You have breast cancer.

Life-altering words women never think they will hear — especially at a young age.

So when a young woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she feels isolated and alone. Her psychosocial and medical issues are fundamentally different than those of her older post-menopausal counterparts, as is the impact of her diagnosis on her family, friends, partners and children.

But young women diagnosed with breast cancer are not alone. There are currently more than 250,000 women living in the United States under age 45 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2003, more than 11,000 women like you were diagnosed with the disease.

With the bulk of medical and psychological resources designed for women over age 50, you and your loved ones may not know where to turn. More aggressive cancers, fertility, relationship issues, treatment-induced early menopause, living decades with this serious diagnosis — these are just a few ways your breast cancer experience can be unique.

To address these issues, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Young Survival Coalition have created this conference for young women affected by breast cancer and those who support them. Please join us and more than 800 other young women for a weekend filled with information and activities that will inspire and empower you.

No other conference offers up-to-the-minute breast cancer information specific to young women, delivered by knowledgeable, yet compassionate, healthcare professionals.

The conference offers:

• The latest medical, psychosocial and practical information from nationally acclaimed breast cancer experts

• Workshops relevant to: recently diagnosed young women; those who have completed treatment; those living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer; and caregivers

• Opportunities to network and explore issues of concern with other women like you

Workshop Highlights

• Understand how various treatments can impact fertility — and what options can help you maintain your potential for future childbearing

• Get tips for coping with the challenges you face while living with advanced breast cancer

• Discover what experts are saying about the use of hormonal treatments in young women, including the latest on tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression

• Hear about the different and latest breast reconstruction techniques and how to determine which procedure is best for you

• Manage your treatment side effects — including menopausal symptoms — with conventional and complementary interventions

• Use your breast cancer experience to become a successful advocate for other women’s benefit

• Learn how eating smart can help fuel your body and promote healing during treatment

• Determine ways to handle your diagnosis and treatment in the workplace — and manage your career like a pro