Breast Cancer Support Groups

A friend of mine had a lump in her breast removed, and now she's fine. But she's a little nervous as a result of the operation and would like to know if there are any support groups on the Internet for women who had breast surgery.

Fortunately there are a number of resources available to women who have survived breast cancer. These resources range from support groups to hotlines and are available to breast cancer survivors as well as their friends and families. There are several important reasons for women who have survived breast cancer to utilize these resources. Because breast cancer can recur it can be important for survivors to have a forum in which to express their fears, experiences, and concerns. These support groups can provide essential information about the healing process and provide support in the case that a woman's cancer may recur. Because of this chance of recurrence it is equally as essential that women who have survived breast cancer maintain regular follow-up visits with their doctor.

Resources for survivors:

• Y-Me, a national network for information on breast cancer has chapters in every region of the country and also offers a national support hotline for women to speak with a breast cancer survivor at (800) 221-2141. Their website provides an extensive list of links to other sites that address issues surrounding breast cancer.
• The Cancer Club is a national resource that uses humor to touch the lives of women who have survived breast cancer. It is run by survivor Christine Clifford. She has a regular newsletter, a book, and a number of aids for recovery.
• The Organization for People Who Have Survived Cancer provides offline support. They are located at 1010 Wayne Avenue, 5th Floor Silver Springs, MD 20910. They can be reached at (301) 650-8868.
• Survivors can also contact the American Cancer Society about programs and information by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.
• Users of e-mail can also subscribe to a breast cancer electronic mailing list. Breast cancer patients, their family and friends, and health professionals discuss issues of concern through email messages. To subscribe send e-mail to the listserv and write SUBSCRIBE BREAST-CANCER in the text of the message.
• The YWCA also provides support and information on exercise for women with breast cancer at many of their facilities. Call (800) 95-EPLUS and ask about the nearest location of the Encore Plus Program.

• an abnormal lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area
• any change in the size or shape of the breast
• abnormal discharge from the nipple
• change in the color or texture of the breast, aureola, or nipple
• any dimpling or puckering of the breast 

Breast Cancer: Mammography Screening

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and surrounding tissues which can effectively detect cancers long before you might feel a change during your monthly breast self- exam. Mammography can detect breast changes which could signify very early breast cancer.

Is mammography safe?

A very small dose of radiation is used in mammography, an amount equal to about two hours in the sun which places mammography in the safe range. In the United States, mammography clinics are certified to assure quality and safety. The American Cancer Society can provide a list of certified clinics in your area by calling your local office or 1-800-ACS-2345. It is important to remember where your mammograms are performed so that results in future years can be compared.

I have no symptoms, do I still need a mammogram?

Every women needs yearly mammograms beginning at the age of 40 or as recommended by her physician. A mammogram can detect cancer as much as a year or two before you or your physician could feel it. Breast cancer found in its earliest stages offers the greatest chance of remission and survival.

What kind of breast changes should be reported to your physician?

• Any lump or thickening of the breast or surrounding tissue
• A dimpling or puckering of your breast
• Scaling of the skin surrounding the nipple
• Nipple discharge which is not associated with breast feeding
• Any other breast change which is different for you

It's important to remember that most breast lumps are not cancerous and the most common reasons for breast lumps is fibrocystic breast disease which is a benign condition.

Although annual mammography offers your best chance for early detection of breast cancer, no test is 100% accurate. And it's vital for you to maintain a schedule of yearly mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exam (BSE) to check for changes. Remember, the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better your chance of beating this insideous disease.

How to Perform a Breast Self Exam

1 out of 8 women are at risk of developing breast cancer over their lifetime. Monthly breast self exam is one part of total breast care that includes annual physican exams and mammograms after age 40.

Difficulty Level: average      Time Required: 10 minutes

1. Stand in front of a mirror. Look for any changes such as puckering, changes in size or shape, dimpling, or changes in your skin texture.
2. Look for changes to the shape or texture of your nipples. Gently squeeze each nipple and look for discharge.
3. Repeat these steps with your hands on your hips, over your head, and at your side.
4. Raise your right arm and examine your every part of your left breast. Move in increasingly smaller circles, from the outside in, using the pads of your index and middle fingers.
5. Gently press and feel for lumps or thickenings.
6. Using body cream, if neccessary, continue to circle and gently massage the area outside your breast and under your arm.
7. Repeat with your left arm and right breast.
8. Lay down. Put a pillow under your right shoulder, and your right hand behind your head. Again gently massage and feel your breast for lumps or other changes.
9. Repeat with towel under left shoulder with left hand behind head.

Tips:

1. Menstruating women should do breast self-exam a few days after their periods end. Women who use oral contraceptives should do breast self exam on the first day of a new pill pack.
2. Post-menopausal non-menstruating women should pick a day and do breast self exam on the same day each month. Notify your physician immediately if you notice any changes or lumps.
3. Breast self exam should be a routine part of every woman's life. Talk to your daughters about the importance of breast self exam so it will become a routine part of their lives.
   

Extracted from by Tracee Cornforth.