Breast Cancer Resources
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the American Cancer Society, since 1990 more women have been surviving breast cancer, largely because of early detection through mammography and improvements in treatment.
We put together the following information to help you learn more about a disease that is expected to kill 40,170 women this year in the U.S. (American Cancer Society)
1) Info on treatment options, clinical trials, support groups, etc. from leading health organizations:
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Mayo Clinic
2) Article: "Protect Yourself from Breast Cancer"
3) Ways to support research: 101 Ways to Shop Pink
4) How to know which companies really contribute to breast cancer causes: Think Before You Pink
5) Gifts for those undergoing treatment for breast cancer (a note from Heidi, VP - Customer Relations/Editor)
Of my three sisters, my younger sister, Anna, is by far the healthiest: super fit, runs in races, eats right, doesn't smoke, etc. She, however, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year (found through her yearly mammogram, so get yours!).
Thankfully, Anna is doing great now but underwent chemo and radiation. I wanted to send her a care package as she started her treatments, but couldn't find a comprehensive list of appropriate items. I found ideas in various places and ended up with this list (with additions by Anna):
- Book: Just Get Me Through This: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer by Deborah Cohen
(Anna continues to recommend this book to those recently diagnosed) - Ginger candies or anything gingery for nausea
- A nice throw blanket
- A gift certificate for a head covering ( like the BeauBeau at 4Women.com )
- A small notebook for making notes at doctor's visits
- A weekly pill dispenser
- A stuffed animal
- Crossword puzzles
- Mild herbal tea and a nice mug
- Hard candies to help with dry mouth
- Satin pillowcase(s)
- Journal
- Mild tooth paste
- Spearmint chewing gum
- Lip balm ( no strong smell )
- Moisturizing mouth spray ( to help with dry mouth )
- Water bottle (need to drink a lot of water during chemo -Anna added True Lemon to improve the taste of her water!) And make sure if plastic it's BPA free.
- Unscented lotions, soaps and deodorant (no strong smells)
- Relaxing music (up to the taste of the individual but could range from Bach's The Complete Brandenburg Concertos to music featuring sounds from nature to Nirvana)
- Anything else that will be uniquely special to the person you care about
