
• Discuss how to cope with the side effects and long-term implications of treatment
• Network with other young survivors and co-survivors
"YSC created this conference to empower and educate young women affected by breast cancer and their co-survivors," remarked Jennifer Merschdorf, Chief Executive Officer of Young Survival Coalition. "As a young breast cancer survivor diagnosed at age 36, my first desire was to meet other young women who would understand what I was going through. The YSC Summit provides that opportunity for connecting and learning in a fun environment."
Whether a young woman is newly diagnosed, living with metastatic disease or several years out from diagnosis, the Summit includes workshops to help them live with their new normal. Sessions will be led by healthcare professionals on topics such as nutrition, sex and intimacy, dating, fertility and family planning, parenting, and ways to implement healthy lifestyle changes.
This year's general sessions include The State of Young Women and Breast Cancer, You Now - Living Life After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Pack Up Your Strength and Bring It Home. Social and wellness activities include a cocktail reception, BBQ, yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and Boot Camp.
Co-survivors (spouses, partners, siblings, parents and friends) will learn effective communication skills, while connecting with other co-survivors. Healthcare providers can increase their knowledge, better understand their patients' needs and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
For complete registration details, schedule of workshops and speakers, please visit youngsurvival.org/conferences or call 877.972.1011.
This conference is generously supported by presenting sponsors Avon Foundation for Women, Eisai, Genentech and Susan G. Komen.
About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier organization dedicated to young women with breast cancer. Founded by three young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their length and quality of life. Based in New York City, with networks nationwide, YSC provides free resources, connections and educational materials so young women with breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young women, and to ensure that no young woman faces breast cancer alone. For more information, visit youngsurvival.org. Follow conference updates at #YSC2015.