Young Women with Breast Cancer: Integrative Health and Prevention is this Year’s Focus on Capitol Hill
The rates of breast cancer among women under the age of 40 have increased significantly over the last two decades. Younger women typically face greater challenges with this disease than women over 50, partly because early diagnosis is less common among younger women and most cases among this population are not detected until the cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage. Even more troubling, young women with breast cancer often have a much more aggressive form of the disease to begin with, and tragically, the survival rates are statistically lower.In addition to these hard numbers, young women with breast cancer also face a different set of complex challenges related to diagnosis and treatment. Access to quality health care and support, fertility complications after treatment, peer acceptance, and body image are just a few of the compounding obstacles that may hinder young women — and older women as well — on their healing journey. However, as breast cancer rates continue to rise among this increasingly vulnerable population, the number of support networks and education services dedicated to increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment options has likewise grown, empowering young women to succeed in this difficult battle. Whether you are a young women with active breast cancer or you are in a high risk category, or you are a survivor of breast cancer, the available diagnostic, treatment, and prevention options are advancing day by day to offer greater clinical outcomes and support for this life-changing illness.
Tigerlily Foundation’s Annual Young Women’s Breast Health Day: Keynote Address
One such organization that has emerged over the last several years is the Tigerlily Foundation. Founded by cancer survivor Maimah Karmo who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at the age of 32, the Tigerlily Foundation is dedicated to empowering and supporting young women with breast cancer through advocacy, education and hands on services. Tigerlily’s main annual event is held on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, called the Annual Young Women’s Breast Health Day on Capitol Hill and Congressional Reception. This event is aimed at bringing together medical experts and industry leaders, members of Congress, media personalities and young breast cancer survivors together with their supporters to help raise awareness and collaborate on solutions to the unique problems facing young women with breast cancer today.
This year’s event will be held at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, Wednesday September 7th from 5 – 8 PM. The exciting news is that the focus of the event this year will be centered on prevention and wellness, and on the integration of conventional and complementary care for women before, during and after breast cancer treatment.
It is therefore my great honor to be presenting the Keynote Address for this year’s conference, sharing the stage with prominent leaders from the American Cancer Society, Congress, and other passionate supporters dedicated to preventing and fighting breast cancer and improving patients’ quality of life.
An important role for integrative cancer care
The fact that this foundation has chosen me as an integrative physician to be the keynote speaker for such a congressional event is monumental. It represents a potential shift forward in the mainstream cancer treatment model, from a conventional “one size fits all” treatment approach to a more holistic, wellness centered approach. Such a shift offers a strong focus on healthy prevention methods and integrative treatment protocols combining traditional and natural therapies together with Western medical modalities. In my experience as an integrative cancer physician, the strategic combination of treatments drawn from diverse medical systems, together with a central focus on the patient’s health and vitality, offers the greatest chances for a positive clinical outcome. I am excited to present this model at the Tigerlily Foundation’s event and help raise awareness about powerful prevention options and strategic integrative approaches that can make a difference for women of all ages with breast cancer, before, during and after treatment. For more information about this event, click here
Available options continue to improve
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with breast cancer, no matter your age, my most heartfelt advice is to never give up hope. Over the last 25 years, I have helped hundreds of women battle breast cancer successfully and stay cancer free in the years to follow. The available treatment options, diagnostic tools, and support services available for breast cancer patients of all ages are increasing. As breast cancer research and public policy, and awareness improve through the important work of Tigerlily Foundation and many other organizations, the statistics will shift. We will start to see much better outcomes in terms of breast cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and successful treatment programs which build the health of the patient while simultaneously fighting the disease for optimal wellness. For more information about integrative solutions to breast cancer, download my free breast cancer wellness guide here.
If you are in the Washington D.C. area on September 7th, I invite you to join me during this event for an evening of inspiration and hope, and the exciting possibilities for new cancer treatment models focused on integrative, patient-centered medicine, health and vitality.
Best of Health,
Dr. Isaac Eliaz
Dr. Isaac Eliaz
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