Breast Cancer Survivorship Luncheon a Success

On September 19^th, over 60 breast cancer survivors* gathered at Cancer Services to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Held in partnership with Woman’s Hospital, the attendees enjoyed lunch and the company of fellow survivors, caregivers, family and friends.

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets every month but with the help of Woman’s, October’s meeting was larger and even more celebratory than usual, giving the opportunity to reach out to many new clients. Attendees ranged from currently in treatment to two weeks outs of treatment to thirty years out of treatment.

Breast cancer survivor and Cancer Services volunteer Sandra Cristal helped plan the event and was pleased with the huge turnout. “This is a cause that’s important to me and it was wonderful so many showed up – the room was almost too small!”

Adult Programs Coordinator Natalie Depp added, “This was a great opportunity to show that at our support groups we don’t just talk about problems and sad emotions but share friendships and celebrate where our clients are in their cancer journey.”

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets the third Wednesday every month at 11:30 at Cancer Services. For more information about this or any of our support groups, click here or call Natalie at 225-927-2273.

*Cancer Services defines a “cancer survivor” as anyone living with cancer, from the moment of diagnosis for the rest of their life.

Q&A: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Every Sunday, Cancer Services publishes a Cancer Q&A in the Health Section of The Advocate.

Q: I am currently waiting on a cancer diagnosis. If I do have cancer, what questions should I ask my doctor?

A: Being informed and asking questions can give you some control over your condition and may help you cope. Studies show that patients who are informed about their disease and treatment options usually tend to fare better and have fewer side effects than those who simply follow doctors' orders. However, some people feel overwhelmed by too much information or the details regarding their condition. It is best to think how much information is right for you.

You can use the following list as a starting point. You do not have to ask every question and it might help you think of other questions you would like to ask. It’s a good idea to write your questions down before meeting with your doctor so you are sure not to forget anything. Having another person with you to ask questions and to listen to the answers is also a good idea. You may also want a notebook or tape recorder to capture important notes.

Possible questions for your doctor after a cancer diagnosis:

• What is my diagnosis?
• Has cancer spread to my lymph nodes or anywhere else?
• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
• How is staging used to determine cancer treatment?
• What is my prognosis (chance of recovery)?
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
• What is the goal of treatment? What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can side effects be managed?
• Will infertility be a side effect of my treatment?
• How often will I have treatments? How long will my treatment last?
• Will I have to change my normal activities? If so, for how long?
• What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my insurance cover the costs?
• What new treatments are under study? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
• If I seek a second opinion, will I have to repeat any tests or procedures?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?
• Whom should I call with questions or concerns during non-business hours?
• May I contact you or the nurse to talk about additional information I find?

For more information contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273, or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Known nationwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is a great time to spread awareness and talk about the impact of this disease.

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge is here to help those living with all types of cancer, all year long.

This information was provided to Cancer Services by Sandra Christal, a breast cancer survivor and longtime volunteer with Susan G. Komen, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge and Sisters Supporting Sisters.

IMPACT OF BREAST CANCER

-A woman dies because of breast cancer every 69 seconds somewhere in the world … but the really good news is that there are approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors alive today.

-In the U.S., approximately 40,000 people die every year from breast cancer … that’s about the same as the number of people who die in all traffic/highway crashes in America. And, about 200,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer annually.

-Louisiana leads the nation in breast cancer deaths. African American women are often diagnosed at a later stage in the disease than other ethnic groups.

-Men can get breast cancer, about 2000 die every year from the disease.

-Early detection is the most important factor in the cure rate for breast cancer. Approximately 90% of cases have no genetic or family link.

Our partner, Komen for the Cure, urges 4 steps for breast self awareness:

1. Know your risk

a. Talk to your family to learn about your family health history

b. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

a. Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk

b. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at an average risk

c. Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you

a. See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

i. Lump, hard knot or thickening

ii. Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening

iii. Change in the size or shape of breast

iv. Dimpling or puckering of the skin

v. Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

vi. Pulling in of your nipple or other parts

vii. Nipple discharge that starts suddenly

viii. New pain in one spot that does not go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

a. Maintain a healthy weight

b. Add exercise into your routine

c. Limit alcohol intake

History of Cancer Services

Cancer Services is often confused with the American Cancer society, and while the two organizations have a small shared history and similar names, it’s important to know the difference. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. As significant as research is, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge’s mission is to improve the lives of those living with cancer. We hope for the day we have to close our doors because research and medicine has eliminated cancer, we are here in the meantime for those people who are currently living with, through and beyond cancer, as well as for their friends and family members.

Cancer Services began as a local affiliate of the American Cancer Society in 1949, funded by the Community Chest (later the United Givers' Fund, now known as Capital Area United Way). Ten years later in 1959 the American Cancer Society asked its local affiliates to withdraw from the United Givers' Fund in order to conduct annual fund-raising efforts in support of national cancer research. While recognizing the importance of research, members of the Board of Directors voted to continue fulfilling the agency's original mission of providing programs and services for local cancer patients.

Today we still proudly maintain our relationship with the Capital Area United Way, and are still providing programs and services for local cancer patients and adapting to meet their changing needs as research and medicine continually improve the landscape of cancer survivorship.

So, until there’s a cure, there’s Cancer Services.

Think Before You Pink

October is breast cancer awareness month and stores and websites have filled their shelves and pages with a myriad of pink items to benefit breast cancer research, awareness, patients and survivors. Purchasing these items can be a great way to show your support for those in your life that are living with cancer but there is concern about the legitimacy of some of these products and how much actually benefits the charities they claim to help.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people to ask questions before buying products linked to breast cancer awareness groups. They suggest the following tips for consumers interested in learning how their pink ribbon product purchases will benefit charity.

• Inspect the product itself for information. Many companies clearly report how much of their sales go to charity and specifically where the money goes.
• Check the company’s website. If the information isn’t on the product itself, it often can be found via the website printed on the product packaging.
• If you still can’t find the information, call the company and ask for it. Firms that use charity tie-ins to market their products should be transparent to consumers.
• Contact the charity directly if you have doubts they are receiving proceeds.
• Check out the charity to decide whether you believe it is worthy of your support. One way to do this is by contacting the BBB to determine whether the charity meets the BBB’s Standards for Accountability. You may reach the BBB by going to www.bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.

Think Before You Pink™, a project of Breast Cancer Action, launched in 2002 in response to the growing concern about the number of pink ribbon products on the market. The campaign calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions.

P.S. If you want to be sure that your dollars are going to stay in this community and directly help those living with breast cancer and all other cancers, consider donating to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge. For more information call 225-927-2273 or visit our website.