By Dr. Barbara Craft

I have had the privilege for a number of years now to work with a highly-specialized team of cancer specialists at UMMC.   Each day, our mission is the same: to eradicate breast cancer and to care for the person battling the disease.  While overall, almost 90% of breast cancers affect women over 45, patients treated at our Cancer Institute are typically younger (early 40s) and have breast cancers that can be more difficult to treat. I am always amazed by these Young Breast Cancer Survivors and their ability to persevere under difficult circumstances.

It’s crucial that breast cancer patients are intent not just in taking care of themselves, but in maintaining a fighting attitude.  You will have fears and you will encounter problems that are more specific to young women fighting breast cancer, such as talking with your children or trying to continue working.  It’s important to stay on top of and be very involved in your healthcare, but it is just as important to take care of your relationships, finances, and mental health.

That’s why we are launching SurviveMISS.  We intend to make it easier for you to access resources that will be specific to your breast cancer experience as a young woman.  We want to be here for you and address issues specific to young breast cancer survivors.  
I look forward to hearing what you think about our new effort, as this needs to be for you.  Let’s do everything we can to beat this and not let it beat you!