Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation - BCYWF

02/27/2025

- Post 86

Empowering Young Women on Campuses to Promote Breast Health Awareness for a Breast Cancer-free Future

02/25/2025

- Post 85
BCYW Foundation Expands Breast Cancer Awareness in the Rio Grande Valley, Empowering Healthcare Trainees, Professionals, and Staff at Valley Baptist Medical Center—Harlingen.

Breast cancer, once primarily affecting older women, is now increasingly diagnosed in individuals under 40. Nearly half (47.5%) of global breast cancer cases in young women occur in those aged 20–34, which is below the recommended age for mammography screening. The World Health Organization forecasts a continued rise, with the average age of diagnosis expected to reach 33.72 by 2040, indicating that today’s 18-year-olds are already at risk.

This highlights the critical importance of early, targeted interventions and prevention strategies to reduce breast cancer risk and ensure timely diagnosis among young women to reduce breast cancer risk and improve outcomes. To empower young women, the BCYW Foundation launched the Youth Council for Breast Health (YCBH, https://ycbh.org/), a global initiative for proactive breast health and breast cancer awareness across educational and professional campuses.

As part of the 2025 campaign, the BCYW Foundation raises targeted awareness about breast health and breast cancer among trainees, faculty, and healthcare and educational institution staff. One notable series occurred in February in the Rio Grande Valley in Southern Texas.

The series concluded with an invited lecture at Valley Baptist Medical Center, where medical, nursing, and healthcare professionals participated in discussions about breast health awareness, education, and the healthcare system’s role in addressing these growing challenges when young women are diagnosed with breast cancer. The talk emphasized the growing breast cancer burden among young women and discussed strategies for improved awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis.

The lecture reinforced its core messages: breast health awareness should be a year-round commitment; young women can and do develop breast cancer; early detection begins with timely awareness; and empowering young women with knowledge can create a lasting impact on women’s health.

Visit: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/

02/25/2025

- Post 84
BCYW Foundation Expands Breast Cancer Awareness in the Rio Grande Valley, Empowering Healthcare Trainees, Professionals, and Staff at the UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Breast cancer, once primarily affecting older women, is now increasingly diagnosed in individuals under 40. Nearly half (47.5%) of global breast cancer cases in young women occur in those aged 20–34, which is below the recommended age for mammography screening. The World Health Organization forecasts a continued rise, with the average age of diagnosis expected to reach 33.72 by 2040, indicating that today’s 18-year-olds are already at risk.

This highlights the critical importance of early, targeted interventions and prevention strategies to reduce breast cancer risk and ensure timely diagnosis among young women to reduce breast cancer risk and improve outcomes. To empower young women, the BCYW Foundation launched the Youth Council for Breast Health (YCBH, https://ycbh.org/), a global initiative for proactive breast health and breast cancer awareness across educational and professional campuses.

As part of the 2025 campaign, the BCYW Foundation raises targeted awareness about breast health and breast cancer among trainees, faculty, and healthcare and educational institution staff. One notable series occurred in February in the Rio Grande Valley in Southern Texas.

The series continued with an invited lecture at the UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities and Research Symposium 2025. The talk was focused on Understanding and Addressing the Rising Breast Cancer in Young Women, emphasized the growing breast cancer burden among young women, and discussed strategies for improved awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis.

The lecture reinforced its core messages: breast health awareness should be a year-round commitment; young women can and do develop breast cancer; early detection begins with timely awareness and self-care; and empowering young women with knowledge can create a lasting impact on women’s health and survival rates.

Visit: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/

02/25/2025

- Post 83
BCYW Foundation Expands Breast Cancer Awareness in the Rio Grande Valley, Empowering Healthcare Trainees, Professionals, and Staff at DHR Health

Breast cancer, once predominantly affecting older women, is increasingly impacting those under 40. This rise is driven by limited awareness of breast health, lack of self-care, modifiable lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions. Early intervention and focused efforts are crucial for reducing risks and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

As part of the 2025 campaign, the BCYW Foundation raises targeted awareness about breast health and breast cancer among trainees, faculty, and healthcare and educational institution staff. One notable series occurred in February in the Rio Grande Valley in Southern Texas.

Although breast cancer rates in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are lower than those in Southern Texas, unique challenges make awareness essential to prevent future increases. The predominantly Hispanic/Latina population faces more aggressive cancers, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to healthcare. With a growing young population and rural care, early education is crucial. By empowering young women and leveraging the region’s strong family culture, the BCYW Foundation aims to promote BCYW awareness, early detection, and prevention to keep rates from rising.

A morning session with medical and surgical trainees at DHR Health, a physician-owned hospital network in Texas. Although the lecture began with translational medical research, it shifted to focus on Breast Cancer in Young Women, addressing existing gaps and emphasizing the BCYW Foundation’s mission. A second DHR lecture, intended for the DHR’s monthly meeting with its partners, covered the Rise of Breast Cancer in Young Women.

The discussions throughout the day reinforced its core messages: breast health awareness should be a year-round commitment; young women can and do develop breast cancer; early detection begins with timely awareness and self-care; and empowering young women with knowledge can create a lasting impact on women’s health and survival rates.

Visit: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org

02/22/2025

– Post 82
🩷 Timing Matters in Breast Cancer Treatment in Premenopausal Women: How the Menstrual Cycle Impacts Chemotherapy Response

New research suggests that the menstrual cycle stage may play a key role in determining how well neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) works for premenopausal breast cancer patients.

*The study utilized established mouse models and retrospective patient data (see photo). The study analyzed 30 cases of Estrogen Receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative breast cancer in patients aged 34–51, and 25 cases of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in patients aged 27–49. Cases involving hormonal contraception, pregnancy, or prior oophorectomy were excluded. Serum samples were collected 0–5 days before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Progesterone concentrations were used as a marker of the menstrual cycle - as it varied during the cycle: low in the follicular phase, rising in the mid-cycle phase, and peaking in the luteal phase.

The team observed that NAC was less effective when initiated during the dioestrus stage, a phase previously associated with more chemoresistant cells. Reduced tumor blood vessel diameter and the increased presence of macrophages may also contribute to therapeutic efficacy resistance.

However, when chemotherapy was started during the estrus phase, responses were significantly better. This is likely due to more rapidly proliferating tumor cells, rendering them more susceptible to treatment. In general, this is not a new concept, as a substantial body of earlier studies has established the significance of dividing cells and the proliferative phase in the effectiveness of other cancer therapies, including RTK-directed strategies.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Treatment
These findings highlight a critical but often overlooked factor—hormonal cycles and their impact on cancer treatment. Future clinical trials are needed to explore whether adjusting chemotherapy timing could improve survival and outcomes in young breast cancer patients.







To Contribute: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/donate-save-young-lives-from-cancer/

02/20/2025

- Post 81
Machine Learning Advancing Breast Cancer Treatment & Addressing the Risk of Second Primary Malignancies

One of the biggest challenges young women with breast cancer (BCYW) face is the fear of recurrence—even after successful treatment. In some cases, this concern extends beyond relapse to the development of second primary tumors in the breast or other organs, significantly affecting long-term survival ( Posts 23, 24, & 33).

Postoperative radiotherapy, often a critical component of breast cancer treatment, plays a dual role. While it offers anti-tumor benefits, it is also associated with an increased risk of secondary primary cancers. This raises a critical question-Can we predict which patients are at higher risk for second primary malignancies?

A recent study leveraged machine learning to address this question, analyzing data from 44,223 BCYW patients:
- 22,620 received post-surgery radiotherapy
- 21,603 did not undergo radiotherapy
- Age breakdown: 11% were between 18-30 years, while 89% were 31-40 years

Key Observations
- Use of radiotherapy post-surgery was associated with 1,787 second primary cancer in comparison to 1,230 second primary cancer in the control arm of cases with no post-surgery radiotherapy.
- Patients with fewer lymph nodes examined had a higher risk of developing secondary malignancies.
- The study’s machine learning model achieved an AUC (the Area Under the Curve of ROC) of 0.75, performing better than random prediction (AUC 0.5) but below the ideal score of 1.0.

Why This Matters
These findings underscore new insights about using the standard adjuvant radiotherapy, especially in a sub-group of patients with low-risk, favorable histology. Long-term surveillance and further studies are critical for improving survivorship outcomes.

Takeaway
Personalized treatment decisions and awareness are key to enhancing long-term health for young breast cancer patients.

*For complete study features/results, read: Lai Y, etal. Machine learning identifies the association between second primary malignancies and postoperative radiotherapy in young-onset cancer patients. PLos One 20(2):e0316722,2025

02/18/2025

- Post 80
How Cancer Cells Outsmart the Immune System Using Damaged Mitochondria—The Cell’s Powerhouse

It is not uncommon for various types of cancer to begin responding poorly to treatments over time, including immunotherapy—a type of cancer treatment that enables the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This, in turn, necessitates higher treatment doses or switching to an alternative therapy.

Our immune system is designed to fight cancer, but tumors have developed many clever ways to evade it and continue growing. A new study uncovers sneaky tactic cancer cells use to weaken the immune system—by transferring their damaged mitochondria to immune cells, draining their energy and reducing their ability to fight cancer.

How Does This Happen?
Tumors exist in a tumor microenvironment interacting with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)—immune cells that naturally attack cancer. Typically, TILs work to destroy tumors, but researchers found that cancer cells send their defective mitochondria into these immune cells, making them weaker and less effective.

How Do Cancer Cells Transfer Mitochondria?

Scientists tracked the movement of mitochondria and found two key transfer methods:
✔️ Tunneling nanotubes – tiny bridges that connect cancer and immune cells
✔️ Extracellular vesicles – small packets carrying mitochondria between cells.

Why Is This a Problem?
Once inside immune cells, these cancer-derived mitochondria replace healthy ones, causing:
• Energy loss, making immune cells too weak to fight cancer
• Cellular damage, leading to a less effective immune response
• Faster aging of immune cells, reducing their lifespan and function

Why Is This Important?
The team hopes that blocking mitochondrial transfer by new drugs that prevent mitochondrial transfer might help keep immune cells strong, improving the effectiveness of cancer treatments by giving the immune system a better chance to fight cancer. These are the areas of more research.

*For complete study features and results, read: Ikeda, H. et al. Immune evasion through mitochondrial transfer in the tumour microenvironment. Nature 638, 225–236, 2025.

02/16/2025

- Post 79
Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation Unveils Must-Watch Awareness and Empowerment Short Videos

Insights into emotional health, second opinions, treatment, post-treatment care, prevention, and personalized healthcare approaches by brave young women survivors, medical experts, and advocates.

For more content, read: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/784919125/

1) Insights into Emotional Health, Second Opinions, Treatment, Post-Treatment, and Personalized Healthcare Approaches from Brave Young Women Survivors -

Voices of Resilience Part 1 https://youtu.be/JhBo1VI2qj4?feature=shared

Voices of Resilience Part 2 https://youtu.be/ealHqC6sqsE?feature=shared

Voices of Resilience Part 3 https://youtu.be/_vtiKJKvTyc?feature=shared

2) Empowering Choices to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Through Lifestyle Changes -
https://youtu.be/5m3krEs5QQk?feature=shared

3) Know Your Risk For Breast Cancer in Young Women From Two Extraordinary BCYW Advocates -
https://youtu.be/BR4qMG21rcU?feature=shared

4) The Role of Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Prevention in Young Women -
https://youtu.be/_d7A_IwLCE8?feature=shared


5) Ultra-processed Food & Breast Cancer: The Potential Role of AGEs in the Development of Breast Cancer -
https://youtu.be/9zspnByCTgI?feature=shared

6) Young Women Get Breast Cancer Too -
https://youtu.be/tuMkkv5n2Bo?feature=shared








To Contribute and Learn More: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/

02/08/2025

- Post 78

Could Immunotherapy Change the Game for Young Women with ER+/HER2− Breast Cancer?

A new phase 3 randomized clinical trial suggests that adding nivolumab (a type of immunotherapy) to chemotherapy significantly improves response rates in high-risk, early-stage ER+/HER2 breast cancer, the most common breast cancer subtype, making up 70% of all cases worldwide.

*About the Study: The study reported the data on 510 individuals with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. Of these, 257 patients were in the nivolumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm, while 253 were in the placebo plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, blocks PD-L1 on cancer cells, helping the immune system fight the cancer.

Key Findings
• Combining chemo and nivolumab led to a higher complete response rate (24.5%) than chemo alone (13.8%).
• Tumours with high immune activity (PD-L1+) responded even better, with a 44.3% complete response rate vs. 20.2% with chemo alone.
• No unexpected safety issues were found, though two treatment-related deaths occurred.
• Adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy may improve outcomes for some patients.

Why does this matter for young women?
Across the three subsets of the study's two aims, the median age ranged from 49 to 51 years (23–79). ER+/HER2− breast cancer is diverse and complex, meaning some patients respond well to treatment while others don’t. Traditionally, chemotherapy alone has had low success rates in achieving a complete response in this subtype. This could reshape treatment strategies for young women diagnosed with early breast cancer.

This study highlights a new, more personalized approach that could lead to better long-term outcomes for many young patients.

💖 Stay informed and proactive. Your breast health matters!





To Contribute and Learn More: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/

*For complete study features and results, read: Loi, S.,et al. Neoadjuvant nivolumab and chemotherapy in early estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03414-8

02/07/2025

Post 77
Additional New Data Supporting AI in Breast Cancer Screening: A Step Forward for Early Detection?

A new study from Sweden suggests AI can increase early breast cancer detection while reducing the workload of radiologists —without increasing false positives.

*About the Study: This study aims to explore how AI (Transpara version v1.7.0 ScreenPoint) enhances the accuracy of mammography screening detection within the Swedish National Screening Programme. In standard mammogram screening, 52,872 participants were examined, with 19.5% under 45, detecting 262 cancers and leading to 1,027 recalls. In contrast, AI-supported mammogram screening analyzed 53,043 participants, with 19.4% under 45, detecting 338 cancers—including more invasive and in situ breast cancers—while resulting in 1,110 recalls.

Study highlights -
• AI-supported screening found more invasive & aggressive cancers earlier.
• Detected 29% more cancers than standard methods.
• Reduced the burden on radiologists, helping address workforce shortages.

Why does this matter for young women? > Nearly 20% of participants were under 45.

Early detection is critical, especially for young women who may develop more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

AI could play a life-saving role in improving screening accuracy and access and lead to earlier, life-saving diagnoses.

💖 Stay informed, stay proactive—your health matters.



While more research is needed, this could transform breast cancer screening and lead to earlier, life-saving diagnoses.

To Contribute and Learn More: https://breastcancerinyoungwomen.org/

*For complete study features and results, read: Hernström V. et al., Screening performance and characteristics of breast cancer detected in the Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence trial (MASAI): a randomised, controlled, parallel-group, non-inferiority, single-blinded, screening accuracy study. The Lancet Digital Health, Online first February 03, 2025.

01/28/2025

- Post 76
🌍 Youth Council for Breast Health (YCBH)—Uniting and Empowering Young Women Worldwide to Take Charge of Breast Health on Campuses 💗

The BCYW Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of the YCBH Program—a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about breast health, breast cancer symptoms, and risk factors among young women on university and college campuses. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/779517990/

Why It Matters
Breast cancer is no longer a concern just for older women. Alarming trends show rising cases in women under 40, often diagnosed later and facing unique challenges. According to the WHO, nearly half of breast cancer cases in women under 39 occur in those aged 20–34. Projections estimate the average age of diagnosis will be just 33.72 years by 2040. This suggests that individuals who may receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2040 are currently only 17 to 18 years old.

These observations highlight the urgent need for a global initiative to empower young women with crucial information about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, self-care, and preventive measures at campuses.

That’s why YCBH aims to empower young women with knowledge about early symptoms, risk factors, and prevention. Awareness today could save lives tomorrow.

🌟 A Global Focus and Local Action
Through the YCBH Chapter Program, the BCYW Foundation is building a network of student-led chapters on campuses worldwide. These chapters provide resources, foster awareness, and advocate for prevention strategies year-round—not just during Pink October. Supported by faculty mentors, healthcare professionals, and young survivors, these chapters connect young women globally to share knowledge and inspire action. Together, we’re shaping a future where every young woman is equipped to protect her health and advocate for early detection.

📌 Join the Cause
Be part of a global mission to reduce breast cancer risks, promote early detection, and empower young women everywhere. Together, we’re transforming lives and shaping a healthier tomorrow. Learn more about YCBH and how to start a chapter at your campus! https://ycbh.org

12/31/2024

-Post 75
The Role of Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Prevention in Young Women
Highlights from Tamara Milagre, a patient advocate who founded an organization supporting individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes, at the recent International Conference on Young Women’s Breast Cancer and Health held in Lisbon on October 29 and 30, 2024
https://lnkd.in/gHEeywfi

Advances in genetic testing and personalized screening are reshaping how the medical community approaches prevention and care. These innovations provide critical insights into genetic predispositions and family histories, enabling tailored risk management strategies. “When you know you have a high risk hanging over you, you want to take action,” said Tamara Milagre, a patient advocate who founded an organization to support individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes. “But you need guidance to determine the best path forward.”

Genetic testing has become a cornerstone in identifying hereditary cancer risks. It can reveal genetic variants that significantly increase the likelihood of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. However, the technology does have limitations. “Genetic tests do not capture every potential factor contributing to cancer,” Ms. Milagre cautioned, emphasizing the necessity of complementary strategies.

Barriers continue to exist in implementing widespread genetic testing. Many individuals at risk remain undiagnosed due to insufficient genetic literacy among healthcare providers. "Genetic literacy among healthcare professionals is critical for ensuring timely diagnosis and prevention," Ms. Milagre stressed, highlighting a systemic lack of understanding that delays intervention. For instance, one young woman diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer during her pregnancy faced dismissive attitudes from her doctor when she mentioned a lump. "The ignorance she encountered was devastating, and her experience motivated me to take action," Ms. Milagre recounted.

“We’re focused on remedies rather than on preventing cancer before it starts,” said Ms. Milagre, underscoring the lack of emphasis on prevention. Educating healthcare professionals and the public about genetic testing is crucial for early detection and timely intervention.