In my previous blog post, 5 Tips to Face A New Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, I shared tips that I found to be very helpful prior to starting cancer treatment. This is a great resource to share with anyone facing a new diagnosis.
In this post I will be sharing resources for those impacted with Breast Cancer. There are several resources that are specific to California and the San Francisco Bay Area, because that is where I live and received treatment. I have also shared national resources as well.
Resources & Support
- Breast Cancer Glossary – A collection of common terms and treatments with the definitions.
- Facts and Statistics – information about Breast Cancer types and conditions.
- Breast Cancer Information and Overview – detailed information on risks, causes, symptoms and treatment.
- Tools & Resources – Educational Resources, Breast Care Helpline, and other interactive tools provided by Susan G Komen.
- Young Survival Coalition – YSC is one of my favorite resources. They promote a sense of community for young adults affected by Breast Cancer. They provide a lot of resources and a public platform for other women to share their own experiences.
- UCSF Breast Cancer Resources & Support – Resources and support options through UCSF Breast Cancer Center.
- CDC Breast Cancer Resources to Share – Graphics, printable materials, podcasts and videos by the CDC.
- American Cancer Society Programs and Services – Information on treatments, research and programs for all types of cancer.
- Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) – San Francisco Bay Area support community for young people with Breast Cancer.
- Lymphedivas – Created and founded by two young Breast Cancer Survivors. They offer a variety of stylish and comfortable compression sleeves and garments for women with lymphedema.
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer – Provides a help hotline staffed with survivor volunteers as well as a wide variety of free resources for women in all stages of Breast Cancer.
Medical Care & Advice Services
- The Second Opinion – A non-profit agency with a mission to provide free multidisciplinary second opinions and related services to adults in California diagnosed with cancer. This is not a physician monitored board, instead it works to answer questions from patients and family members.
- CancerCare – Oncology social workers who help patients with emotional and practical challenges of Breast Cancer.
- California State Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Programs – The BCCTP works to provide needed cancer treatment to eligible patients who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and/or Cervical Cancer and are in need of treatment. This is an income based program, those that qualify must have an income below 200% of the federal poverty level, and no other health insurance such as Medical-Cal or Medicare.
Hair Resources
- HairToStay – A national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to scalp cooling (cold cap) and support for cancer patients. They offer need-based grants to help with the cost of cold cap treatments for patients in the United States.
- GoodWishes – Their mission is to provide a free head wrap or scarf to anyone expierencing hair loss or thinning as a result of cancer treatment.
- American Cancer Society – National Organization that provides free wigs to women with Breast Cancer.
- Great Clips – Great Clips offers “Clips of Kindness”- a free haircut to anyone about to undergo chemo.
Financial Resources
- CancerCare – CancerCare offers limited financial help for cancer related costs such as childcare, transportation, and oncology social workers.
- SAMFund – Support and assistance for young adults dealing with the financial struggles of cancer treatments. They provide grants that can help with living expenses, continuing education, fertility storage and reconstructive procedures.
- The Pink Fund – Provides financial support to those in Breast Cancer treatment.
- The Provision Project – Provides financial assistance to help women in active Breast Cancer treatment.
- Financial Assistance & Insurance Information – Resources to help with costs and treatments of Breast Cancer by Susan G Komen.
- Social Security Disability – Resource for applying for Disability benefits with Breast Cancer.
Fertility & Sexuality Resources
- Livestrong’s Fertility Services – Provides financial support to cancer patients going through fertility treatments.
- UCSF Center for Reproductive Health – UCSF has been very proactive about making sure young women with Breast Cancer know the reproductive options they have before starting cancer treatments.
- Blossom Organics – Cancer often has an adverse affect on libido and intimacy. Blosson Organics offers safe, natural and pure intimate care products to help reduce the effects of treatment.
Bras & Prosthetics
- Ana Ono – Founded by a Breast Cancer survivor, Dana Donofree, who has designed bras specifically for people who have had Breast Cancer. Bras are for all types of reconstruction, flat closure, and recovery from surgery.
- Nordstrom – National department stores with local departments offer in-person fittings for prosthetics and mastectomy bras.
Thank you again for continuing to follow along on my Breast Cancer journey. The road has been long, life changing and challenging. I am still navigating life after “active treatment” and have try to take it one day at a time. As mentioned before, I hope that this blog helps other women and families that are facing a diagnosis of Breast Cancer. I hope you all continue to follow along!
