Dateline Dehradun: 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 November 17, including a flagship academic event hosted in partnership with AIIMS Rishikesh.
AIIMS Rishikesh Hosted the International Symposium on November 18
in partnership with the BCYW Foundation (USA), AIIMS Rishikesh hosted a full-day International Symposium on Breast Cancer in Young Women on November 18 at 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, and community engagement and outreach are intrinsic to the program.
Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) on November 19
Amongst a series of events planned by the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation was a special program hosted by Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) on November 19, featuring a guest lecture titled “Healing Beyond the Hospital” presented by Lorna Larsen, RN, BScN, a health promotion specialist and advocate from the BCYW Foundation.
This session was planned to give nursing students and other learners valuable insights into international perspectives on community health promotion, early detection, holistic care, and youth-led health advocacy. The event offered students a valuable chance to discover how modern nursing goes beyond hospital settings into public health leadership, prevention-focused practice, and community empowerment.
 Foundation expanded its efforts to promote proactive breast health awareness in India){kind=link}