Young Survival Coalition Releases Post-Treatment Navigator

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Dec 10, 2012, 10:41 ET

The Latest Installment in YSC's Free Navigator Series Identifies Six Areas in Which Young Breast Cancer Survivors Can Improve Their Quality of Life After Treatment Ends

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 2010 survey conducted by Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer, found that 86 percent of its post-treatment population did not have a survivorship care plan. To bridge this gap and help young breast cancer survivors navigate life after treatment, YSC today released What's Next? A Young Woman's Post-Treatment Navigator.

YSC's Post-Treatment Navigator recommends six areas in which young breast cancer survivors can improve their quality of life after treatment ends:

Obtain a complete written summary of their diagnosis and treatment
Develop a post-treatment plan with healthcare providers
Understand and manage potential long-term side effects
Strive to comprehend emotions and those of loved ones
Make healthy lifestyle choices
Plan for the financial future and any career or job transitions

The Navigator also provides resources and practical advice, along with worksheets to track treatment summaries and follow-up care plans.

"YSC aims to provide young women with resources and connections tailored to every stage of their breast cancer journey," remarked Stacy Lewis, YSC's chief program officer and deputy chief executive. "It's clear that young women post-treatment are seeking out more education and support about long-term recovery and we want to validate that these questions and concerns are normal."

YSC's Navigators are designed to address the spectrum of a young woman's breast cancer experience. The Post-Treatment Navigator, which is available for free at www.youngsurvival.org, is the third in the series. A Newly Diagnosed Resource Kit (NDRK) and Metastatic Navigator are also currently available, with a Long-Term Survivor resource planned for 2013.

About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer. Founded by young survivors for young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their quality and quantity of life. Based in New York City, with locations nationwide, YSC today provides free comprehensive resources, support and education to address every phase of a young woman's breast cancer experience. It produces resources and educational materials such as the ResourceLink program, Newly Diagnosed Resource Kit (NDRK), Post-Treatment Navigator, Metastatic Navigator and is well known for its three national YSC Tour de Pink^® rides. It also co-hosts C4YW (Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer). For more information or to make a donation, please visit: www.youngsurvival.org.