Breast Cancer in Younger Women Requires Different Approach

Dr. Deborah Mayer is co-investigator of a new grant funded by CDC: “Developing Support and Educational Awareness for Young (<45) Breast Cancer Survivors.” Younger women with breast cancer often face unique developmental issues related to professional careers, parenting, intra- and interpersonal relationships and financial hardships.

Many of these challenges confronting younger patients can be mitigated by various structured support services. However, the need for such services are not routinely assessed, and the majority of younger women with breast cancer do not receive them. The overall goal of this project is to improve the receipt of beneficial supportive care services for younger women who have breast cancer. This is a 3-year $786,000 grant; Dr. Larry Marks, Chair of Radiation Oncology, is Principal Investigator. Information about the research is available at the following link:

http://unclineberger.org/news/project-to-improve-use-of-cancer-support-services

Deb and Dr. Marks were recently interviewed by Maggie Alexander for a story to appear in mid-October 2011 on NBC-17. Congratulations to Dr. Mayer!