According to a study of breast cancer patients by researchers in Australia, women who live alone and well-educated women are hardest hit emotionally by breast cancer. Co-chief investigator of the study, Robin Bell, suggested that women living alone may benefit by targeted provision of social support.

Researchers think that the lower wellbeing results of more educated women may reflect greater anxiety over making decisions and difficulty coping with a sense loss of control. Dr. Susan R Davis, who was involved with the study, encourages health care providers to be sensitive to the possibility that highly educated women may not deal as well psychologically with the disease.

How do you feel about these study results? Anyone with breast cancer needs support, and there are several resources out there.

Resources for Women with Breast Cancer

The Reach to Recovery program by the American Cancer Society matches volunteers who’ve had breast cancer with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The volunteers offer support and hope at a very overwhelming time. The volunteers stay in contact with patients as long as breast cancer is a concern. To be matched with a volunteer or to volunteer yourself, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

You may also take an online “I Can Cope” class by the American Cancer Society. No registration is required.

Take advantage of the YourShoes 24/7 Breast Cancer Support Center by Breast Cancer Network of Strength. A trained peer counselor can answer your questions and provide support on the phone. Call them anytime at 1-800-221-2141.

(Image via WikiMedia Commons)

Post from: Blisstree

Emotional Health of Breast Cancer Patients

While perusing October’s issue of Shape (not a magazine my eyes often frequent; it just seems I qualified for a free issue this month), I ran into a full-page advertisement for the Advanced Breast Cancer Community.

Breast cancer has only hit close to home for me once. My best friend’s mother was diagnosed with it. Aside from that, most of my information about breast cancer comes from reading Pink Ribbon Review and reading up on the progress of famous names like Christina Applegate (and, of course, spotting celebrities like the casts of Army Wives and Grey’s Anatomy wearing Warriors in Pink apparel – which, actually, isn’t information at all…).

My point is, I don’t have a whole lot of firsthand experience with breast cancer, but I’m not ignorant, either.

However, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that anyone diagnosed with breast cancer, including their families, friends, and loved ones, undoubtedly needs support. The Advanced Breast Cancer Community seems to offer just that.

The ad caught my attention, not because it was an entire page, but because it included a woman’s “breast cancer to do list.” The first two tasks? Get through surgery and radiation. The third? Get the kids to Hawaii.

Yes, I thought. This is important. This is important for any patient. Focus on getting better, but don’t lose sight of the good things in life. Don’t forget to spend time with loved ones. To make plans. To carry out plans. To have fun.

When you visit the ABCC website, you’ll find a community driven to provide information, resources, and support for people battling breast cancer. In addition to treatment information and news and safety updates, the ABCC provides an extensive list of support resources and communities, including its own. Plus, the ABCC has partnerships with 13 leading breast cancer patient advocacy organizations, so, this ain’t their first time around the block.

I love to read about successful online advocacy and support groups. While nothing compares to being face to face with a group of people who get what you’re going through and can offer help, or just a shoulder to cry on, good online groups are usually much more accessible and convenient. Plus, you generally don’t have to wait until a certain time on a certain day to gain that support; you can usually just log on the moment you need to ask a question, look up some information, or just vent to a friend.

If you or someone you know is fighting the breast cancer battle, go ahead and visit the ABCC. And, in the meantime, for more breast cancer-related posts here at Mental Health Notes, check out:

• Brain Break: Click To Donate Mammograms At The Breast Cancer Site
• Learn Tips To Manage Emotional Distress From Karen Lynch
• Nurture Mental Health During The Fight Against Cancer

Image: PicApp

Post from: Blisstree

Find Resources And Support At The Advanced Breast Cancer Community