Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and their Families - Young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) have disparate psychosocial and medical outcomes compared to their older counterparts, and certainly compared to young adults who do not develop the disease. The purpose of the proposed project is to enable Young and Strong, the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer (Y&S) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) to close the disparity gap, specifically by reducing observed disparities in survival and quality of life due to age, race/ethnicity, or other social determinants of health. For this project proposal which we call the Young, Empowered and Strong (YES) Project, we will increase the availability of supportive services for YBCS inclusive of those with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and their caregivers and families by completing the following overarching strategies and activities: 1) establishing a network of survivors, caregivers, and other stakeholders to develop and focus on key priorities, and facilitate policy, system and environmental change to support YBCS access to optimal treatment and survivorship care and support (YES Network); 2) developing and disseminating evidence-based supports for YBCS, comprehensive of those living with MBC and caregivers, including comprehensive guides (YES Guides); 3) developing and widely promoting educational resources for providers who care for YBSC; and 4) creating a dedicated curriculum for Community Health Workers and Patient Navigators to engage and support underserved YBCS and their unique needs (YES Outreach Curriculum). The YES Project is strategically designed to be carried out through key partnerships with deep roots in communities, enabling us to improve the care and outcomes of YBCS and their caregivers and families not only here in Massachusetts and the New England region and beyond but as a model for across the US.
