Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) Advocacy Alliance Supports Effort to Encourage Early Breast Health...( WASHINGTON March 23 /- The Susan G. K...),Health

WASHINGTON, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) Advocacy Alliance commended Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Donna Christensen (D-VT) and Melissa Bean (D-IL) for their efforts to inspire young women to take control of their breast health with the introduction today of the "Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009." The EARLY Act will initiate an aggressive public education campaign about breast cancer and women under age 40 - with an emphasis on women at higher risk due to their race, ethnicity or genetic heritage.

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"We know all too well the importance of educating young women about breast cancer. My sister Suzy, for whom Susan G. Komen for the Cure is named, was diagnosed with her breast cancer when she was just 33 years old. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37," said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "We know so much more now than we did then, but still, so many young women do not understand the risks, and so many providers do not understand that young women CAN get breast cancer."

In addition to educating young women, the bill will also help health care professionals be more aware of the risk factors, the opportunities for genetic counseling and testing, and the unique challenges that face young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

While breast cancer is less common among women under age 40 than for other age groups, this year alone, 11,000 young women under age 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of these, about 1,000 will be between age 20 and age 30. Today, more than 250,000 women under age 40 are living with breast cancer; many of them found out they
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