The Komen Foundation together with the Val Skinner Foundation and CINJ conceptualized the idea of a young women’s breast cancer initiative. The Komen Foundation utilizes the funds donated from the LIFE Event to support the outreach activities which focus on women in their twenties and thirties which are associated with this national initiative. CINJ utilizes the funds donated by the LIFE Event to support its newly developed high-risk breast cancer program, the “LIFE Center,” and the clinical research trials there that focus on young women.

Breast Cancer Facts Specific to Young Women

When women in their twenties and thirties are diagnosed with breast cancer, they are more likely to have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. These genes are important in the development of breast cancer and women who carry defects on these genes are at greater risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. If a woman has both a family history and this gene defect, she may have a 50% to 85% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.

If you are concerned about your genetic risk, ask your doctor to refer you to a genetic counselor or a breast cancer specialist who will discuss in detail what your own risk may be and will talk with you about prevention options.