Resources for Young Women with Breast CancerBooks B.O.O.B.S.: A Bunch of Outrageous Breast-Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories of Courage, Hope and Healing By Ann Kempner Fisher Ten courageous women, brought together by The Wellness Community, a program offering free counseling to breast cancer patients and their loved ones, share their personal experiences from shocking diagnosis to surgery and beyond. Can be found in most online bookstores. Cumberland House (2006) A Young Woman’s Story of Love, Loss and Breast Cancer At 25, just before her second wedding anniversary, Cathy's high school sweetheart died in a tragic car accident. She wasn't sure how she would go on living. At the time, she was certain it was her last chance at love. A few years later, as Cathy took her first tentative steps into New York City's dating world, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For most, a cancer diagnosis would put dating on the back burner but Cathy refused to waste a second of her life. This honest, humorous and heartwarming journey to heal her body-and her heart-will inspire you to live every day to the fullest. Kaplan Publishing (2009) Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer Survivors includes 36 contributions from Ottawa cancer survivors, including Frank Hegyi, Roslyn Franken, Max Keeping and Jacquelin Holzman. The 4 authors and 32 cancer survivors decided to share their stories in an effort to provide moral support to newly diagnosed cancer patients while they are fighting their courageous battle and to raise money for cancer research. Publisher: Frank Hegyi Publications (November 2009) By Beth Murphy, Ann Curry Fighting for Our Future is the a comprehensive "survival guide" for young women living with breast cancer, their families, those who care for them, and young women with a family history of cancer who need to be aware of their risks. The book provides a close look at issues such as fertility, pregnancy, and breast-feeding; effects of treatment on an active lifestyle; and sexuality and dating. McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 9, 2002) I'm Too Young to Have Breast Cancer: Regain Control of Your Life, Career, Family, Sexuality and Faith By Beth Hawkins Never Too Young: Psychosocial Information and Support for Young Women with Breast Cancer With your diagnosis of breast cancer, you have entered into a new phase of your life, one that brings with it many new questions and concerns. Remember that you are not alone. In 2001, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that 23% of women with breast cancer were under the age of 50.3 This is a large group of women, yet one that often lacks recognition within the healthcare system. Many young women diagnosed with breast cancer feel that their issues are not being dealt with, as the majority of resources are developed for older women. You may feel the same. We hope that this handbook will provide you with an understanding of psychosocial issues commonly faced by young survivors, and help you feel in control of your diagnosis, treatment and recovery. If you are not familiar with the term “psychosocial,” the word is used to describe the relationship between your personal, internal environment, and the wider social world; that is, the influence of social factors on an individual’s mind or behaviour or, simply put, what happens and how it makes you feel and act. These issues often fall outside of direct medical care like treatment plans, surgeries or medications. Psychosocial issues can affect every part of your life, and can impact you as much as medical ones. In this handbook, we will talk about 16 main topics, each of which could have a major psychosocial impact on your life. They are listed somewhat in order, although every woman’s experience is unique and yours may follow a different path. You may choose to read these sections in order or to read only the ones you feel apply to you at this time. We hope that the information and resources presented in these sections help you feel prepared to face the psychosocial issues that come with a breast cancer diagnosis, and that the handbook itself offers useful information to help you cope with them. Click here to download the PDF version of this handbook. To order a free hard copy of this handbook from CBCN please contact Rebecca Wilson at rwilson@cbcn.ca or 1-800-685-8820 The Breast Site BookstoreThe Breast Site Bookstore provides an extensive list of books on the topics of breast health, breast cancer, breast surgery, breastfeeding and more. Website: http://www.thebreastsite.com/bookstore/breast-books.aspx The Immune SpiritBy Susan Ryan Jordan On the brink of her fortieth birthday, Susan Ryan Jordan heard the dreaded words "You have breast cancer." In shock over what she thought was a certain death sentence, Jordan began to read a book her doctor, the now famous Bernie Siegel, gave to her, which challenged cancer patients to heal themselves...Jordan’s beautifully written and very poignant personal account reveals how changing negative feelings to hope and confidence can, indeed, reverse the course of a disease-even cancer. Health Communications, Inc. (2001) What's Next? A Young Woman's Post-Treatment Navigator The Young Survival Coalition's "What's Next? A Young Woman's Post-Treatment Navigator" is a comprehensive guidebook for women who have finished breast cancer treatment. The guide covers topics such as what to expect from long-term side effects like chemobrain, sex and intimacy, fertility issues and lymphedema. It also explores how to approach nutrition and exercise, understand your emotions, and manage your career and finances after treatment ends. This navigator includes worksheets so you can document your treatment summary and create a survivorship care plan. To download a .pdf copy or order a FREE print copy click here. Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy By Geralyn Lucas Online Breast Cancer Network Australia (Australia) Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) was officially launched in October 1998 and is the national voice of Australians personally affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Network of Strength (U.S.) Breast Cancer Network of Strength and its network of affiliates provide information and support to anyone touched by breast cancer. They provide information, peer support, and peer match programs for both survivors and their partners. They also provide wigs, prostheses and mastectomy bras for women with limited resources. Breast cancer now what? Breast cancer now what? was developed by young women with breast cancer, for young women with breast cancer, to provide information, support, inspiration, hope, and a sense of community. On this website, find discussion boards, real-time peer chats, special guest chats and an online support group — all geared to young women living with breast cancer. CancerChatCanada CancerChatCanada is a professionally-led online support for Canadians affected by Cancer, visit them at http://www.cancerchatcanada.ca/ A new national study of support for young women survivors of breast cancer has begun in January 2011 and will be enrolling participants through the Fall of 2012. In this randomized control trial we are testing the effectiveness of educational support and professional or peer-led online support groups. Everyone who takes part in this study will receive a free workbook that gives information about coping after cancer and a relaxation CD. Register today at CancerChatCanada.ca or call us at 1-800-663-3333 ext 4965. To be eligible, you must be under 46 years old, not more than 3 years past your last treatment date and be able to speak and write in English. The Principal Investigator for this study is Dr. Joanne Stephen (1-800-663-3333 ext. 4960) at the Cedars is a free service offering confidential employment and counselling support to young women with breast cancer. Services are offered face-to-face or using skype, telephone or email, depending on client preferences, geographic location, or mobility issues. This program is generously funded by a grant from Rethink Breast Cancer. Website: http://www.soleilcounselling.ca Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA) Based in Boston Massachusetts, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute offers a program for young women with breast cancer. They also publish Young & Strong, a newsletter for and about young women with breast cancer. Living Beyond Breast Cancer - Young Women (U.S.) LBBC is an American education and support organization who aims to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Sharsheret (U.S.) Sharsheret provides culturally sensitive support to young Jewish women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer as well as to those facing the risk of developing breast cancer, and offers related resources for Jewish communities and health care organizations. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center website offers a range of breast cancer related resources, including a podcast titled Breast Cancer in Younger Patients which looks at the special concerns of patients diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 45. Included on the podcast are interviews with Dr. Karin Hahn (faculty at M. D. Anderson and medical director of the Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Program) and Anita Broxson (director of Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Program). Vital Options International (Los Angeles, CA) Vital Options International is a not-for-profit cancer communications, support, and advocacy organization with a mission to facilitate a global cancer dialogue. It was founded in 1983 by Selma Schimmel when she was diagnosed at 28 with breast cancer. Young Female Smokers at Higher Breast Cancer Risk This article on the Medical News Today website summarizes a study undertaken at the Mayo clinic. The study found that women who smoke before the birth of their first child have a 20% greater risk of developing breast cancer. Younger Women's Forum (UK) Younger women’s forums are two-day residential events for up to 40 women from across the UK to meet and share their experiences of breast cancer. They are offered by Breast Cancer Care as part of their services for younger women with breast cancer. Other services include online support, information for younger women with breast cancer and a helpline. |
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Last updated: December 10, 2012 |
