Breast Cancer DIY

...created by women with breast cancer, for women and men with breast cancer!

Diagnosis - Treatment - Coping

    Diagnosis and Tests
    Treatment and Care
    Living and Coping 
    Articles and Videos at end of each section

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Diagnosis and Tests

We cannot stress strongly enough, that early detection can be a big plus in treating breast cancer. 

Are you due for a mammogram? Please make your appointment now.


Diagnosis

Not all medical institutions, or advocacy groups, agree on when women should start regular breast cancer screening: mammograms.  As research evolves, the age of early detection changes, too.  We have provided some very interesting websites to help you with this decision.  But whatever your decision, it is very important that you have your regular mammograms!



Breast Cancer Screening:

 Monthly breast breast self-examination starting at age 20. 

 Breast examination by a health-care provider every three years starting at age 20; annual clinical breast exam starting at age 40. 

 Annual screening mammography starting at age 40. Women in high-risk categories may want to consider starting screening at age 30.

 Something New:   Thermal Imaging:  Northern Arizona Thermal Imaging

California Residents:
Every Woman Counts Program
(free Breast & Cervical exams for those that qualify):
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cancerdetection/Pages/default.aspx
or call:  1-800-511-2300

No Services in your area? 
Try searching the internet for "Mobile Mammograms" also
"Mobile Mammograms (type in your area/state)"  to find more information.

 Articles of Interest:

  >   "Triple-Negative" Patients Are Biggest Unmet Need in Metastatic Breast Cancer"
  >  Also, Breastcancer.org: transcript of online conference: 
     
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  >  Breast Cancer: How Tumor Cells Break Free And Form Metastases:
     
plus Illustration:  Science Daily
      http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080704110455.htm
  >  Breast Biopsy:  WebMD
      http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-biopsy?ecd=wnl_brc_030309


   VIDEO:
     Medical News Today



Click Here For More Information on Diagnosis and Tests


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Treatment and Care:

The two major goals of breast cancer treatment are:

1) To rid the body of the cancer as completely as possible.

2) To prevent cancer from returning.


What Determines Your Treatment:

Your cancer specialist will recommend the type of treatment for you depending on:

     > The location and size of the tumor in your breast.
     >  Results of lab tests done on the cancerous cells
     > The extent or stage of your cancer.

It should be noted that your doctor will consider your age and general health, and also your feeling about your treatment options.

Be sure to discuss your treatment options with your cancer specialist.

 Articles of Interest:
    Breast Cancer Network of Strength
     “Dealing with Side Effects of Treatment Now and Later”
   > PEPI Score: 
     
New Predictive Tool Can Help Determine Treatment Of Breast Cancer Patients
     http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923164642.htm

   >  Treatments by Breast Cancer Stages:  WebMD      http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/treatments-stage?ecd=wnl_brc_052609&em=YnJlYXN0Y2FuY2VyZGl5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==
 Cosmetic Procedures: Breast Reconstruction: WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-breast-reconstruction?ecd=wnl_brc_092909

   VIDEO:
     Medical News Today

Click Here For More Information on Treatment and Care


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Living and Coping

Coping with the Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence:
Are you done with breast cancer treatment? You may be ready to create a “new normal” for life.  For more information, please see Resources & LinksCoping

Managing Cancer Fatigue and Depression: 
Fatigue is common with cancer and cancer treatment. For more information, please see Resources & LinksCoping

Breast Reconstruction Surgery Information: 
After mastectomy, doctors can sculpt (create) a new breast. It is a patient's personal choice to get breast resconstruction surgery. 

 For more information, please see Resources & LinksSurgery& Reconstruction

Dental: Take Care of Your Teeth:
For more information, please see Resources & Links Dentist

Mouth Sores - Oral Mucositis:  

A new website designed to provide information and advice for cancer therapy patients about how to prevent and treat the common and often debilitating side effect that is Oral Mucositis (Mouth Sores)    Chemotherapy

http://www.mouthsmadegood.com      

Diabetes and Breast Cancer:

Adjusting your treatments:  Diabetes

Fashion After Mastectomy Surgery: 
Designers are making many pretty fashions for women who have had mstectomies: bras, swimsuits, and casual, as well as evening wear. For more information, please see Resources & LinksMastectomy - Fashion

Friend or Relative with Breast Cancer and what you need to know:
Do you have a friend or relative with breast cancer?  For more information, please see Resources & LinksCaregivers, and Coping, and Relationships, and Resources

Making Sense of New Breast Cancer Research and Clinical Trials: 
If you have breast cancer now or have had it in the past, you may wonder how new breast cancer findings affect you.  For more information, please see Resources and LinksClinical Trials

Marriage, Dating, Sexuality and Breast Cancer:
For more information, please see Resources and LinksRelationships and Pregnancy/Sexuality

Nutrition and Exercise During Breast Cancer Treatment:
What should you eat during breast cancer treatment? Can you work out if you feel like it?  Check with your doctors because every person is different. For more information, please see Resources and Links Nutrition and Exercise

Male Breast Cancer:

For more information, please see Resources & Links:  Male Breast Cancer

Living After Breast Cancer Treatment Ends:
Are you done with breast cancer treatment?  For more information, please see Resources & Links: Treatments & Care



You will find the following information at Resources & Links

Coping with the Diagnosis

Choosing Life

Fatigue

Quality of Life

Keeping You Faith

Living + Managing

Living with Breast Cancer

Not Facing this Alone

Raising a Family

Recurrence Fear

Self Care Tips

Support

Taking Time for Yourself

Articles of Interest to Read

 Article of Interest:
    >  Breast Cancer and 9/11: Moves woman from Zombie to Warrior
        http://www.kitv.com/breastcancer/16377238/detail.html
    >  Creating a Support Network: Breast Cancer Network of Strength
        http://www.networkofstrength.org/support/relationships/network.php
    >  I Can Cope: American Cancer Society
        http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_3_1X_I_Can_Cope.asp

    >  Depression Slideshow:  WebMD  
         http://www.webmd.com/depression/slideshow-depression-overview?ecd=wnl_brc_051209&em=YnJlYXN0Y2FuY2VyZGl5QGdtYWlsLmNvbQ== 

    VIDEO:
    Inspiring Personal Journey:  Shin Na
    http://shinscancerblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-documentary-video.html


Click Here For More Information on Coping


 

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