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Susan G. Komen®, the Young Survival Coalition® and Living Beyond Breast Cancer® Applaud Bill to Reauthorize the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY)WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)-- Susan G. Komen, the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) today applauded a new bill to reauthorize the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or EARLY Act. Introduced for reauthorization in the House and Senate by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Renee Ellmers (R-NC) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and David Vitter (R-LA), the bill, if passed, would ensure that the Act will continue to serve the educational needs of young women facing breast cancer and empower them to take control over their own health. "The EARLY Act allows young women to benefit from evidenced-based, age-appropriate breast health education, when they are young and still developing good, lifelong health habits," said Judith A. Salerno, M.D., M.S. "We are grateful for Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Renee Ellmers and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and David Vitter's leadership in introducing this critical piece of legislation." The EARLY Act was signed into law in 2010 and created an education and outreach campaign in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) to bring attention to the breast cancer risks that young women may face. Through the Act, health care providers have been given education and information about breast cancer in young women to ensure young women are aware of and properly informed about their potential risk. "YSC is elated to support the reauthorization of the EARLY Act and its continued commitment to young women diagnosed with breast cancer," said YSC CEO Jennifer Merschdorf. "The efforts of the sponsors in the House and Senate, partnered with the implementation goals of the CDC, send a resounding message that the unique issues faced by young women diagnosed, their education and support remain important focal points in the nation's conversation on breast cancer." "There are many misconceptions about young women and breast cancer," said Jean Sachs, CEO of LBBC. "Providing accurate information to young women and connecting them to trusted resources is critically important. It is also vital to educate the public about the impact breast cancer has on young women. LBBC applauds the bill's sponsors in the House and Senate, and the CDC for its effective implementation of the law." In the four years since its passage, the EARLY Act has allowed the CDC to identify gaps in education among young women and health providers, provide grants to local breast cancer organizations that work in assisting young women, and create campaigns to raise awareness that breast cancer is a disease that knows no age limits. Eleven percent of breat cancers occur in women under age 45 and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death (death from any type of cancer) among women ages 20 to 59. In addition to funding research into breast cancer in young women, Salerno noted that Komen works in partnership with organizations such as YSC and LBBC on programs to reach this population that may be at risk. Learn about unique issues for younger women facing breast cancer at this link: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/YoungWomenandBreastCancer.html. Access resources, education and a community supporting young women diagnosed with breast cancer: http://www.youngsurvival.org/sync. To access resources for young women: http://www.lbbc.org/Audiences/Young-Women. About Susan G. Komen® Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $804 million in research and provided $1.7 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter. About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)® Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. YSC offers free resources, connections and educational materials so young women with breast cancer 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 ensure that no young woman faces breast cancer alone. For more information, visit youngsurvival.org, call 877.972.1011 or connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. About Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)® Founded in 1991 LBBC's mission is to connect people impacted by breast cancer with trusted information and a community of support. LBBC is nationally recognized for providing high quality tailored education and support programs for women of all ages. Programs include conferences, webinars, topic specific publications and a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline. LBBC's vision is a world where no one impacted by breast cancer feels uninformed or alone. For more information, visit lbbc.org.
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