“Mom, will I get breast cancer too?”
Initiating Conversations Between Mothers and Daughters About Breast Cancer
David W. Kissane, Attending Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences | Karen Hurley, PhD, Assistant Attending, Department
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences | Mark Robson, MD, Clinic Director, Clinical Genetics Service | Sherry Boyar, CGC, Clinical Genetics Service
A panel of experts will discuss how mothers with breast cancer and their adolescent/young adult daughters can better communicate about complex issues. Discussion will also focus on recommendations for surveillance, risks and benefits of hormone therapy, timing of genetic testing, what families can do with new and often confusing information, and how to best explore ongoing options. Registration is necessary — please call 646.888.4740.
Please bring your daughters! Come together and begin to discuss key issues for the future of young women.
Wednesday, April 28
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
William Paul Hoffman Auditorium
(between 67th & 68th Streets)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
How to Live Well Beyond Breast Cancer
By TARA PARKER-POPE
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/how-to-live-well-beyond-breast-cancer/
Most books about breast cancer are focused on a woman’s immediate crisis, helping them learn more about the disease and make urgent treatment decisions. But what happens to women after all the decisions are made, the treatment is finished and life is supposed to go back to normal?
The American Cancer Society estimates there are some 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and for most of them, life never goes back to what it used to be, said Dr. Marisa C. Weiss, a breast oncologist and founder of the nonprofit information Web site BreastCancer.org.
Dr. Weiss is the co-author of a new book, “Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer: A Survivor’s Guide for When Treatment Ends and the Rest of Your Life Begins.’’ The book, written with her mother, Ellen Weiss, was originally published in 1998 as “Living Beyond Breast Cancer.” The updated version reflects not only the dramatic changes in breast cancer treatment and advice over the past 12 years but also addresses a range of issues now more commonly faced by women after treatment, like “chemo” brain and sleep problems. In addition, the book reflects the personal experience of Ellen Weiss, who learned she had breast cancer five years ago. Dr. Weiss said her mother was doing well and “was able to provide deeper and more useful insights into the experience of surviving breast cancer.”
For the Friday “Well Bookshelf” series, I recently spoke to Dr. Weiss about her new book and why women need more information about life after breast cancer. Here is our conversation.
Q.
There are so many books now about breast cancer. Why did you decide to write this book?
A.
More and more women are surviving breast cancer because of advances in early detection and treatment. They want to know how to move on with their lives. The whole point of diagnosing breast cancer and treating it effectively, it’s not to give treatment. It’s to give them back a life worth living that’s meaningful, that’s fun, where they’re contributing. We want to make sure that women have all the information they need to get past their treatment, move on with their lives and overcome or manage a lot of the lingering issues.
Q.
People often talk about getting back to “normal” life. Is that possible after breast cancer?
A.
It used to be when we talked about women getting past breast cancer, we talked about how long would it be to return to normal. They never go back to where they were. Their lives are transformed by this experience. What’s realistic is they get to a new normal. Life won’t look the same as it did, but with time they can reestablish a sense of normalcy and feel much more like themselves again.
Q.
Why did you change the title to “Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer”?
A.
Because people don’t want to just be living beyond breast cancer. They don’t need to just live. They want to live well. And they want to live well beyond this disease. When the C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) issue survivorship data, they usually give five year survivorship. Women are like: “Five years? Tell me my chance of living 10 years, 15 years, 25 years.” They say, “I have a 5-year-old kid. I want to see her walk down the aisle 20 years from now.”
Q.
Does this book have treatment advice for a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer?
A.
The book picks up where your primary treatment drops off. After surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, that’s where women start to ask themselves: When this is over, what do I do next? Do I ever see these doctors again? How do I move beyond it? There are a lot of treatments ongoing. Hormonal therapy like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, those go on for five years. Herceptin goes on for a full year. For anybody who is living with metastatic disease, they are on continuous treatment. So we have information in the book about ongoing therapies.
Q.
What’s one of the most common questions women ask after breast cancer treatment ends?
A.
One thing women don’t anticipate is that at the end of treatment, instead of feeling jubilant and completely relieved and happy, they often feel depressed and anxious and worried and isolated. They were in this continuous whirlwind tour of the medical system, and then all of a sudden they are abandoned and there is separation anxiety when they no longer see their doctors on a regular basis for treatment. Everybody expects they will get back to normal right away and go back to a full time job, go back to their prior expectations and performance. That’s not always realistic. There is a reality check of being different than you were and not having active sympathy since treatment is over.
Q.
What are some of the other common experiences of women after breast cancer treatment?
A.
Another big side effect is fatigue. There are hot flashes from premature menopause and side effects of ongoing hormonal therapies. Another one is difficulty with cognition. People call it “chemo” brain or mind fog – that’s also a big issue. Difficulty sleeping. Waking up with anxiety, hot flashes, restlessness – you no longer feel as rested during the day. And especially for any young woman who goes through this, they also struggle with body image issues.
Q.
Did you talk about “chemo” brain in the first edition of the book?
A.
There was some information, but it was really small. We know now that women really suffer from not being able to perform as well as they used to. More women get chemotherapy and are taking ongoing therapies. These things can affect their cognitive ability and ability to multitask. A woman today is on the cellphone, the BlackBerry, on the computer, kids are calling her and she’s meeting a deadline for work. The need to multitask constantly is so much more today than it used to be. It’s not a surprise that this issue should be much bigger today than it was even 12 years go.
Q.
Do you ever hear from women who say that the new normal after breast cancer is better than the old normal before their diagnosis?
A.
Many people have transformational experiences where they feel like: “I know what really matters to me. My priorities have been reordered. I know who my friends are, I know who I want to spend time with. I’m going to make sure I travel more.’’ They realize how precious life is and that life is your greatest gift. The whole reason you subject yourself to chemo, radiation, surgery and all this rough stuff is to get back to a life you find worth living. On the other side, people say, “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, I’m not going to take anything for granted.” I hear a lot of times women say: “My life is better than it ever was before. My relationship is stronger with my husband,” or “I’m getting out of a dysfunctional relationship.’’
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/how-to-live-well-beyond-breast-cancer/
Most books about breast cancer are focused on a woman’s immediate crisis, helping them learn more about the disease and make urgent treatment decisions. But what happens to women after all the decisions are made, the treatment is finished and life is supposed to go back to normal?
The American Cancer Society estimates there are some 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and for most of them, life never goes back to what it used to be, said Dr. Marisa C. Weiss, a breast oncologist and founder of the nonprofit information Web site BreastCancer.org.
Dr. Weiss is the co-author of a new book, “Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer: A Survivor’s Guide for When Treatment Ends and the Rest of Your Life Begins.’’ The book, written with her mother, Ellen Weiss, was originally published in 1998 as “Living Beyond Breast Cancer.” The updated version reflects not only the dramatic changes in breast cancer treatment and advice over the past 12 years but also addresses a range of issues now more commonly faced by women after treatment, like “chemo” brain and sleep problems. In addition, the book reflects the personal experience of Ellen Weiss, who learned she had breast cancer five years ago. Dr. Weiss said her mother was doing well and “was able to provide deeper and more useful insights into the experience of surviving breast cancer.”
For the Friday “Well Bookshelf” series, I recently spoke to Dr. Weiss about her new book and why women need more information about life after breast cancer. Here is our conversation.
Q.
There are so many books now about breast cancer. Why did you decide to write this book?
A.
More and more women are surviving breast cancer because of advances in early detection and treatment. They want to know how to move on with their lives. The whole point of diagnosing breast cancer and treating it effectively, it’s not to give treatment. It’s to give them back a life worth living that’s meaningful, that’s fun, where they’re contributing. We want to make sure that women have all the information they need to get past their treatment, move on with their lives and overcome or manage a lot of the lingering issues.
Q.
People often talk about getting back to “normal” life. Is that possible after breast cancer?
A.
It used to be when we talked about women getting past breast cancer, we talked about how long would it be to return to normal. They never go back to where they were. Their lives are transformed by this experience. What’s realistic is they get to a new normal. Life won’t look the same as it did, but with time they can reestablish a sense of normalcy and feel much more like themselves again.
Q.
Why did you change the title to “Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer”?
A.
Because people don’t want to just be living beyond breast cancer. They don’t need to just live. They want to live well. And they want to live well beyond this disease. When the C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) issue survivorship data, they usually give five year survivorship. Women are like: “Five years? Tell me my chance of living 10 years, 15 years, 25 years.” They say, “I have a 5-year-old kid. I want to see her walk down the aisle 20 years from now.”
Q.
Does this book have treatment advice for a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer?
A.
The book picks up where your primary treatment drops off. After surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, that’s where women start to ask themselves: When this is over, what do I do next? Do I ever see these doctors again? How do I move beyond it? There are a lot of treatments ongoing. Hormonal therapy like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, those go on for five years. Herceptin goes on for a full year. For anybody who is living with metastatic disease, they are on continuous treatment. So we have information in the book about ongoing therapies.
Q.
What’s one of the most common questions women ask after breast cancer treatment ends?
A.
One thing women don’t anticipate is that at the end of treatment, instead of feeling jubilant and completely relieved and happy, they often feel depressed and anxious and worried and isolated. They were in this continuous whirlwind tour of the medical system, and then all of a sudden they are abandoned and there is separation anxiety when they no longer see their doctors on a regular basis for treatment. Everybody expects they will get back to normal right away and go back to a full time job, go back to their prior expectations and performance. That’s not always realistic. There is a reality check of being different than you were and not having active sympathy since treatment is over.
Q.
What are some of the other common experiences of women after breast cancer treatment?
A.
Another big side effect is fatigue. There are hot flashes from premature menopause and side effects of ongoing hormonal therapies. Another one is difficulty with cognition. People call it “chemo” brain or mind fog – that’s also a big issue. Difficulty sleeping. Waking up with anxiety, hot flashes, restlessness – you no longer feel as rested during the day. And especially for any young woman who goes through this, they also struggle with body image issues.
Q.
Did you talk about “chemo” brain in the first edition of the book?
A.
There was some information, but it was really small. We know now that women really suffer from not being able to perform as well as they used to. More women get chemotherapy and are taking ongoing therapies. These things can affect their cognitive ability and ability to multitask. A woman today is on the cellphone, the BlackBerry, on the computer, kids are calling her and she’s meeting a deadline for work. The need to multitask constantly is so much more today than it used to be. It’s not a surprise that this issue should be much bigger today than it was even 12 years go.
Q.
Do you ever hear from women who say that the new normal after breast cancer is better than the old normal before their diagnosis?
A.
Many people have transformational experiences where they feel like: “I know what really matters to me. My priorities have been reordered. I know who my friends are, I know who I want to spend time with. I’m going to make sure I travel more.’’ They realize how precious life is and that life is your greatest gift. The whole reason you subject yourself to chemo, radiation, surgery and all this rough stuff is to get back to a life you find worth living. On the other side, people say, “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, I’m not going to take anything for granted.” I hear a lot of times women say: “My life is better than it ever was before. My relationship is stronger with my husband,” or “I’m getting out of a dysfunctional relationship.’’
Monday, February 8, 2010
Few Women Take Tamoxifen to Prevent Breast Cancer
ScienceDaily.com (Feb. 8, 2010) — Researchers with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have found that the prevalence of tamoxifen use for the prevention of breast cancer among women without a personal history of breast cancer is very low.
Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at increased risk for developing the disease. Details of this survey are published in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
The low prevalence of tamoxifen use may stem from various sources, which were not investigated in this study, according to the study's coauthor Andrew N. Freedman, Ph.D., chief of the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, NCI.
However, he stressed that "counseling individual women about using tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer must include a patient's discussion with her physician about the drug's risks and benefits, as well as consideration of the patient's personal values, preferences, lifestyle and specific medical situation."
Lead author of this study Erika A. Waters, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues at the NCI wanted to gain an understanding of how many women aged 40 to 79 years were taking tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer. They answered this question using data from the National Health Interview Surveys from years 2000 and 2005, which are nationwide surveys designed to be representative of the entire United States. The surveys included more than 10,000 women for each year.
"Our results indicated that very few women were using tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer," said Waters. "However, we don't know exactly why."
The researchers found that the prevalence of tamoxifen use in this survey population was very low -- 0.2 percent in 2000 and 0.08 percent in 2005. The difference between the two years was not statistically meaningful, according to the researchers.
Freedman and Waters speculated that the drug's low uptake may be linked to many factors including the fact that tamoxifen is associated with several side effects.
These side effects include hot flashes, sexual problems, uterine cancer, blood clots and cataracts. Other possible explanations that the researchers gave for the low uptake may be that physicians are unaware of the drug's availability, physicians are reluctant to prescribe it, patients are reluctant to take it, there is a lack of patient or physician education about the drug, or skepticism about whether the benefits outweigh the risks. It could also be that physicians and patients are, in fact, very educated and are making very informed decisions, according to the researchers.
"The decision to use a drug like tamoxifen in women at high-risk for, but who do not yet have a diagnosis of breast cancer is not easy. It is dependent upon the woman's personal choice, which can be influenced by many factors, not just her medical eligibility. There is no right answer," said Waters, who at the time of the study was a fellow in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Center for Cancer Training, NCI.
Susan Gapstur, Ph.D., M.P.H., vice president of epidemiology, American Cancer Society, and editorial board member of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, said that "overall, these results provide an important snapshot of the very low uptake of tamoxifen for cancer prevention."
"Although the researchers speculate on a number of possible explanations, it remains unclear to what extent the low uptake might be attributed to physician reluctance to prescribe tamoxifen and/or patient reluctance to take it," said Gapstur.
Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at increased risk for developing the disease. Details of this survey are published in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
The low prevalence of tamoxifen use may stem from various sources, which were not investigated in this study, according to the study's coauthor Andrew N. Freedman, Ph.D., chief of the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, NCI.
However, he stressed that "counseling individual women about using tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer must include a patient's discussion with her physician about the drug's risks and benefits, as well as consideration of the patient's personal values, preferences, lifestyle and specific medical situation."
Lead author of this study Erika A. Waters, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues at the NCI wanted to gain an understanding of how many women aged 40 to 79 years were taking tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer. They answered this question using data from the National Health Interview Surveys from years 2000 and 2005, which are nationwide surveys designed to be representative of the entire United States. The surveys included more than 10,000 women for each year.
"Our results indicated that very few women were using tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer," said Waters. "However, we don't know exactly why."
The researchers found that the prevalence of tamoxifen use in this survey population was very low -- 0.2 percent in 2000 and 0.08 percent in 2005. The difference between the two years was not statistically meaningful, according to the researchers.
Freedman and Waters speculated that the drug's low uptake may be linked to many factors including the fact that tamoxifen is associated with several side effects.
These side effects include hot flashes, sexual problems, uterine cancer, blood clots and cataracts. Other possible explanations that the researchers gave for the low uptake may be that physicians are unaware of the drug's availability, physicians are reluctant to prescribe it, patients are reluctant to take it, there is a lack of patient or physician education about the drug, or skepticism about whether the benefits outweigh the risks. It could also be that physicians and patients are, in fact, very educated and are making very informed decisions, according to the researchers.
"The decision to use a drug like tamoxifen in women at high-risk for, but who do not yet have a diagnosis of breast cancer is not easy. It is dependent upon the woman's personal choice, which can be influenced by many factors, not just her medical eligibility. There is no right answer," said Waters, who at the time of the study was a fellow in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Center for Cancer Training, NCI.
Susan Gapstur, Ph.D., M.P.H., vice president of epidemiology, American Cancer Society, and editorial board member of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, said that "overall, these results provide an important snapshot of the very low uptake of tamoxifen for cancer prevention."
"Although the researchers speculate on a number of possible explanations, it remains unclear to what extent the low uptake might be attributed to physician reluctance to prescribe tamoxifen and/or patient reluctance to take it," said Gapstur.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
| October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month | |||
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Friday, April 10, 2009
Challenge Your Friends on ibeatyou.com!
Visit: http://www.ibeatyou.com/event/revlonrunwalk You can challenge all of your friends to see who can raise the most money for the EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women! In order to support the cause, Jessica Alba, Entertainment Industry Foundation and REVLON want to see you compete in the special competitions and support your ibeatyou EIF REVLON team by donating whatever you can. Top three winners in each competition will receive a REVLON Prize Pack (1st prize valued at $500)! See you there!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Join Team NCCS in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women
It’s all hands on deck in
Volunteer: This is a huge event and we need people to support the team of runners and walkers. Help us staff our booth, pass out water, sign in participants, meet survivors, and celebrate survivorship. Volunteers can run/walk, too. Be sure to indicate team #3562 for the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship on your volunteer registration form. Sign up now >>
Participate: Gather your supporters and run/walk (even crawl, it’s not a race) to raise money for the cause. You do the walk and we’ll do the work: Just fill in your information to set up your personal fundraising page. To join the NCCS run/walk team, make sure your form indicates team #3562 for the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Register now >>
Donate: We need your help to meet our $20,000 team fundraising goal. If you can’t make it to the race, you can still pitch in. Make a tax-deductible donation to support team NCCS (Team # 3562.) Donate now >>
Spread the word: Tell your family and friends you don’t want to miss out on this fun event; ask your local school to help raise money or sponsor you on the NCCS team; challenge your colleagues to a fundraising contest; inspire your neighbors to give back to the community.
It takes a team to fight cancer; join the team that’s making a difference. Learn more >>
Tell a Friend | Donate to the Cause | Sign up for News
NCCS advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans and provides tools that empower people affected by cancer to advocate for themselves. Founded by and for cancer survivors in 1986, NCCS created the widely-accepted definition of survivorship and considers someone a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the balance of life. Its free publications and resources include the award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox®, a self-learning audio program created by leading cancer organizations to help people develop essential skills to meet the challenges of their illness. More information is available at www.canceradvocacy.org or 1-888-650-9127.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Cancer Schmancer
Hey all,
I want to share with you this article that a friend of mine forwarded to me; a story I hear much too often. A woman in
Cancer Schmancer addresses this very issue and it shows all the more how important it is to take control of your body! Women with gynecologic cancers are very often misdiagnosed for benign illnesses. We must educate ourselves on the early warning signs of cancer and be proactive in our own health care. As medical consumers, we cannot worry about insulting our primary physicians. It’s your life, it’s your body, so get a second opinion if you aren’t receiving the undivided attention you deserve. It’s an absolute must!
So read the following article and spread the word. Together, we can work together to ensure all women learn how to take control of their bodies so no more of these stories are told. Stage 1 is the cure!
Be well,
Fran
Doctor Missed Woman's Cancer 20 Times
(March 4) - A British woman says her ovarian cancer was misdiagnosed even after she visited her doctor 20 times complaining of symptoms ranging from severe stomach pain to loss of bladder control, according to London’s Daily Mail.
One simple test would have found that Sue Edwards, of
Experts say about a third of women with ovarian cancer have a mass that would be easily detectable by a pelvic exam. Over the period of a year, Edwards said she suffered from a range of symptoms that included fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, swelling, exhaustion and loss of bladder control. She went to see her doctor on 20 different occasions, but was told the symptoms were likely due to sinus infection and the fact she was overweight, the Daily Mail said.
The mass was only caught when a student doctor asked if she could examine Edwards as part of her training — and felt the large mass. The student doctor sent Edwards straight to the hospital. A few days later, the mass was removed. Tests found the growth was cancerous, but luckily, the cancer had not spread to other organs. The Mail said Edwards’ cancer is in remission following 4 1/2 months of chemotherapy.
“I am hopeful, but realistic about my chances of long-term survival,” she told the newspaper.
Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the
Early detection of ovarian cancer offers a 90 percent cure rate, but about 75 percent of ovarian cancer cases will have spread to the abdomen by the time they are detected. In those cases, the chance of five-year survival drops to less than 25 percent. In addition to a pelvic exam, a blood test or ultrasound scan also can help detect the cancer early.
Monday, March 9, 2009
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Join Team NCCS in New York City!
NCCS is building a team to walk or run in the annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women, one of the nation’s largest 5K fundraising events. Money raised at this event helps fund important research into the cause and cure of women's cancers, prevention, education and support service programs.
Join Team NCCS in New York City on Saturday, May 2, by registering for the Run/Walk or by volunteering to help us at the event. If you can’t attend, show your support by making a donation!
New Survivorship Program Offers Follow-Up Care Plans
NCCS is proud to be part of a new program providing tools and resources that pave the way for survivors and their physicians to build individualized plans of follow-up care after cancer treatment.
Journey Forward, a combined effort of NCCS, WellPoint, Inc., the UCLA Cancer Survivorship Center and Genentech launched in February 2009 in five pilot states for survivors of breast and colon cancers and will later include plans for survivors of other cancer types throughout the country.
Integrative Medicine Starts with the Empowered Patient
Last week, hundreds of key leaders in healthcare engaged in a national conversation about integrative medicine at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public. NCCS’s Acting President & CEO, Ellen Stovall, participated in a discussion panel with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Kaiser Permanente CEO George Halvorson, and AARP CEO William Novelli. Stovall emphasized the need for patients to be good self-advocates. Learn more about the summit.
Spotlight on Cancer Survivor, Rob Read
Last month Rob Read, a 27-year, two-time cancer survivor, participated in an honorary Breakaway Mile bike ride in his hometown of Santa Rosa, Calif. The ride, which is part of the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, (a complementary component of the Amgen Tour of California cycling race that raises awareness about the free resources and programs available to cancer survivors and their loved ones) celebrates a survivor and the support team that helped through his or her cancer journey. Rob was joined by his parents and friends in this fun and inspiring event that took place during Stage One of the Amgen Tour of California, just moments before professional cyclists including Lance Armstrong crossed the finish line. Thanks to Rob for sharing the story of his incredible cancer journey with the crowd in Santa Rosa!
CancerCare Telephone Workshops
Coping with cancer can be difficult and affect life in ways you never imagined. CancerCare partners with NCCS and other organizations to bring you free, informative telephone workshops addressing a wide range of these issues. Workshops coming up in the next few weeks include:
- March 5, 2009: Coping with Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know
- March 12, 2009: Balancing Cancer and Careers: Living and Working with Cancer
- April 14, 2009: The Seventh Annual Cancer Survivorship Series: Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer, Part I: Managing the Stress of Survivorship.
Cancer Survival Toolbox Series: Finding Information
Every person, regardless of the type of cancer they have or the treatment they choose, needs certain, basic information. The need for good information continues after treatment starts and even after it ends. Information is not only helpful for making educated decisions, but it can also be a source of comfort; easing doubt, fear, worry and stress. Good information can help you understand your kind of cancer and its treatment, how to pick the experts you respect and trust to be part of your healthcare team, and much more. The Finding Information module will teach you basic skills to help you determine which resources might be useful to you or your loved one during this difficult time.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Actors Fund
Join The Women in the Biz May 2nd
As We Walk to Fight Women's Cancers!
Join The Women in the Biz and people from all corners of the entertainment world on Saturday, May 2nd, as part of The Actors Fund (Team 23) at the 12th Annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women and support The Fund’s Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative (PNWHI), created to address the myriad of concerns women face when dealing with a serious medical condition!
See you May 2nd for a great event and a great cause!
Photo Credit: Tracey Huffman
The Actors Fund Women in the Biz NYC - Leadership Committee 2009
Lynn Redgrave: Trustee, The Actors Fund
Barbara Davis: Deputy Executive Director, The Actors Fund
Nina Lannan: General Manager, Nina Lannan & Associates
Lynne Meadow: Artistic Director, Manhattan Theatre Club
Phyllis Newman: Trustee, The Actors Fund
Wendy Orshan: General Manager, 101 Productions
Kathleen Raitt: Vice President-Corporate Relations, Nederlander Producing Company of America, Inc.
Roberta Reardon: National President, AFTRA
Kate Shindle: Actor, Actors’ Equity Council Member
Jae Je Simmons: New York Division Executive Director, Screen Actors Guild
Charlotte St. Martin: Executive Director, The Broadway League
Abbie Strassler: Broadway General Manager
Click here to register for Actors Fund Team 23
Click here to volunteer for Actors Fund Team 23
NOTE: When signing up to volunteer for The Actors Fund team 23, turn off your “pop-up” blocker and select team 23 under team number. Then hit “tab,” and The Actors Fund will pop up as your team. Then select “The Actors Fund” from the pull down menu under “Group/Organization,” but DO NOT select a job assignment. The assignment for The Fund is pre–selected for you.
Questions? Please contact:
David Engelman, Manager, Special Events
The Actors Fund
212.221.7300 ext.134 or dengelman@actorsfund.org
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Please watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D_5tXybj-E
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is not a new type of breast cancer, but it is very important to distinguish IBC from other types of breast cancer because there are major differences in its symptoms, prognosis, and treatment.
"Inflammatory" or "inflammation" refers to changes in the body's tissues that can be caused by injury, irritation, or infection. This reaction typically involves redness, warmth, and swelling in the involved parts of the body. These symptoms are caused by increased blood flow and the buildup of white blood cells.
Common signs and symptoms of IBC can include: www.cancer.org
- breast swelling, which is usually sudden with one breast much larger than the other
- itching
- a pink, red, or dark colored area, sometimes with a texture like the skin of an orange
- ridges and thickened areas of the skin
- breast feeling warm to the touch
- nipple retraction
- breast pain
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Tell Us Your Story- Why do you walk?
Many of you have appeared on our website and in brochures, posters, and several of our other print materials. This year is no different. However, we would also like to offer you the opportunity to share your personal stories.
Every year a photo with an accompanying story is chosen to appear on the cover of the EIF Revlon Run/Walk brochure. Additionally, we will be featuring your personal stories in our e-mail newsletters. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your stories (with the subject line “Why I Walk”) along with a photograph via email to: info@revlonrunwalk.com or by mail to P.O. Box 582, Orange, CT 06477. If you have any questions, you can reach the NYC event hotline at 212-379-3199.
We also encourage you to post your story right here on our message board, where you can leave uplifting comments, interact with and get to know your fellow participants. We rely on each and every one of you to help us tell the stories that make this event so very special!
Every year a photo with an accompanying story is chosen to appear on the cover of the EIF Revlon Run/Walk brochure. Additionally, we will be featuring your personal stories in our e-mail newsletters. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your stories (with the subject line “Why I Walk”) along with a photograph via email to: info@revlonrunwalk.com or by mail to P.O. Box 582, Orange, CT 06477. If you have any questions, you can reach the NYC event hotline at 212-379-3199.
We also encourage you to post your story right here on our message board, where you can leave uplifting comments, interact with and get to know your fellow participants. We rely on each and every one of you to help us tell the stories that make this event so very special!
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