Media Release
Date: January 11, 2010

National conference benefits young women with breast cancer

Cancer Council Queensland has announced it will host The 2nd National Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer in September this year on the Gold Coast.

250 delegates are expected to attend, including young women affected by breast cancer, their family, friends and carers, as well as health professionals and support group leaders.

Conference organiser for Cancer Council Queensland, Megan Dwyer, said the conference will help young women affected by breast cancer to form new support networks and reduce the sense of isolation often experienced.

"A diagnosis of breast cancer can be particularly distressing for young women, who face the confronting reality of cancer at a time in their life when they least expected it," she said.

"The conference is an important way of creating much greater support so that women affected by breast cancer feel empowered to cope at every stage, from diagnosis to life after breast cancer."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women, and while it is relatively rare in younger women, over 700 women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

"This conference will be an opportunity for young women to learn, network, share, raise awareness and further advance the needs and issues of young women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia," Ms Dwyer said.

"The Conference program will be educational and inspiring, focusing on every phase of a young woman's breast cancer journey, from diagnosis, treatment and living with advanced breast cancer, to post-treatment, and years beyond."

Conference speakers will include leading breast cancer specialists, researchers and health professionals.

"Our aim is to ensure young women affected by breast cancer have access to all the latest information on breast cancer research and clinical care, so that they can empower themselves to make informed choices about their treatment and well-being," Ms Dwyer said.

"Delegates will also have the opportunity to gather resources to help navigate their breast cancer journey and network with peers who can relate to their experience."

The conference will be held at the Radisson Gold Coast Resort from September 10-12, 2010. For more information and to register for email updates on the Conference program, travel grants, registration and other special activities, please visit the website www.ywcaustralia.org.au.

Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity. The achievements of Cancer Council Queensland are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.