2024 Forum

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Join us in person for Young and Strong's 20th annual forum for young adult breast cancer patients and survivors. This educational and social event is designed to connect you with Dana-Farber experts and build community with peers.

Breast Cancer in Young Adults:
A Forum for Patients, Survivors, and Loved Ones

Friday, October 18, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

InterContinental Boston Hotel
510 Atlantic Ave,
Boston, MA 02210

This event is intended for those:

In Treatment for Stage 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Post-Treatment for Stage 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)

Loved ones who have been a source of support for you throughout diagnosis, treatment, and/or post treatment are also invited to attend with you.

Registration is required for all attendees, including loved ones.
Please register by Friday, October 4.

Learn more about this event using the buttons below.

Registration Details

Agenda for the Day

Submit Questions for the Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet the Experts

Registration Details

Registration is required to attend this event. All persons, including loved ones, must submit a registration form. Once registered, the Young and Strong team will be in touch in the weeks prior to the event to confirm your attendance and provide any logistical details.

There are three points throughout the day that you are able to "choose your own journey" and join groups that are most applicable to your experience and topics of interest. In the registration form, you will build your own schedule for the day by selecting the break-out sessions you'd like to participate in.

You will have the opportunity to submit questions for the treatment and wellness expert panels prior to the event. There are two ways to do so. The registration form will contain areas to list any questions you have. If questions come to mind after you have completed registration, please go the the "Submit Questions for the Experts" section below to submit them.

Please register by Friday, October 4. Add this day to your calendar.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions/concerns about the event.

Agenda

7:30 a.m. Arrival and Check-In Begins

8:30 a.m. Meet and Greet Activity
Facilitated by: Young and Strong Program Staff

8:50 a.m. Opening Remarks
Ann Partridge, MD, MPH

9:00 a.m. Patient Panel
Moderated by: Ann Partridge, MD, MPH

10:00 a.m. Break

10:15 a.m. "Making Your Voice Heard in Your Care"
Keynote Address
Professor Dame Lesley Fallowfield, DBE, BSc, DPhil, FMedSci

11:15 a.m. Treatment Expert Panels
Facilitated by: Dana-Farber Oncology Experts

Panel 1: Managing Active Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Panel 2: Survivorship Care Post-Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Panel 3: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)

12:15 p.m. Lunch and Resource Expo

1:15 p.m. Education Sessions
Facilitated by: Dana-Farber Oncology Experts

Fertility and Pregnancy After Breast Cancer
Updates in Breast Cancer Research
Navigating Parenthood with Breast Cancer*
Strengthening Ties: Loved Ones Supporting Each Other**
Expressive Arts

2:00 p.m. Wellness Expert Panel
Moderated by: Phil Poorvu, MD

2:50 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Facilitated by: Social Work Department

Session 1: Life During Active Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Session 2: Facing Forward After Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer
Session 3: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)
Session 4: Coping as Loved One (of Someone With Stage 0-IIIc Breast Cancer)
Session 5: Coping as a Loved One (of Someone With Metastatic, Stage IV, Breast Cancer)

4:00 p.m. Social Hour

* There will be separate discussion sessions for those with stage 0-IIIc breast cancer and those with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer.
** Co-facilitated by Keynote Speaker Dame Lesley Fallowfield, this engaging workshop will discuss practical tips and strategies for "caregivers" to support their loved one with breast cancer and for patients to support their loved ones.

Submit Questions for the Experts

We strongly encourage you to submit questions ahead of time for the experts in the sessions you will be attending. Questions will be accepted through Friday, October 11.

Treatment Experts
(please select the panel you registered for)

Managing Active Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer

Survivorship Care Post-Treatment for Stages 0-IIIc Breast Cancer

Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)

Wellness Experts

Wellness Expert Panel

Frequently Asked Questions

This event is promoted for young adults. What is considered "young"?

The Young and Strong Program is intended to support all adults diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44 or younger. However, there is no age limit. If you feel that the sessions available and topics discussed during this event would be beneficial, we encourage you to attend.

Is this event free to attend?

Yes, this event is free to attend.

For those who decide to park at the venue, there will be an additional fee. Please see the below question for more details.

Is there parking available?

Yes, parking will be available at the InterContinental Boston Hotel. As self-park is not allowed, you will need to valet park your car. For those who arrive before 9:00 am, the cost will be $30 for the day. For those who arrive after 9:00 am, the cost will be $39 for the day.

If you would not like to park at the hotel, we recommend using SpotHero to find other parking options in the area.

**Please note, if the cost of parking is at all an obstacle to you attending this event, please email our team at [email protected].

Is the venue accessible by public transportation?

Yes, there are many options to travel to the InterContinental Boston Hotel using public transportation.

The venue is a 5 minute walk from South Station.
For those who live close to the city of Boston, the subway lines can be used to travel to South Station.
Find a route that works for you.

For those who live further away from the city, the commuter rail trains can be used to travel to South Station. View the commuter rail lines to see if a station is close to your home.

The venue can also be accessed by bus and ferry.

I am traveling in from out of town. Are there any accommodations available?

Yes. There are many hotels in the surrounding area of the InterContinental Boston Hotel. We recommend using your favorite travel site to find the hotel that works best for your interests and budget. Boston is a walking city and the Forum is close to South Station (with connections to Amtrak, the Commuter Rail, Red Line, and Silver Line).

If you’re interested in staying on-site, the InterContinental Boston Hotel has offered a discounted group rate on the nights of Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th.

Please Note: Reservations must be made prior to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th for the group rate to apply. Please use the code YSP at booking, or make your reservation using this link.

Is there an option to attend virtually?

This event will take place solely in-person. Unfortunately, no hybrid or virtual option is available.

Will any of the sessions be recorded? 

Yes, the Patient Panel and Keynote Address will be recorded. When available, the recordings will be disseminated in Young and Strong's monthly e-newsletters and posted on our website.

Meet the Experts

Young and Strong Providers

Ann Partridge, MD, MPH
Founder and Director

Phil Poorvu, MD
Associate Director

Sara Giordano, MD
Satellite Director

Leticia Varella, MD
Medical Oncology

Megan Tesch, MD
Medical Oncology

Keynote Speaker

Dame Lesley Fallowfield, DBE, BSc, DPhil, FMedSci is a Professor of Psycho-oncology at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex where she is Director of the Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) group. Her research interests include the measurement of quality of life in clinical trials of cancer therapy and the training of communication skills for health care professionals in cancer. She has published over 500 papers, many book chapters and 3 textbooks. She lectures and runs training workshops throughout the world in psychosocial oncology, quality of life assessment and on teaching communication skills. She has received many prestigious awards for her work and in 2016 she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for services to psycho-oncology.

Dana-Farber Oncology Experts