 Breast Cancer Options
RESOURCES & LINKS
RESOURCE GUIDE: Breast Cancer Options has a free pocket sized resource guide available with
both Hudson Valley and National support, educational, advocacy, financial, legal and other services.
ONLINE RESOURCE GUIDE
The guide is designed to give you the information you need to make informed healthcare decisions
at a stressful time in your life. The contents of this booklet are not meant to constitute medical advice
or replace the care of a qualified physician or other care provider. We are putting Chapters 1-3 on the
website and will add chapters in the near future.The information will be updated from time to time.
For more recent information please sign up for our weekly news updates, BCO News or contact us.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the chapters.
PART ONE: MAKING DECISIONS (click here)
- I’ve been diagnosed with cancer…What do I do?
- The importance of making an informed decision
- What should I do first?
- Getting Organized
- What Is Breast Cancer?
- What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
- How is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
PART THREE: TREATMENTS (click here)
- Deciding on treatment
- Decision-making Check List
- Primary and Adjuvant Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
SURGERY
· Types of surgery
· How to choose a breast surgeon, Sheldon Feldman, MD
· Timing of Surgery
· Questions to ask your surgeon before surgery
· Questions to ask your surgeon after surgery
RADIATION-What is Radiation?
· What does radiation therapy do?
· Who receives radiation therapy?
· When Is Radiation Appropriate?
· Radiation is NOT an option if you are facing one of these situations
· Can radiation therapy be repeated?
· Types of Radiation
· Preparing for treatment
ADJUVENT THERAPY AND NEOADJUVENT THERAPY
HORMONE THERAPY
· What Are the Most Commonly Used Drugs?
· Side effects of hormone therapy
· Questions to ask your doctor about hormone therapy
HOW TO EVALUATE HEALTH/MEDICAL INFORMATION
· 'Relative Risk' vs 'Absolute Risk'
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WELLNESS PROGRAMS at OMEGA INSTITUTE, RHINEBECK NY
The United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies are proud to announce a partnership providing financial assistance to breast cancer patients and survivors so they can participate in classes, seminars, and other learning opportunities focused on holistic healing, health, and wellbeing at Omega’s Rhinebeck, New York campus.
Scholarships will be offered for weekend programs, covering tuition and room and board. Potential candidates can download an application at the UBCF web site www.ubcf.info or Omega’s website at www.eOmega.org (look under Attend) . A letter verifying health status from a doctor, two current pay stubs verifying income, and the attached completed application form should be mailed to Omega Institute, Scholarship Department, 150 Lake Drive, Rhinebeck, NY 12572-3252
SUPPORT & ADVOCACY GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS NYS
New York State Breast Cancer Network: www.nysbcsen.org
The represented groups are recognized in their communities as leaders in providing breast cancer
advocacy, education and support services and in creating awareness of environmental links to disease.
As a network we are dedicated to eradicating breast cancer in our lifetime so that our children and
grandchildren do not have to fear the breast cancer epidemic that confronts us today.
INFORMATION WEBSITES
ASSOCIATION OF CANCER ONLINE RESOURCES, INC.
www.acor.org.
Creates, produces, hosts and manages a large number of specific online resources for cancer patients, caregivers, healthcare
professionals and basic research scientists
ADVANCEDBC.ORG
www.AdvancedBC.org
Musa Mayer has been a patient advocate ever since her own diagnosis with Stage II breast cancer in 1989. Her special focus is on helping those who are living with advanced breast cancer to make good treatment decisions based on the latest clinical research. Excellent links on researching treatments and finding support.
Breast Cancer Choices, Inc: Innovative Research and Patient Advocacy. Breast Cancer Choices, Inc. is a
nonprofit organization helping patients make informed choices about breast screening, diagnostic procedures
and treatment. Every piece of information on this site has been rigorously fact-checked and documented.
BREASTPATH.COM, YOUR BREAST PATHOLOGY REPORT
www.breastpath.com
BREASTCANCER.NET
www.breastcancer.net
Archive of over 1,500 cancer-related news items. Use this site to subscribe to The Breast Cancer Net Newsletter, a free, daily synopsis of the latest in breast cancer news.
CANCERLYNX (We Prowl the Net)
www.cancerlynx.com
An online resource for cancer patients and professionals.
Cancer Consultants
www.CancerConsultants.com
Cancer Consultants has a Breast Cancer Information Center dedicated to providing comprehensive, up-to-date news, treatment information, clinical trials listings, and more for breast cancer patients.
CANCER SUPPORTIVE CARE PROGRAM (CSCP)
www.cancersupportivecare.com
Provides multidisciplinary information and services for cancer patients and their families and friends. Based on the book, Supportive Cancer Care by Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD and Isadora R. Rosenbaum, MA, Sourcebooks Inc, 2001.
CHEMOTHERAPY AND BEYOND
www.chemocare.com
Scott Hamilton’s chemotherapy site offers the latest chemo information for cancer patients and their families, caregivers and friends.
GENOMIC HEALTH
www.oncotypeDX.com This site features information on Oncotype DX™, a breast cancer test from Genomic Health that can help individualize breast cancer treatment. Oncotype DX predicts the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence in women with newly diagnosed, early stage invasive breast cancer, and assesses the benefit from certain types of chemotherapy. This information can help doctors tailor breast cancer treatment on an individual basis.
HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATION PROJECT. INC.
www.healthcp.org
An organization dedicated to improving physical and emotional outcomes of healthcare services by helping patients, their advocates and healthcare professionals become skilled in relationship building and shared decisionmaking. Covers Columbia, Dutchess, Green, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties of New York's Mid-Hudson Valley. 845/687-2328
www.her2support.org Through a team effort, this unique support group seeks to promote education by maximizing the utilization of available resources. Assist members by supporting their concerns and providing links to news and current research.
IMAGINIS
www.imaginis.net/breasthealth
An independent, comprehensive resource for news and information on breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment and related women's health topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis,and ovarian cancer. Content created by an independent team of breast health specialists to ensure it that is up-to-date and accurate.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
www.ama-assn.org
Abstracts of the Journal on women's health and other topics.
METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESOURCES
www.BCMets.org
www.AdvancedBC.org
www.BrainMetsBC.org
www.lbbc.org
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE
1-800-4-CANCER-Advice on diagnoses, treatment options, and availability of clinical trials.
CancerFax, 301-402-5874
NCI automated program faxes information on treatment guidelines, prognoses, current research and developments.
PDQ Search Service, 1-800-345-3300
Physicians Data Query database, NCI^s comprehensive cancer database, with information on treatment, supportive care,
and clinical trials around the world.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
www.nlm.nih.gov
Free access to Medline database.
THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
www.nejm.org/collections/breastcancer/TOC/l.htm
Collection of all breast cancer articles published by the Journal since 1992.
NOAH: New York Online Access to Health
www.noah-health.org/english/illness/cancer/breastcancer.html#BASICS
NOAH provides access to high quality full-text consumer health information in English and Spanish that is accurate,
timely, relevant and unbiased.
NON TOXIC HEALTH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS
LAVERA: Organic skin products-www.lavera-usa.com: 100% designed for sensitive skin, 100% pure organic plant oils, 100% organic herb and flower extracts, 100% cruelty free, 100% free from parabens and synthetic preservatives, 100% free from fragrances emulsifiers and petroleum products.Phone: 877.528.3727 Email: info@lavera-usa.com
suki:pure skin care- www.sukisnaturals.com : suki is a complete line of 100% natural skin care products that integrates the best of science with traditional knowledge in uniquely effective therapeutic treatments. all of our products are made with the highest quality clean ingredients, harvested and processed to sustain their dynamic, living elements, ensuring the highest potency and optimum results. toll free: 888.858.suki (7854)- tel: 413.584.7854 info@sukisnaturals.com
COSMETICS WITHOUT SYNTHETICS- www.allnaturalcosmetics.com: Natural makeup products including lipstick, mascara, and foundation in addition to natural skincare products including cleansers, moisturizers, and antiwrinkle products!
We have a good selection of hair and bodycare items, and even carry safe household cleaners! Our criteria for stocking natural products from different manufacturers is the following: No animal testing, No ingredients of mammal origin (non-living), No artificial preservatives, parabens), No artificial colorings (FD&C), No synthetic chemicals, No mineral oil, No pesticide or herbicide, residues, No solvents. 888.586.9719 /local phone: 928.772.0119- info@allnaturalcosmetics.com
THE WOMAN'S PERSONAL HEALTH RESOURCE
877-463-1343
We offer a comprehensive selection of mastectomy bras, mastectomy prosthesis, mastectomy swimsuits, mastectomy exercise wear, pajamas for night sweats, natural skin care, non-mastectomy bras, full figure bras as well as scarves and turbans. Our manufacturers include Amoena, Jodee, American Breast Care, Airway, Trulife, Nearly Me and others.
BOOKS & CD'S
Mitchell Gaynor, MD
Nurture Nature/Nurture Health: Your Health and Environment
New Book by Oncologist, Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, Signals How Environmental Exposures Foster Rising Rates of Disease and How Individuals Can Restore Optimum Health to Our Bodies and the Planet.Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, New York oncologist and founder of Gaynor Integrative Oncology, has now completed his fourth book, Nurture Nature/Nurture Health: Your Health and the Environment. His book not only looks at the evidence of environmental links to these health crises, but how each of us can take actions to prevent dangerous exposures and to support our environment which, in turn, balances our own health.
Underwritten by Nurture New York's Nature, Inc. (NNYN), a not-for-profit collaboration of corporations and environmental organizations in New York City, Dr. Gaynor's book is the first of its kind: A book which uses scientific research to underline the mounting evidence that links environmental exposures - whether from tobacco smoke, air pollution, ozone depletion, arsenic in drinking water or pesticides on our lawns - to increasing incidences of disease and debilitation throughout America. Nurture Nature/Nurture Health also offers Dr. Gaynor's successful nutritional program to maximize the body's immune and detoxification systems. To order: www.nurturenaturepress.com
Devra Davis
www.whensmokeranlikewater.com
When Smoke Ran Like Water: Environmental Deception and the Battles Against Pollution
In When Smoke Ran Like Water, the world renowned epidemiologist Devra Davis confronts the public triumphs and private failures of her lifelong battle against environmental pollution. By turns impassioned and analytic, she documents the shocking toll of a public health disaster--300,000 deaths a year in the U.S. and Europe from the effects of pollution— and asks why we remain silent. She shows how environmental toxins contribute to a broad spectrum of human diseases, including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and emphysema—all major killers—and in addition how these toxins affect the health and development of the heart and lungs, and even alter human reproductive capacity. But the battle against pollution is not just scientific. For Davis it’s personal: pollution is what killed much of her family and forced the others, survivors of the 1948 smog emergency in Donora, Pennsylvania, to live out their lives with damaged health. When Smoke Ran Like Water makes a devastating case that our approaches to public health need to change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Devra Davis’ work as a leading epidemiologist and researcher on the environmental causes of breast cancer and chronic disease has made her a nationally known figure. She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and an M.P.H. from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Formerly a Scholar in Residence at the National Academy of Sciences and a member of the National Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board under President Clinton, she is now a Visiting Professor of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. To Order : www.Amazon.com
Janette Sherman, MD
www.janettesherman.com
Life's Delicate Balance: Causes and Prevention of Breast Cancer
Life's Delicate Balance defines and documents known causes of breast cancer, and emphasizes the means of prevention.
Published at a critical time, this book is applicable to other cancers affecting women, men and children, and useful for all those working toward prevention of cancer. Patients, family members, environmental activists, physicians, and attorneys will find this book informative and insightful.
Chemical Exposure and Disease: Diagnostic and Investigative Techniques
Written by a physician-toxicologist after examining some 8,000 patients over a 25 year span, this book is a must for every person asking the question "Why?" Why did I get sick? Why is the cancer rate so high? Why was my child born with birth defects? Chemical Exposure and Disease provides investigative and diagnostic techniques for the lay reader as well as the medical and legal community. It is easy to understand and gives case studies for all body systems. Pesticides are covered in depth as are other inherently dangerous industries, including waste disposal, incineration, and the manufacture and use of plastics, paints, and solvents. Extensive bibliographic sources are provided, including historical references, dispelling the notion that "more studies are needed" before we can take action to prevent harm. Chemical Exposure and Disease is a must for all activists, whether lay or professional, who want to prevent disease.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Sherman is a specialist in internal medicine and toxicology. She has published more than 70 articles in the scientific literature. She also writes for the popular press to provide information to the concerned public. Currently she is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and Research Associate and Lecturer with the Radiation and Public Health Project.
To order: send $24.95 plus $4.00 postage in check or money order for each book to Dr. Janette D. Sherman, P.O. Box 4605, Alexandria, VA 22303
Sat Dharam Kaur
A Call to Women: The Healthy Breast Program and Workbook
While there are many books available concerning the treatment of breast cancer this is the first to present a naturopathic program for breast cancer prevention designed for use by individuals and groups, featuring practical nutritional, physical, emotional and spiritual self-help exercises, with organic and herbal recipes for cleansing the body. Studies show that up to 80% of cancer patients are extremely interested in information on the very methods Sat Dharam Kaur, ND has written about so well. This information is NOT available from their conventional health care providers.
She understands the need to take preventive action from the scourge of cancer and the things that you can do in your everyday life to lower the risk of getting breast cancer and to reduce the chances of a recurrence. Estimates state that as many as one in three will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The elements of the program she presents have been shown to reduce risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension and even diabetes. There are many journal studies supporting aspects of this approach. Current theory is moving toward the idea that primary prevention may be useful for those who are hoping to avoid a recurrence of cancer. Thus the material is even more useful to the community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sat Dharam Kaur is a naturopathic doctor practicing at the Grey-Bruce Naturopathic Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario. She was awarded the "Naturopathic Doctor of the Year" award in 2000. She developed the Healthy Breast Program in an effort to educate women in the causes of breast cancer and in naturopathic ways to prevent and treat it. Dr. Kaur is the author of "The Healthy Breast Program & Workbook...A Naturopathic Guide to Preventing and Treating Breast Cancer" To order by phone or fax and for wholesale prices please call (519) 372-2755, or 372-9212. Email sdk@log.on.ca. Also available at: http://www.Amazon.com
Kurt Greenberg
"The Skin Cancer Breakthrough Program: Complementary Strategies for Prevention and Treatment "
The only book that we have found to talk about alternative/complementary medicine and skin cancer. Kurt is not a doctor but is very knowledgeable about new developments in product research as well as clinical perspectives by
leading medical complementrists. His new book "The Skin Cancer Breakthrough Program: Complementary Strategies for Prevention and Treatment " is dedicated to this ideal. This website is an effort to provide sources of information that may help assist in your journey for better health.
Dr. Carol Robin, DC CCN-CD: Transforming Cancer Surgery can help you transform anxiety, fear and helplessness into empowerment and optimism. This guided imagery CD featuring Dr. Carol Robin, DC CCN, is designed to accelerate healing, minimize anxiety and post-operative discomfort, and transform surgery into a positive, healing experience. Also available from Paradigm Shift Products, Inc. are Four Steps to Center™, an introduction to the simple, effective guided imagery/meditation technique of the same name, and Restful Sleep, Healing Sleep. This is a relaxing, guided journey into deep, effortless, rejuvenating sleep. For additional product and ordering information: www.paradigmshiftproducts.com or call 800-657-8119.
Puja Thomson- AFTER SHOCK: FROM CANCER DIAGNOSIS TO HEALING- a-step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way. Empowers patients and their families to take charge of all aspects of a cancer experience—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual—to help the body heal. Thomson’s holistic perspective blends conventional, complementary & alternative approaches, with practical suggestions, organizational tools for decision-making and easy record-keeping, personal stories and excellent resources. Indie Excellence FINALIST 2007 Book Awards (Health) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Puja Thomson has drawn from her personal experience of breast cancer and her training and skills as a health care professional, director of educational programs, transformational therapist, interfaith minister, and workshop leader. She is director of ROOTS & WINGS in the Mid-Hudson Valley of NY. Paperback $19.95- To order: http://www.aftershockfromcancer.com/orders.html. Published by Roots & Wings Publishing, P. O. Box 1081, New Paltz NY 12561.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE BREAST CANCER WEBSITES
Thanks to the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance for researching and compiling these links. www.ibca.net
Arabic:
French:
German:
Gujarati
Hindi
Italian:
Japanese:
Russian:
Spanish:
Serbo-Croatian:
Swedish:
Tagalog:
Vietnamese:
Welsh:
OTHER RESOURCES
SPIRAL Selected Patient Resouces in Asian Languages (Tufts University)
COMPLEMENTARY PHYSICIANS and CENTERS
The SCHACHTER CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE- Dr. Michael Schachter
www.mbschachter.com Phone: (845) 368-4700
Treatment programs emphasize lifestyle changes and address diet, exercise, nutritional supplements and stress management.
For many patients, programs involving injectable vitamins, minerals, chelating agents and bio-oxidative substances play a major role in treatment. Other modalities used include homeopathy, acupuncture, and counseling or psychotherapy.
Located in Suffern New York.
Mitchell Gaynor.M.D.,P.C.- GAYNOR INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY (GIO)
http://gaynoroncology.com info@gaynoroncology.com
331 East 65th St., NYC-(212)410-3820
Gaynor Integrative Oncology was founded by Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, a board certified medical oncologist, internist and hematologist.
Dr. Gaynor is a Senior Medical Oncology Consultant at The Strang Cancer Prevention Center as well as Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Weill-Medical College of Cornell University. Gaynor Integrative Oncology is staffed with nutritionists, physical therapists, and other health professionals to develop with Dr. Gaynor the best treatment plan for each patient and to help patients restore their physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. Gaynor Integrative Oncology is unique in that unlike many centers and practices, instead of simply offering a smorgasbord of integrative services to patients, Dr. Gaynor tailors the use of treatments to individual patient needs.
THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH AND HEALING
388 Kenwood Avenue in Delmar, NY. For appointments: (518) 689-2244.
Founded and directed by Dr. Ronald Stram. Experienced physicians alongside complementary practitioners who are highly trained and certified in the fields of clinical nutrition, acupuncture, massage therapy and naturopathic medicine. Our therapists have been selected carefully for their skill and sensitivity in order to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.
Our services for cancer patients and their families include:
· Reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments
· Improvement and optimization of immune system functioning
· Proper guidance and timing of anti-oxidant and detoxification treatments
· Clinical nutrition to increase energy and maintain lean body mass
· Supplementation with vitamins, herbs and botanical formulations with attention to potential interactions with pharmaceutical treatments
· Reduction of anxiety and depression and improvement of quality of life through yoga, meditation, guided imagery, reiki and massage therapy
· Helping to navigate through the myriad of evidence-based, unproven and potentially harmful complementary healthcare choices
· Support for family members and/or caregivers
COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE WEBSITES
THE ANNIE APPLESEED PROJECT
www.annieappleseedproject.org/
The Annie Appleseed Project acts to spread news, views and information about access to alternative and complementary cancer therapies.
TOWNSEND LETTER FOR DOCTORS & PATIENTS
www.townsendletter.com
Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients publishes a print magazine about alternative medicine. It is written by researchers, health practitioners and patients. As a forum for the entire alternative medicine community, we present scientific information (pro and con) on a wide variety of alternative medicine topics.
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources www.mdanderson.org/cimer An increasing number of patients are turning to complementary therapies as part of their overall cancer treatment plan. The Internet has thousands of websites that claim their products can help cure or ease cancer symptoms, treatment-related side effects, or even prevent cancer.
This web site contains evidence-based reviews of complementary or alternative cancer therapies as well as links to other authoritative resources.
These reviews evaluate the designs and the results of published research on herbal, mind-body, energy, nutrition, and other
biological/organic/pharmacological (e.g., cartilage) substances.
Alternative Medicine
www.alternativemedicine.com/
This website represents the work of thousands of alternative physicians worldwide. Here you will find books, articles and news
related to health and the environment.
Ray Peat
www.efn.org/~raypeat/
Dr. Raymond Peat is a world class expert on hormones, especially female hormone problems, and the toxic side effects of drugs and many popular supplements. If you want to know the truth about the toxic side effects of estrogen in all of its forms and about the many health benefits of progesterone, this site is a must. He is an expert on hypothyroidism. Dr. Peat holds a patent on an oral progesterone formula, the only one available.
Breast Cancer- Breast Health
www.breasthealthcancerprevention.com
For women who want to maintain breast health and for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This site is designed with the
purpose of empowering women in their health care choices.
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