Abstract P5-10-04: Care guidelines for young women diagnosed with breast cancer

Background: Rethink Breast Cancer has been offering educational resources and front-line psychosocial and practical support to younger women with breast cancer for over ten years. We have heard first-hand the unique issues that these women face. Some of these challenges include diagnosis during pregnancy, effects of chemotherapy on fertility, risk of menopausal symptoms or osteoporosis, feelings of isolation, questions about sexuality, childcare, relationships, dating, employment and money.Purpose: Health Canada and the Canadian Medical Association have established comprehensive Clinical practice guidelines for the care and treatment of breast cancer and our Provincial Cancer Agencies, the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) all have developed excellent Standards of Care. However, our report, Breast Cancer in Young Women in Canada – A Needs Assessment, finds that younger women's needs continue to fall through the cracks. The report also shows that despite a growing array of peer support based interventions and community resources for young women with breast cancer, their needs are often not being met by current healthcare systems.In response to the feedback from young women experiencing breast cancer in Canada provided in our report, Rethink Breast Cancer has developed a set of recommended Care Guidelines for Young Women with Breast Cancer to ensure their special needs are addressed (in a timely matt...
Source: Cancer Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Poster Session Abstracts Source Type: research