Patient Information Resource
These national organizations provide breast cancer information, counseling, publications, advocacy, support and referral services.
American Cancer Society
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org
Website and phone line provide information on cancer treatment, early detection, prevention and online services available to cancer patients and their families.
ACS - Reach to Recovery
203-563-0740
Wilton, CT
ACS offers support services.
Association of Cancer Online Resources
www.acor.org
The Association provides information and support to cancer patients and those who take care of them through the creation and maintenance of cancer-related Internet mailing lists, web-based resources, an email forum and a discussion group.
Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital Clinical Research
ClinicalTrials.gov - Information on Clinical Trials and Human Research Studies
Dana Farber Cancer Institue Clinical Research
Memorial Sloan-Kettering - Breast Cancer Our Clinical Trials
New York-Presbyterian Hospital Cancer Centers Clincal Research
NIH Clinical Center
Norwalk Hospital - List of Clinical Research Trials Available
St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Clinical Research
Yale Cancer Center Clinical Trials and Protocols
Breast cancer patients and their families are often interested in finding out about breast cancer clinical trials. The Breast Cancer Alliance Medical Advisory board has put together a list of websites lisitng breast cancer clinical trials at major institutions in the region and locally. The Alliance does not endorse any of these trials; we simply provide this list as a service. Any patient who wishes to participate in clinical trials should discuss that with her doctor.
Breast Cancer -- the Notebook
www.breastcancer-thenotebook.com
Greenwich resident Julia Chiapetta's survival guide for women diagnosed with breast cancer, Breast Cancer – the notebook, helps women navigate through this confusing and emotionally challenging time. Its purpose is to help readers sort through the myriad information and options that will confront them. Check out Julia’s book and the new foundation she is creating at www.breastcancer-thenotebook.com.
Cancer Care Inc.
800-813-4673
www.cancercare.org
Cancer Care provides free counseling and emotional support, information on medical care and treatment, and help with financial aspects of care; this includes referral to online, telephone and in-person assistance.
Cancer Care of Connecticut
203-854-9911
120 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
Cancer Care of Westchester
914-421-1667
The Cancer Support Team
914-777-2777
102 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
www.cancersupportteam.com
The Cancer Support Team provides free, comprehensive support services for individuals and families living with cancer in Westchester County, NY.
Center for Hope
203-655-4693
203-655-3452 (fax)
590 Post Road, Darien, CT, 06820
www.centerforhope.org
The Center helps adults and children living with a life-threatening illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. It offers professional counseling, support and educational programs in an atmosphere of hope and renewal.
EmergingMed.com
www.emergingmed.com
EmergingMed.com is a free and confidential cancer clinical trial matching and referral service.
Encore Plus of the YWCA of the USA
800-953-7587
www.ywca.org
ENCORE, the YWCA's discussion and exercise program for women who have had breast cancer surgery, is held at local branches of the YWCA.
FacingOurRisk.org
954-255-8732
www.facingourrisk.org
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) is a nonprofit organization for women who are at high risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers due to their family history and genetic status, and for members of families in which a BRCA mutation may be present. Our web site can be a helpful resource for anyone who knows she is at risk, who wonders whether she might be at risk, or who cares about the issues and concerns that we face. Contact: Sue Friedman at 954-255-8732 or suefriedman@facingourrisk.org
Gilda's Club
212-647-9700
www.gildasclub.org
This free, non-profit program offers networking groups, lectures and workshops and social activities for people with cancer and friends at twenty-seven locations.
Greenwich Hospital
203-863-3704
www.greenhosp.org/programs_oncology.asp#breasted
Greenwich Hospital’s website provides information about local programs and support groups.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
877-786-7422
www.ibcresearch.org
The IBC Research Foundation specifically targets IBC and the research to find its cause.
The LGBT Cancer Project
212-675-2633
Liz Margolies, LCSW, Executive Director
www.thelgbtcancerproject.org
The country's first program for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cancer survivors and those at risk offers information and advocacy for survivors and education on LGBT psychosocial issues for health care providers.
Stamford Health System
877-455-4437
www.stamfordhospital.org
Stamford Hospital's Women's Breast Center offers state-of-the-art technology and a warm, personalized approach to breast health.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
800-462-9273
www.komen.org
The Komen Foundation funds breast cancer research, screening and treatment. Its web site includes information on early detection, treatment and services as well as the Foundation’s activities.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
www.lbbc.org
On this site you will find current and past issues of this organization’s newsletter, transcripts of past educational programs and information about a toll-free survivors’ helpline (888-753-5222), which is staffed by breast cancer survivors. There is also information about a young survivors’ network.
Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
This site provided by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research includes a detailed “Spotlight” section on breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute
800-422-6237
www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov
www.cancer.gov
NCI, a federal government agency which is the largest division of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research, training, dissemination of health information and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer and the continuing care of cancer patients and their families. The websites and phone line provide information on all of these aspects. Also featured on the NCI site is the cancer information service which seeks to interpret and explain research findings in a clear and understandable manner. Up-to-date information on clinical trials also can be found at www.cancertrials.nci.nih.gov.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
877-622-7937
www.canceradvocacy.org
NCCS is a national advocacy group for people with all types of cancer and those who care for them. The site has hotlinks, legislative news and information on clinical trials.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
888-909-6226
www.nccn.org
NCCN, which works in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, is a coalition of 17 comprehensive cancer centers with regularly updated guidelines for cancer. It also provides breast cancer treatment guidelines.
National Lymphedema Network
800-541-3259
www.lymphnet.org
The Network provides information on the prevention and management of lymphedema, a chronic condition which can develop as a result of treatment for breast cancer. Included are listings of treatment centers, therapists and support groups.
OncoLink
www.oncolink.upenn.edu
A service from the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center providing information, updates on treatment and news on research advances. Also offers online support and discussions groups and book reviews.
People Living With Cancer
www.peoplelivingwithcancer.org
People Living With Cancer is the patient information website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and provides oncologist-approved information on more than 50 types of cancer and their treatments, clinical trials, coping, and side effects. Additional resources include a Find an Oncologist database, live chats, message boards, a drug database, and links to patient support organizations. The site is designed to help people with cancer make informed health-care decisions.
podcastGOHealth: Cancer 101
www.podcastgo.com
This series of five free podcasts is designed to help answer questions for newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients.
SHARE: self-help for women with breast or ovarian cancer
212-719-0364 or 866-891-2392
www.sharecancersupport.org
SHARE provides information hotlines in English and Spanish, peer-led support groups, public education, and advocacy and wellness programs.
Sisters Network, Inc
713-781-255
www.sistersnetworkinc.org
Sisters Network is a national African-American breast cancer survivors organization which provides support networks and cancer prevention programs.
The Sister Study
www.sisterstudy.org
The Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35 to 74 whose sister had breast cancer. It is a national study to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. In the next 3 years, 50,000 women whose sister had breast cancer, and who do not have breast cancer themselves will be asked to join the study.
Susan Love, MD
www.susanlovemd.com
Susanlovemd.com welcomes all concerned about breast cancer and mid-life issues.
The Witness Project
203-367-4432
This organization recruits and trains African-American breast and cervical cancer survivors to become witness role models. These witness role models provide culturally appropriate educational and empowerment messages in sessions at African-American churches and community centers to promote the practice of breast self-examination, mammography, clinical breast examination and pap test screening.
BreastCancer.org
www.breastcancer.org
This site is dedicated to bringing its users reliable, complete and up-to-date medical and personal information about breast cancer. Of special note is its online booklet “Understanding Your Pathology Report.”
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
800-221-2141 or 800-986-9505 for Spanish
www.y-me.org
Y-Me’s trained counselors, all of whom have had breast cancer, provide information and support, as well as access to a variety of resources. Y-Me attempts to match callers by diagnosis and treatment type.
Young Survival
www.youngsurvival.org
www.pink-link.org together we can help each other!
www.teamtowanda.org visit this site for lighthearted encouragement and support.
Supply Resource
The following shops and sources offer underwear, prostheses and bathing suits for women who have had mastectomies.
American Cancer Society – TLC catalog
800-850-9445
Boutique, Evelyn Lauder Breast Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital
203 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021
212-639-5330
Dorothy Stein
707 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-6112
AND
111 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
914-666-6475
JC Penney Catalog (bathing suits only)
800-932-4115
Land’s End Catalog (bathing suits only)
800-356-4444
My Secret
41 West 86th Street, New York, NY 10024
212-877-8860 or 800-579-5389
Necessities, Inc.
www.necessitiesbag.org
A shopping bag of information and post-operative supplies given free of charge to breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Nordstrom at the Westchester
White Plains, NY 10601
914-946-1122
Nordstrom at the Westfarms
Farmington, CT 06032
860-521-9090
Saxon Kent
733 Summer Street, Suite 103, Stamford, CT 10583
203-325-4720
Soleil Toile/ Lynore
24 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
203-454-8688
The following shops and sources offer wigs, turbans, and hats for women undergoing chemotherapy.
Adam & Eve
Scarsdale, NY
914-723-0034
Allura
23 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
203-869-1234
Barry Hendrickson’s Bitz-n-Pieces
1841 Broadway at West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023
212-397-0711
Fordham Wigs of Westchester / Ed
271 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-576-1636
Look Good, Feel Better
800-227-2345
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
Program includes workshops designed to help cancer patients look and feel their best while being treated.
MegaHairSystems International
Greenwich, CT
203-861-4134
Noble Salon
848 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
203-322-8483
www.noblesalon.com
Noelle, The Day Spa
1100 High Ridge road, Stamford, CT 06905
203-322-3445
www.noelle.com
Books
Coping with Breast Cancer, Robert H. Phillips, Ph.D., Paula Goldstein, CSW, Avery Publishing Group, 1998
The Unofficial Guide to Surviving Breast Cancer, Stacie Zoe Berg, Richard Theriault, Hungry Minds, Inc., 1999
Just Get Me Through This!: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer, Deborah A. Cohen, Robert M. Gelfand, MD, Kensington Pub. Corp., 2000
I Flunked My Mammogram!, Ernie Bodai, M.D. Copies can be obtained free of charge by calling 1-888-371-1800
The Feisty Woman’s Breast Cancer Book, Elaine Ratner, Hunter House Publishing, 1999
Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors, Barbara Delisnky, Pocket Books, 2001
Cancer Survival Cookbook: 200 Quick and Easy Recipes, Donna L. Weihofen, RN, MS, John Wiley & Sons., 1997
Helping Your Mate Face Breast Cancer: Tips for Becoming an Effective Support Partner, Judy C. Kneece, RN, OCN, Paperback, 2001
Before You…There Was Me…, Dorothy A. Geary, Duck Trap Press, 2000
The Cancer Recovery Plan, D. Barry Boyd, MD and Marian Betancourt, Avery, 2005
Prayer, Laughter and Broccoli-Being there when your wife has Breast Cancer, Peter Flierl, Amazon.com
Books for Children
Once Upon A Hopeful Night, Risa Sacks Yaffe, Oncology Nursing Press, Inc., 1998
What Is Cancer Anyway? Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages, (Barclay and Eve Series, Book 5) Karen L. Carney, Mass Market Paperback, Dragonfly Pub., 1998
Paper Chain, Claire Blake, Eliza Blanchard, Kathy Parkinson, Elizabeth Murphy-Melas, Health Press., 1998
Our Mom Has Cancer, Abigail and Adrienne Ackermann, American Cancer Society, 2001
When Mommy Had a Mastectomy, Nancy Reuben Greenfield, Bartleby Press, 2005
