Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 19 Nov: In response to the rising rate of breast cancer among young women in India, the Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCYW) Foundation has expanded its efforts to promote proactive breast health awareness through the launch of the Youth Council for Breast Health (YCBH) earlier this year. This global initiative helps educational institutions create campus-based BCYW chapters that equip young people with vital knowledge, leadership skills, and resources to work toward a breast cancer–free future.
The YCBH program highlights the vital role of early education and proactive breast health promotion by combining global expertise with strong local leadership. So far, the BCYW Foundation has established 25 YCBH chapters worldwide, including 14 in India, with eight active chapters in Uttarakhand alone.
Acknowledging the state’s exceptional engagement and dedication to youth-led health advocacy, the Foundation has named Uttarakhand a national model for breast health initiatives driven by students and young professionals.
The BCYW Foundation’s emphasis on youth empowerment is especially valuable for nursing students and future healthcare providers. It equips them with essential skills in early detection, preventive health education, and community outreach—abilities that are increasingly vital in modern healthcare systems.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the BCYWF scheduled two major collaborative activities during the week of 17 November, including a flagship academic event hosted in partnership with AIIMS Rishikesh.
In partnership with the BCYW Foundation (USA), AIIMS Rishikesh hosted a full-day International Symposium on Breast Cancer in Young Women on 18 November in its Main Auditorium. The symposium brought together leading national and international experts to address emerging challenges, early detection methods, and advanced treatment options for breast cancer in young women.
High-impact expert sessions covered topics such as Breast Health – Core of Women’s Health, Why Young Women Are Getting Breast Cancer, Symptoms and Treatment of Breast Cancer in Young Women, Interventions and Care, Prevention of Diagnostic Delays, Body Awareness and Breast Health.
