CDC Seeks Young Women to Share Personal Stories in New Breast Cancer Education Campaign

While rare, breast cancer does affect women under the age of 45. In young women, the disease is more often hereditary than it is in older women. Young women, however, may not realize they are at risk for this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new Bring Your Brave campaign will feature young women telling their personal stories about how their lives have been affected by breast cancer. The goals of the campaign are to motivate young women to learn about the disease and its prevention, learn their family history of cancer, and engage in conversations with their health care provider.

CDC is looking for stories from women ages 18 to 44 who:

Found a lump or abnormal change in their breast that turned out not to be breast cancer.
Have a mother, sister, or first cousin who had breast cancer before the age of 50 and is positive for BRCA.
Have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Have undergone genetic counseling and testing, and fit at least one of the following criteria: (1) have had breast cancer and have a BRCA gene mutation, (2) have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer and have a BRCA mutation, and (3) are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and have a personal or family history of breast cancer and have a BRCA mutation.

CDC is also looking for stories from women of any age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50, have a BRCA mutation, AND have a daughter between the ages of 18 and 40. Both women must be willing to share their story about hereditary cancer, learning about family history, and having a BRCA mutation.

To be considered for this project, women must: