Where to Turn for Hope & Support

When you or a family member is affected by breast cancer it can seem isolating and lonely. However, there are many resources to turn to. From places, books and websites you can find support, hope and inspiration to keep your faith strong throughout the experience.

I have spoken with several breast cancer survivors as well as people who have had a family member go through it and they have shared with me the resources that they found especially helpful. Here is a list of what they told me so all of you collegiette’s who have gone through this or may go through it can turn to these helpful resources if need be.
 
Young Survival Coalition- This website is geared towards young women and their family’s when they are affected by breast cancer. Although it seems as though its mothers and grandmothers who are usually diagnosed with breast cancer that is not always the case. When my sister was 24 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and this website was an outlet we both could use to see that, although rare, breast cancer in young women is treatable and beatable- just look at how amazing my sister is doing 7 months later!
 
The Cancer Community Center- This is a resource for those in Maine affected by breast cancer. The center is located in South Portland and offers events, books, free hats and scarves and help for families with our without the patient present,. This place doesn’t make everything they offer about cancer, they make it about keeping yourself informed and busy when everything else in your life is turned upside down.
 


Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy- This book has a accompanying DVD and website that explores the importance of a woman keeping your femininity alive while battling breast cancer. When my sister Laura got diagnosed with breast cancer she found this book at the Cancer Community Center and took it home to read. The author, Geralyn Lucas, battled breast cancer and had to get a mastectomy but found ways to embrace her womanhood whether cancer was taking her breasts from her or not. When you know someone facing a mastectomy share this book with them or read it for yourself and get inspired!
 

Your Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook=  This book is a guide to understanding the disease and it is written by Judy Kneece.  Sue Richter, a breast cancer survivor from Portland, said this book was a good way to start understanding what was going on after first being diagnosed. Another good thing to keep is a notebook with all of your doctor’s names, appointments, previous medications, schedules etc so that you are not scrambling for this information during appointments.
 
 
Here are a few resources to remember should breast cancer affect you or a loved one. Don’t forget to read and learn how to give yourself a breast exam in our article from yesterday. Early detection is the best protection! 

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