"Finding a mass in your breast is NOT what young women should fear since most lumps are not cancer. Having a cancerous lump in your breast that you don't know about IS what we should fear. In women under 40, breast awareness or breast self-exam and clinical breast exams are the only ways that we can find breast cancer. But women over 40 also need to be in touch with their breasts since 20% of all breast cancers are not detected on mammography."

- Dr. Beth DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.

fyi

National Non-profit Organizations
 
Young Survival Coalition
This organization was started in 1998 by a three under 40 women in New York City who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The YSC is dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. They recently hosted, along with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the 8th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. This is the only international conference focused on the unique needs of young women with breast cancer.
 
www.youngsurvival.org
 

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation

Their mission is to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their effort to determine the definitive causes of triple negative breast cancer, so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved.   It is only in the last few years that professionals studying breast cancer have concluded that breast cancer is not one disease, but many different forms of cancer all originating in the breast. Depending on its stage of diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be extremely aggressive and more likely to recur and metastasize than other subtypes of breast cancer.

www.tnbcfoundation.org

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Formerly The Susan G. Komen Foundation, this organization is an awesome resource for breast cancer information.  They have national affiliates in most major cities so, while they are a national organization, you can access useful information as well in a city near you.
 
In addition, some of the most popular breast cancer events are spearheaded by Komen National and their affiliates. The Komen Race for the Cure and the Breast Cancer 3-Day take place in various cities throughout the year -- help support the cause by participating in one near you.
 
www.komen.org
 
 
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society works to eradicate all cancer, but is also a great national and local resource for information and programs available specific to breast cancer. In addition, they host the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk so check them out in a city near you.
 
www.cancer.org
 
 
breastcancer.org
breastcancer.org is a global nonprofit organization providing expert medical information about breast health and breast cancer. breastcancer.org's mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, guiding them to the best decisions for their lives. They have recently been recognized as the number 1 online resource for breast cancer information, with over 2500 pages of medical content.
 
www.breastcancer.org
 
 
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Based in Ardmore, PA, the LBBC's mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. They recently hosted, along with the Young Survival Coalition, the 7th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. This is the only international conference focused on the unique needs of young women with breast cancer. More information about the conference can be found at www.youngsurvivorsconference.org
 
www.lbbc.org
 

Busted Foundation
Busted Foundation is a fundraising organization that financially supports women who are dealing with breast cancer. Bowling for Boobies is the trademarked event created by Busted Foundation for fundraising purposes. To apply for financial assistance through Busted Foundation visit their website.

www.bustedfoundation.org 

Pennsylvania-based Non-profit Organizations
 
Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition
This organization is based in Ephrata, PA and is focused on education, outreach and advocacy for women in PA. Their advocacy recently led to legislation providing free mammograms to underinsured or uninsured women ages 40-49. This is just one of many programs spearheaded by the PBCC.
 
www.pabreastcancer.org 
 

Cool Breast Cancer Companies
 
LympheDIVAs
Kristin Dudley, Robin Miller, and Rachel Troxell formed LympheDIVAs to create medically correct compression apparel for women with post-breast cancer lymphedema. Robin and Rachel are young breast cancer survivors and have lymphedema. The three want to inspire women cancer survivors to feel beautiful, strong, and confident. Their designs bring a much needed fashion-friendly facelift to the traditional un-hip compression sleeves!! Check them out.
 
www.lymphedivas.com