Young and Strong Breast Cancer Forum
Join us for Breast Cancer in Younger Women: A Forum for Patients and Survivors sponsored by the Young and Strong Program. The event is open to younger women
with breast cancer (diagnosed at age 45 or younger), survivors, and loved ones. Information about the 2020 forum coming soon!
View the 2018 forum highlights
Care Team
Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, is the co-founder and director of the Young and Strong Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer. She is also director of Dana-Farber's
Adult Survivorship Program. Dr. Partridge has published her research in several leading journals, and she lectures nationally and internationally on young women with breast cancer and cancer survivorship.
She has received several awards and grants including a Champions in Change designation from the White House, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Improving Cancer Care Grant, LIVESTRONG Foundation Award, and Tracy Starr Breast Cancer Research
Fund Award. She also serves as a Susan G. Komen for the Cure Scholar and a Breast Cancer Research Foundation funded investigator.
The program staff includes world-renowned
breast cancer experts who understand the concerns of young women. They partner with patients to help them make informed decisions about their care. They also conduct innovative research on the biology
of breast cancer in young women, the value of support programs, the safety of pregnancy during and following cancer treatment, and other topics.
Learn more about our work to better understand breast cancer in young women (under the "Research" tab).
Supporting You at Every Step of the Way
The care team also includes dedicated nurses, social workers, and two program coordinators who onboard each new patient to the Young and Strong program. One of our program coordinators will meet with you at your first clinical appointment. She will explain
the many resources and services available to you during and after your cancer treatment, including genetic counseling, fertility services, integrative medicine (including acupuncture, reiki and massage), nutrition consults, support groups and one-on-one
peer mentors, social work and counseling services, educational events, and much more.
Our program coordinators can help answer questions about your care and help connect you with resources at Dana-Farber and in your community. They are available throughout your care at Dana-Farber.
Clinical social workers are an integral part of the care team. You will be offered an individual consultation with a clinical social worker to help you address the emotional needs and practical concerns you may have as a patient. You can decide if you
want to meet with a social worker, and whether the consultation is just one time, or an ongoing series. Even if you initially decline to meet with a social worker, you can always request a meeting at any time. Social workers can also meet with your
family members at your request.