FACES OF HOPE: (from left) Survivors Paule Stensol-Johnson and Sharon Tanigawa with Fred Hutch's Dr. Anne McTiernan. Paule's son Jason David and Sharon's dog Sachi gave them hope throughout treatment.

 

Online Resources for Women
with Breast or Ovarian Cancer

American Cancer Society
800.729.1151. Provides a wealth of support and information to cancer patients and survivors.

The American Cancer Society Reach To Recovery program. 800.729.1151, ext. 3304 This program provides emotional support, information and exercise instruction for breast cancer patients, given by breast cancer survivors trained in the program.

Bastyr University Cancer Research Center
425.602.3172
Conducts research in complementary natural medical treatments for breast cancer.

Cancer Information Service for the Pacific Northwest 800.4CANCER. Cancer Information Service is a toll-free information and referral service and educational outreach program. The service is based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and funded by the National Cancer Institute. CIS provides up-to-date information on breast and ovarian cancer research and free publications on prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. Specially trained staff provide the latest scientific information in everyday language. CIS staff also answer questions in English and Spanish. Women can also order the CIS Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Based on several recognized risk factors, women and their health care providers can use this computer program to estimate their chances of developing breast cancer. To order on-line, visit their website and select "sign up form."

Gilda's Club (206) 440-2025

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 206.633.0303 Helpline: 800.IMAWARE. In 1982, Nancy Brinker started The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of her sister, Susan, who died in 1980 of breast cancer at age 36, leaving behind two young children. The organization is now one of the most respected leaders nationally and locally in the fight against breast cancer. The Foundation's Puget Sound Affiliate organizes the annual Komen Race For The Cure event, which is held across the country in 106 cities, and awards grants to local community breast cancer support groups that support educational efforts and provide outreach to underserved populations and free mammograms. They also have a national information site.

Myriad Genetics 800.4-MYRIAD Your doctor can provide more information on BRACAnalysis.tm To locate a Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Program in Seattle, visit their website.

National Cancer Institute
http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/disease/breast/

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research Jointly sponsored by Swedish Medical Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research is the only center on the West Coast that is soley dedicated to facilitating ovarian cancer research. Call 206.215.6200 for more information.

Team Survivor Northwest. 206.732.8350 This non-profit organization provides health education and exercise programs for women affected by cancer in all stages of treatment, recovery and survivorship.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. 800.221.2141 - Information hotline in English 800.986.9505 - Information hotline in Spanish
Y-ME was founded by two breast cancer patients in 1978, when they realized that their needs for information and support could best be met by women who had also experienced breast cancer.

 


TEXT BY KATHLEEN F. MILLER. PHOTO BY MARK VAN S.


Linda McCartney's death last year from breast cancer was a sharp reminder that it is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 35 and 54. As we mark October, national breast cancer awareness month, it is important to remember a central tenant of the race for a cure: Early detection.

A mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Following the American Cancer Society's (ACS) guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer improves the chances that breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully. ACS recommends that women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year.

Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast examination by a health professional every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam every year.

Women aged 20 or older should perform a breast self-examination (BSE) every month. By doing the exam regularly, a woman learns how her breasts normally feel and she can more readily detect any change. When a change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk, women are advised to see a health care provider as soon as possible for evaluation.

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