Fifteen researchers, clinicians, advocates, and breast cancer survivors have been named to a new advisory committee charged with developing initiatives to increase knowledge of breast health and breast cancer among women under age 40 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 14.
The Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women was mandated by the Affordable Care Act enacted earlier this year, and will target its initiatives toward women at heightened risk for developing the disease, according to the CDC.
Committee members will assist the CDC in developing evidence-based approaches to advance breast cancer awareness among younger women, Director Thomas Frieden said in a statement. These approaches will include prevention research, education for health professionals, and education for the public, Dr. Frieden said.
Dr. Ann Partridge, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and clinical director of the Breast Oncology Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, will chair the panel, the CDC said.
Dr. Partridge founded and directs the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. The program addresses the unique needs of women in their early 40s and younger who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.