resources
For more information about breast cancer:
> ASCO Answers: The ASCO Cancer Foundation
ASCO Answers is a series of Fact Sheets produced and made available through The ASCO Cancer Foundation. As the philanthropic affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The ASCO Cancer Foundation funds research and education programs both in the U.S. and abroad. By harnessing the knowledge of more than 28,000 oncology professionals in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), we help deliver physician-approved information directly to those in need. Through these efforts, we improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
> National Cancer Institute's Booklet: "What You Need To Know About™
Breast Cancer"
This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is for women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Learning about medical care for breast cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your care. You can read this booklet from front to back. Or, you can read only the sections you need right now. This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor - to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.
> Breastcancer.org
A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Breastcancer.org's mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
> Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to the advancement of research of inflammatory breast cancer, leading to finding its causes and increasing the effectiveness of its treatment. Increasing awareness of IBC symptoms, leading to earlier and better clinical methods of detection and diagnosis is the other principal activity to which they are dedicated.
> Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Founded in 1991, the organization offers resources, at low to no cost, that are designed for women who are at all stages of breast cancer. Programs and services such as three annual conferences, monthly community meetings and teleconferences, medically written publications, a toll-free Survivors' Helpline, and outreach programs for women who are underserved reflect the most relevant and up-to-date sources for women seeking specialized and targeted information.
> The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation
The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 2006 to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their efforts to determine the definitive causes of triple negative breast cancer, so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved. The TNBC Foundation website features include a helpline, clinical trial matching service, and discussion forum for triple negative breast cancer patients as well as their family and friends.
> Young Survival Coalition
A volunteer network of young survivors whose mission is to bring attention to issues surrounding breast cancer in young women. New York Metropolitan area activities will seek to focus support and dollars on breast cancer research, technology, education and outreach.
For more information about ovarian cancer and its relationship to breast cancer:
> The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is the foremost advocate for women with ovarian cancer in the United States. To advance the interests of women with ovarian cancer, the Alliance advocates at a national level for increases in research funding for the development of an early detection test, improved health care practices, and life-saving treatment protocols. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance educates health care professionals and raises public awareness of the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
> Project Hope for Ovarian Cancer and Education
The mission of Project Hope is to reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer and improve outcomes for women treated for it as a result of research and education. Project Hope advances this mission by educating women and their families about their individual risk of ovarian cancer and the specific screening and risk-reducing measures appropriate for them. It supports research directed at early detection, prevention, and more effective treatments for the illness. Project Hope has developed a risk assessment brochure and chart that are especially valuable for women who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, and that provide information about ovarian cancer symptoms, risk factors and what you can do to reduce your personal risk. The brochure and risk chart can be found at www.projecthopeforovariancancer.org.
For more information on all types of cancer:
> American Cancer Society
Nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, by saving lives and diminishing suffering through research, education, advocacy and service.
> Cancer.Net
Cancer.Net (formerly People Living With Cancer) brings the expertise and resources of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the voice of the world's cancer physicians, to people living with cancer and those who care for and care about them. All the information and content on Cancer.Net was developed and approved by the cancer doctors at ASCO, making Cancer.Net the most up-to-date and trusted resource for cancer information on the Internet.On the web site you will find: cancer-specific sections, diagnosis & treatment, coping, survivorship, clinical trial information, and much more!
> CancerCare
Managing your Cancer: Coping with "Chemobrain"
CancerCare's four-part series of fact sheets on this topic provide helpful tips on coping with this condition, including Cognitive Problems after Chemotherapy; Combating Chemobrain/Keeping your Memory Sharp; Ways to Improve Concentration/Three Key Steps; and Doctor, Can We Talk about Chemobrain.
(scroll down--fact sheets listed under Managing Side Effects)
National Cancer Institute
Your gateway to the most recent and accurate cancer information from the National Cancer Institute--a component of the National Institutes of Health.
NCI Cancer Bulletin
A weekly online newsletter designed to provide useful, timely information about cancer research to the cancer research community. The newsletter is published 48 times per year by the National Cancer Institute, with day-to-day operational oversight conducted by federal and contract staff at the NCI Office of Communications.
For more information about Clinical Trials:
> Cancer Trials Help
Sponsored by the non-profit, Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups-The Voice For Cancer Clinical Trials-the Coalition assists with cancer care decisions by providing cancer clinical trials for education and access.
> Clinical Trials Online
ClinicalTrials.gov offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions. The site currently contains approximately 11,300 clinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and private industry. Studies listed in the database are conducted in all 50 States and in over 90 countries.
> EmergingMed.com
Provides a free and confidential matching service for people who are seeking clinical trials for which they may be eligible. There is a handy medical dictionary on the web site.
Resources for families with inherited pre-disposition to breast cancer:
> FORCE - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
FORCE's Mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. To this end, FORCE has eight mission objectives: to provide women with resources to determine whether they are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer due to genetic predisposition, family history, or other factors; to provide information about options for managing and living with these risk factors; to provide support for women as they pursue these options; to provide support for families facing these risks; to raise awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer; to represent the concerns and interests of our high-risk constituency to the cancer advocacy community, the scientific and medical community, the legislative community, and the general public; to promote research specific to hereditary cancer; and to reduce disparities among underserved populations by promoting access to information, resources and clinical trials specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
> Sharsheret
Sharsheret is a national organization of cancer survivors dedicated to addressing the unique concerns of young Jewish women facing breast cancer. Sharsheret, Hebrew for "chain," was founded in 2001 by Rochelle Shoretz, a former Law Clerk to United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recognized the need for a breast cancer organization that would provide culturally sensitive support for Jewish women after her own diagnosis at age 28. Since the organization's founding, Sharsheret has responded to thousands of phone calls from health care professionals, Jewish organizations, women's organizations, women affected by breast cancer, their families, and friends. Visit the Sharsheret blog.
For more information on women's health/healthy living/diet and nutrition:
> MayoClinic.com: Tools for Healthier Lives
This website is owned by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research in Rochester, MN. Its mission is to empower people to manage their health by providing useful and up-to-date information and tools that reflect the expertise and standard of excellence of Mayo Clinic. The site gives access to the experience and knowledge of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic.
> Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products
MSK's Integrative Medicine Service's evidenced-based information on herbs, botanicals, vitamins and other supplements. A consumer version of each monograph is available to help you deal with the often confusing claims made for over-the-counter products and regimens. It is important to ask your doctor or another qualified professional about possible interactions with your specific medications before taking any supplements.
> National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Established in 1991, the Centers for Disease Control's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program helps low-income women obtain access to mammography and other screening services. To date, 1.6 million women have been screened through the program. Age and income requirements vary.
> National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
The oldest survivor-led advocacy organization working on behalf of this country's nearly 10 million cancer survivors and the millions more touched by this disease. Founded in 1986, NCCS continues to lead the cancer survivorship movement. By educating all those affected by cancer and speaking out on issues related to quality cancer care, NCCS is empowering every survivor.
> Get In Touch Foundation
Check out G.I.T.'s upcoming event, Pretty In Pink, in New York City at the Yale Club. Thursday, February 21st, 7-9pm.
The mission of the Get In Touch Foundation is to encourage women of all ages to �Get In Touch� with their bodies, be informed, and communicate with each other in the crusade against breast cancer. A cornerstone of this mission is the Get In Touch Girls Program, developed specifically for girls in grades 5-12 to educate them on the importance of, and how to do a breast self exam. In collaboration with a medical consulting board that includes a school nurse, a pediatrician, an oncologist, a breast surgeon and a radiologist, GIT has developed the Daisy Wheel. This highly innovative tool will be introduced by health educators to girls beginning in 5th grade, when introducing topics of hygiene and the girls' changing bodies, and will be taught annually through 12th grade. These "Eight Tips" for "Eight-Straight" years of the Girls' Program will give the girls the foundation they need to practice BSE - for life.
Resources for breast cancer survivors:
> The Advanced Breast Cancer Community Portal
A comprehensive information source and online community solely dedicated to the needs of advanced/metastatic breast cancer patients, caregivers, family and friends, and healthcare providers. Our goal is to empower patients with advanced/metastatic breast cancer to make the best personal decisions about their treatment and care, and connect them to others who may have similar health experiences through a safe, secure, privacy-protected site.
> Look Good...Feel Better
Look Good...Feel Better is a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program founded in 1989 and supported by corporate donors to help women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment.
While we try to link only to websites of reputable organizations, please be aware that BCRF is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of other websites. We encourage you to read the privacy statements provided by other websites before you provide personally identifiable information to them. We will endeavor to inform you when you are leaving our website.