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Abstract

"Joven & Fuerte": Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico - Initial Results

VOLUME 69 - NUMBER 4 / July-August (In-depth Reviews) doi: 10.24875/RIC.17002280

Cynthia Villarreal-Garza, Department of Research and Breast Tumors, Instituto Nacional de CancerologÃa (INCan), Mexico City; Breast Cancer Center, Hospital Zambrano Hellion, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, San Pedro Garza GarcÃa, Monterrey, N.L.; Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City;, Mexico
Andrea Castro-Sanchez, Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Alejandra Platas, Department of Research and Breast Tumors, Instituto Nacional de CancerologÃa (INCan), Mexico City;; Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City; Mexico
Melina Miaja, Joven y Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City; Centro de CÃ¡ncer de Mama, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico
Alejandro Mohar, Department of Research and Breast Tumors, Instituto Nacional de CancerologÃa (INCan), Mexico City;; Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City; Unidad de EpidemiologÃa e InvestigaciÃ³n BiomÃ©dica en CÃ¡ncer, INCan-UNAM, Mexico City; Mexico
Regina Barragan-Carrillo, Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
Alan Fonseca, Joven & Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City
Yoatzin Vega, Joven & Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City
Bertha Alejandra Martinez-Cannon, Breast Cancer Center, Hospital Zambrano Hellion, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, San Pedro Garza GarcÃa, Monterrey, N.L.; Joven & Fuerte: Program for the Care and Research of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico, Mexico City; Mexico
Dione Aguilar, Joven & Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City; Centro de CÃ¡ncer de Mama, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, Monterrey, N.L.
Enrique BargallÃ³-Rocha, Joven & Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City; Department of Research and Breast Tumors, Instituto Nacional de CancerologÃa, Mexico City
Servando Cardona-Huerta, Centro de CÃ¡ncer de Mama, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, Monterrey, N.L.
Omar PeÃ±a-Curiel, Breast Cancer Center, Hospital Zambrano Hellion, TecnolÃ³gico de Monterrey, San Pedro Garza GarcÃa, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Juan Matus-Santos, Joven & Fuerte: Programa para la AtenciÃ³n e InvestigaciÃ³n de Mujeres JÃ³venes con CÃ¡ncer de Mama, Mexico City; Department of Research and Breast Tumors, Instituto Nacional de CancerologÃa, Mexico City

Despite the high rates of breast cancer among young Mexican women, their special needs and concerns have not been systematically addressed. To fulfill these unsatisfied demands, we have developed “Joven & Fuerte: Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico,” the first program dedicated to the care of young breast cancer patients in Latin America, which is taking place at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico and the two medical facilities of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. The program was created to optimize the complex clinical and psychosocial care of these patients, enhance education regarding their special needs, and promote targeted research, as well as to replicate this program model in other healthcare centers across Mexico and Latin America. From November 2013 to February 2017, the implementation of the “Joven & Fuerte” program has delivered specialized care to 265 patients, through the systematic identification of their particular needs and the provision of fertility, genetic, and psychological supportive services. Patients and families have engaged in pedagogic activities and workshops and have created a motivated and empowered community. The program developed and adapted the first educational resources in Spanish dedicated for young Mexican patients, as well as material for healthcare providers. As for research, a prospective cohort of young breast cancer patients was established to characterize clinicopathological features and psychosocial effects at baseline and during follow-up, as a guide for the development of specific cultural interventions addressing this vulnerable group. Eventually, it is intended that the program’s organization and structure can reach national and international interactions and serve as a platform for other countries.

Keywords: Breast cancer. Young women. Survivorship. Program. Mexico. Latin America.

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