EUROPA DONNA, an EPHA member, held its first working group meeting for young breast cancer survivors in Milan on 18 June 2005.The meeting was part of the organisations efforts to ensure its goal that ’all women receive optimum breast cancer care, regardless of their age’.
The working group meeting addressed the special issues that affect young breast cancer survivors. Six women from six different countries shared their experiences and suggestions for overcoming the obstacles faced by this group of breast cancer patients. The working group meeting was a preliminary step, whereas an opportunity to follow up the issue is presented at a special workshop on young women that will be held at the seventh EUROPA DONNA Pan-European Conference in Rome on 5 November 2005.
Issues discussed during the working group meeting included the delay in diagnosis due to doctors thinking some women too young to suffer from breast cancer, lack of information, the need for increased awareness amongst health professionals, sexuality, relationships, eligibility for adoption, chlidcare, career and financial concerns.
See the attachment for more details.
