BREAST CANCER RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Check Out These Websites!
Cornell
Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors
American
Cancer Society
The
Breast Cancer Fund
Breast
Cancer Action
California
Cancer Registry
Zero
Breast Cancer
National
Cancer Institute
Cancer
Prevention Institute of California
Silent
Spring Institute
To
Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation
Marin
Cancer Institute at Marin General Hospital
Marin
Cancer Project
Charlotte
Maxwell Clinic
Where To Call for a Breast Exam or Mammogram:
- Contact a private health care provider.
- Call: 1-800-511-2300.
- Low cost mammography days occur throughout the year in Marin County. Contact Kaiser Permanente, the Marin BREAST Center, or Novato Community Hospital.
Breast
Cancer Reference Library of Marin County Free Libraries
The Breast Cancer Reference Center (BCRC)
of the West Marin Libraries provides information about breast
cancer and breast health in English and Spanish. The BCRC is
a collection of books and videos that will rotate throughout
the West Marin libraries and is available to all Marin County
Free Library users. Check out a book or video from any county
library.
Are There Practical Steps I Can Take?
Screening:
The American Cancer Society suggest the following guidelines:
- Breast Self-Exam every month.
- Clinical Breast Exam every 3 years for women 20-39 years of age, and annually beginning at age 40.
- Mammogram every year beginning at age 40.
Women can also watch for changes that may be early warning signs of cancer, such as a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area, a change in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or tenderness, or the nipple pulled back (inverted) into the breast.
Lifestyle:
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Maintain a healthy weight and a diet high in vegetables and fruits.
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, less than one a day.
- Consult your doctor about the risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy
What Can I Do for Someone Who has Breast Cancer?
- Listen with an open heart. People need to tell their story, to verbalize their fears, to vent their anger. Sometimes telling the story can begin the healing process and clarify a plan.
- Be the friend you've always been-call your friend or family member, go on outings or for a walk.
- Refrain from giving unsolicited advice.
- Support the choices your friend makes for treatment.
- Offer to give rides to appointments or treatments.
- Listen and take notes at the appointments.
Ask what your friend needs and respect those requests. Sometimes it may be help with daily activities, child care, meal preparation or running errands. Other times it may be solitude or a supporting, loving embrace.
