PYNK is an innovative new program launched by Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for young women dealing with breast cancer. We don’t often think of breast cancer affecting young woman, but according to Dr. Ellen Warner, a medical oncologist at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, women 40 and under account for about 5% of the roughly 22,000 cases diagnosed each year in Canada. Some of these women are hardly women at all. They are still in their teens and should be preoccupied with university entrance exams and prom dresses, not breast cancer.

The name PYNK was chosen because pink is the colour most closely associated with the efforts to find a cure for breast cancer. The letter i was changed to the letter y for young. PYNK is the first program of its kind in Canada. It is designed to provide young women with the knowledge and resources on how to navigate the medical system in addition to providing psychological and social support. Nurse coordinators in the PYNK centres set up and guide patients through their tests, consultations with specialists and treatment schedule, in addition to supplying referrals for peer support and other psychosocial services.

There is also a strong focus on research because cancer in young women is very different than that in older women. Breast cancer in young women is unfortunately much more deadly and alternative treatments to counteract this disturbing trend must be found. PYNK operates entirely on fundraising and private donations. Between 50 and 100 woman are expected to enroll in the PYNK program this year. Contact the Sunnybrook Foundation to make a donation.