HOME > LIFE WITH CANCER > FINDING COMMUNITY > METASTATIC BREAST CANCER (MBC)
Connecting with other young adults with breast cancer is an important aspect of life with cancer. Building your network of support may allow you to feel better about yourself, make new friends, improve your mood, cope better with your diagnosis, learn more about cancer, and better deal with the needs of others in your life.
Below are a variety of supports that you can utilize to expand your support system. These supports are best suited for those with metastatic breast cancer (stage IV).
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As always, check Young and Strong’s Upcoming Events page for additional opportunities and updates. 
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​DANA FARBER SUPPORTS
EMBRACing Young and Strong

EMBRACing Young and Strong is a community developed in collaboration with Dana-Farber’s EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone) Program to address the unique needs of young adults living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). 

Launched in May 2020, this initiative combines the collective strengths and expertise of both the Young and Strong and EMBRACE programs to offer educational and social programming and supports specifically tailored to young adults with MBC. All events are centered around the common goals of building community and support. With the help of a dynamic group of young patient leaders living with MBC, EMBRACing Young and Strong has provided a safe space for participants to build relationships and discuss their individual and shared experiences. 
In response to COVID-19, all events are currently virtual. While there were some initial concerns that this may hinder personal connections, we are pleased to learn that the virtual setting has actually enhanced relationships, as young adults from all parts of the country are able to attend from the comfort of their own homes and breakout rooms facilitate small group connections. ​
If you would like to be part of EMBRACing Young and Strong, receive more information, or be included in program-specific emails, please email youngandstrong@partners.org.

Don’t forget to check our Upcoming Events page to see what the EMBRACing Young and Strong group is planning next.

EMBRACE

The EMBRACE Program (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone) at Dana Farber provides continuous care, support, and assistance to patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. ​
This program makes metastatic breast cancer treatable with new therapies, drug combinations, and clinical trials for each subtype of metastatic breast cancer. EMBRACE provides a personalized treatment approach for your specific type of cancer and an individual plan of care and support for you and your loved ones. 
Research
Research is an integral aspect of the EMBRACE Program. There are multiple clinical trials available to study the effect of new targeted drugs in patients with metastatic disease. The EMBRACE care team matches qualified patients with the trial that is most relevant for their diagnosis. 

Also through the EMBRACE Program, patients can be a part of the EMBRACE Research Cohort Study that studies the biology of advanced breast cancer and the treatment experience of patients living with it. For more information about the EMBRACE study, please email bocembracecoordinators@partners.org. ​
Education
Every year MBC patients and their loved ones gather at Dana-Farber for a day-long forum that includes updates on research and treatment advances; sessions on integrative therapies, nutrition, and other ways to improve quality of life; and discussion groups with other attendees. Recordings from these sessions are available for viewing.
 2020 Forum Videos
 2019 Forum Videos
Newsletters
​Throughout the year, patients in the program also receive additional updates on research and care, through the form of webcasts, web chats, podcasts, and other channels. Examples of past newsletters can be accessed below.
If you would like to receive email updates about EMBRACE or speak to a coordinator about this program, please contact embrace@partners.org. 

ADDITIONAL DANA FARBER SUPPORTS

MBC Support Group
Dana-Farber hosts two monthly support groups for MBC patients. These groups are co-facilitated by a psychiatrist and a social worker. Members vary from people newly diagnosed with MBC to people who have been living with MBC for years. Attendees report powerful benefits of getting to know and being able to process with people who “get it.” For more information please call 617-632-4235.
One-to-One Program
One-to-One is a free telephone mentorship program for patients and caregivers at Dana-Farber. This program is designed to be a short-term resource, providing you with support from a volunteer peer mentor over the course of a few phone calls.

Peer mentors are trained volunteers who have “been there” and can be great sources of support and comfort. When matched with a peer young adult mentor who has a similar MBC diagnosis and/or similar treatment plan, they can:

  • Discuss symptoms you have experienced
  • Talk about what to expect from treatment
  • Identify supportive resources
  • Talk about issues you are facing as a young breast cancer patient
  • Address issues you may face caring for your loved ones
  • Guide you in talking with your child about a diagnosis
  • Discuss workplace issues- e.g., telling your boss

To request a mentor who has gone through an MBC diagnosis and treatment plan similar to yours, fill out a referral form. Please email onetoone@dfci.harvard.edu with any questions.
Young Adult Program
The Young Adult Program (YAP) at Dana-Farber provides emotional support services, opportunities to meet other young adults receiving treatment, and educational programs aimed at enhancing knowledge and self-advocacy skills. “Young adult” is loosely defined as anyone 18-39 years old. However, if you are out of this age range and consider yourself a young adult do not hesitate to contact YAP to see if their programs would be appropriate for you. 

YAP sponsors many programs that offer support to young adults facing any cancer diagnosis. Below are programs that may be of interest to you as a young adult diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • Educational workshops provide opportunities to expand your knowledge base, connect with peers, and discuss topics related to sexuality and sensuality, personal therapeutic outlets, the impact of cancer on personal identity, and more.
  • The Young Adult Support Group is held monthly and is open to any young adult diagnosed with cancer. You can browse the Support Group Calendar to find out when this group meets. For more information or to register, please email yap@dfci.harvard.edu.
  • The Young Adult Cancer Conference is an annual event held for people treated for cancer as a young adult and their caregivers. Throughout the conference, various workshops are held to connect you with other young adults and their caregivers and to learn about the many issues faced during this unique cancer experience. 

If you are interested in receiving email updates regarding events and workshops, please email YAP@dfci.harvard.edu or contact the Young and Strong Program team.

YAP has also introduced a new smartphone app, iaya, that aims to build community around coping skills for young adult patients at Dana-Farber. For more information and to obtain an access code, please contact YAP. 

EXTERNAL SUPPORTS

Young Survival Coalition
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an organization that strengthens the community, addresses the unique needs, amplifies the voice, and improves the quality of life of young adults affected by breast cancer, locally, nationally and internationally. YSC has support for “survivors” - any young adults diagnosed with breast cancer and "thrivers" - any young adults diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. They have communities for you to connect with others who share similar experiences and support each other. 
  • Join their Facebook Group where you can ask questions, share articles, and make connections with other young adults with breast cancer.
  • Attend Conferences for the chance to meet other young adults with breast cancer and attend workshops designed just for you.
  • Join a Virtual Hangout to connect with others and grow with your peers who share similar life experiences.
Virtual Hangout for Metastatic Thrivers
This YSC Virtual Hangout is a space to connect with others living with metastatic breast cancer. Ask questions, share articles and talk with others who just get it. 
Virtual Hangout for LGBTQ+ Survivors 
LGBTQ+ survivors and thrivers are invited to meet new friends and connect with others who face similar decision-making experiences in healthcare. Fierce advocates to shy listeners and everything in-between are welcome. 
Virtual Hangout for African American Young Breast Cancer Survivors
YSC has partnered with For the Breast of Us to host a virtual hangout exclusively for African American adults with breast cancer to meet with their peers. 
Virtual Hangout for Healthcare Provider Survivors 
​Young adults with breast cancer who are also healthcare providers - YSC has an online group for you! These roles can bring about some specific and important feelings. Come together with others familiar with wearing these two hats and share a safe place. ​
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is a national nonprofit that connects breast cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones with supportive programs and services.

LBBC hosts conferences where you can connect with other breast cancer patients and survivors and be a part of specialized and interactive workshops. 

The Thriving Together: Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer event is an annual two-day conference held each spring that focuses on the needs of someone living with metastatic breast cancer.

LBBC also has supportive resources online that connect you to breast cancer experts, advocates, and other patients through webcasts and webinars you can participate in via your phone, tablet, or computer. You can also access pre-recorded past webinars at any time.
Sharsheret
Sharsheret is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at an increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer. Sharsheret offers the below supportive opportunities.

  • The Peer-to-Peer Support Network connects newly diagnosed women or women at a high risk of developing breast cancer with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences to provide one-on-one support. 
  • The Spungen Foundation Family Focus Program offers support to caregivers and families through speaking with a social worker to answer personal questions and access resources to help understand the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and the best support options available to you.

Sharsheret also provides additional resources and services including individual psychosocial support, genetic counseling, parenting support, financial assistance, nutrition support, side-effect support, and webinars. ​
Breasties
The Breasties is a community meant to empower those affected by breast and reproductive cancers by igniting strength and positivity. Through connection, free retreats, wellness activities, events, and an all-inclusive resourceful online community, the hope is to spread the message that whatever you are going through — you are not alone.

The breasties is unlike other organizations, as it is for everyone — survivors, previvors, warriors, thrivers, carevivors and supporters. A topic-themed virtual meetup is planned each week. There are groups for newly diagnosed breasties, stage IV breasties and allies, BIPOC breasties, LBGTQ+ breasties and more. View the event calendar for more information. ​​