By Kim Jewett, breast cancer survivor and Director of Collaboration and Outreach for MyLifeLine.org

“When a young woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she can feel isolated and alone. Her psychosocial and medical issues are fundamentally different than those of older, post-menopausal women, as is the impact of her diagnosis on her family and friends. With the bulk of medical and psychological resources designed for women over 50, a younger woman may not know where to turn. More aggressive cancers, fertility, relationship issues, treatment-induced early menopause, living decades with this serious diagnosis — these are just a few ways a younger woman’s breast cancer experience can be unique. To address these issues, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Young Survival Coalition have created C4YW – an annual conference for young women affected by breast cancer and those who support them.”

Reflections from Kim on the C4YW Experience:

As a young breast cancer survivor myself, this was the first time I had the opportunity to attend the conference.  I was excited to attend, not only as a survivor, but as an exhibitor as well.  In between the workshops, networking and presentations I was able to meet many women who were survivors, but some unfortunate, that were metastatic.  I can remember at one point turning to my colleague, with tears in my eyes wondering how I could listen to one more heart wrenching story.  But, as I started to reflect and realize, this was the only place that these women can come to for support while fighting for their life every day.

My most inspiring moment was, meeting Julie Clark.   She was the founder of Baby Einstein and author of “You are the Best Medicine.”  As we enjoyed dinner getting to know one another,  it was not real to me that she too, was a woman who was metastatic.  At that moment, I realized what an amazing inspiration she truly was, and that she was a perfect example of not letting cancer define who she was. Based on her talent with Baby Einstein, we surely can see the passion she has on giving back and helping other young women connect with their children when diagnosed with cancer.

 As the days passed, there were so many great workshops to attend. Some, of which were dealing with recurrence or fear of, side effects of tamoxifen, how to build back your bone health after chemotherapy, and sadly how to deal or cope with dying.

I also had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Ann Partridge, a leading researcher on breast cancer in younger women, and founder and director of the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr Partridge provided us with a comprehensive update on the latest breast cancer research, commenting that the biggest strides have been made in the area of targeted treatment. Breast cancer is no longer treated as a single disease and the opportunity to individualize and target treatment is the direction research is moving toward.

 There were plenty of exhibitors as well.  They represented the many support groups, apparel and organizations dedicated to young women with breast cancer.  It was great to meet others that were just as passionate and dedicated to the work they do every day.

 I am so honored to have experienced this conference. While reality was very difficult for me to bear, I felt completely rewarded by the work I do everyday  with My LifeLine.org.  It allows me to have a passion for something I love to do, while having the opportunity to give back to others.  I am really looking forward to C4YW, 2012! 

–Thank you Kim for recapping what the C4YW conference meant to you!