The stats are in....young women get breast cancer. Our needs are unique in that often:

• we are told that we are "too young" and turned away from standard testing including ultra sound and mammography. Preventative breast "screening" generally doesn't begin until a woman is at least 40 years of age. For these reasons and in many cases we are diagnosed with the disease in more advanced stages.
• we are told that changes in our breast tissue are simply just to do with "our cycle".
• we are diagnosed with a more aggressive form of the disease.
• we are dealing with the juggling act of career/family/treatment plans.
• we are faced with the realities of early menopause and potentially may face the loss of our fertility due to aggressive treatment regimes.
• we are raising young children.
• we experience less support in our immediate communities due to a lack of community support groups that focus on the unique needs of the young woman with breast cancer; often young women do not return to support groups for this reason.

What is NOYS?

NOYS is:

… sharing stories and laughter.…talking to a newly diagnosed woman and
assuring her that she is not alone.…advocating for young women who may face
a future breast cancer diagnosis.…attending networking workshops and
conferences to gather pertinent info surrounding issues that affect
you….enjoying a weekend retreat of rest and relaxation…connecting with
other survivors across our communities.

BE AWARE - CHECK YOUR BREASTS - MAKE NOYS

My hope is that if you are a newly diagnosed woman with breast cancer and you have found this website that you now realize that you are not alone in your diagnosis. These women are here in our community and are here for your support. Please feel free to contact them.

Elizabeth Dill

Brin Brcic

Karen Lopez