Resources and support

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Cancer Support, Information & Resources

When undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, it’s important to have access to as many helpful resources as possible. How you choose to seek support and find information is up to you. We hope the following list of resources will help you find what you’re looking for:

This list of resources is provided merely as a convenience. Abraxis and AstraZeneca take no responsibility for the content of, or services provided by these resources and make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and shall have no liability for any damages or injuries of any kind arising from the information contained within these resources.

Cancer support organizations

The following organizations and Web sites provide breast cancer information, support, and community.

Online cancer support and community

  • BCMets
    The largest online community of people living with advanced breast cancer, their families, and their friends. Enter search criteria for information and patient mailing list submissions.
  • BreastCancer.org
    The largest online community of breast cancer patients, both early and advanced. Support resources include chat rooms, discussion boards, and online conferences.
  • CancerCare
    A national nonprofit organization that offers complimentary assistance services to those affected by cancer.
  • Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
    A national nonprofit organization that aims to protect patients by finding them access to care, helping to maintain their employment, and ensuring that they are financially stable.
  • People Living With Cancer
    An award-winning patient information Web site of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) that contains oncologist-approved cancer information.
  • SusanLoveMD.org
    A nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance the quality of women’s health through groundbreaking research, education, and advocacy.

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Breast cancer organizations

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General cancer resources

  • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    Universal cancer resources, statistics, treatment information, and health news.
  • Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
    Provides access to 159 mailing lists that offer assistance and information to people affected by cancer.
  • CancerLinks
    A search engine that retrieves cancer-related sites.
  • OncoLink
    Administers information about specific types of cancer and provides news about cancer treatments and research advances.
  • WebMD
    Provides health information through portals, publications, and an online community with expert-led and peer-to-peer message boards.

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Medical associations and government agencies

The following medical associations and government agencies can supply you with reliable information about chemotherapy and metastatic breast cancer. Web sites belonging to these organizations use very technical language. Consult with your doctor about the information you find on these sites or receive from these organizations.

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
    Phone: 202-638-5577
    Web site: www.acog.com
  • American College of Radiology
    Phone: 800-ACR-LINE
    Web site: www.acr.org
  • American Medical Women’s Association
    Phone: 703-838-0500
    Fax: 703-549-3864
    Web site: www.amwa-doc.org
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
    Phone: 703-299-0150
    Web site: www.asco.org
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Cancer Prevention and Control
    Phone: 770-488-4751
    Web site: www.cdc.gov/cancer
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
    Phone: 877-267-2323
    Web site: www.cms.hhs.gov
    Also provides information on HIPAA.
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
    Web site: www.clinicaltrials.gov
  • National Cancer Institute
    Phone: 800-422-6237
    Fax: 301-402-0894
    Web site: www.nci.nih.gov
  • National Medical Association
    Phone: 202-347-1895
    Web site: www.nmanet.org
  • Oncology Nursing Society
    Phone: 412-921-7373
    Web site: www.ons.org
  • Social Security Administration
    Phone: 800-772-1213
    Web site: www.ssa.gov

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Books and publications

The following books and publications provide information and support to help you stay focused on your treatment plan and overall health:

  • 57 Good Things About Chemotherapy
    By Alec Kalla. Knackk Press, 2001.
    Offers an extraordinary comical outlook on chemotherapy.
  • Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease
    By Musa Mayer. 2nd edition. O’Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1998.
    Practical advice and emotional support for women and families dealing with the realities of metastatic breast cancer.
  • Art.Rage.Us.: Art and Writing by Women with Breast Cancer
    By Jill Eikenberry and Terry Tempest. Chronicle Books, 1998.
    Inspiring artwork and writing by breast cancer survivors, an outgrowth of an exhibit at the San Francisco Main Library Gallery.
  • Betty Crocker’s Living with Cancer Cookbook: Easy Recipes and Tips Through Treatment and Beyond
    Betty Crocker, 2001.
    Advice from cancer patients, from tips for coping with emotions to tips for making recipes more appealing. Recipes are tagged to show which are helpful for common side effects of cancer treatment.
  • The Breast Cancer Book of Strength & Courage: Inspiring Stories to See You Through Your Journey
    By Ernie Bodai, M.D., and Judie Fertig Panneton. 1st edition. Prima Lifestyles, 2002.
    Uplifting stories of women who faced mastectomies, radiation, and chemotherapy with courage, humor, and grace.
  • The Cancer Monologue Project
    By Tanya Taylor and Pamela Thompson. MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2002.
    In a series of workshops, people affected by cancer were invited to write and perform their stories about living, resulting in these 30 engaging monologues.
  • Coping With Chemotherapy
    By Nancy Pauling Bruning. Avery, 2002.
    A reliable source of information on how chemotherapy treatments work, how to cope with side effects, and what to expect during treatment.
  • Hanging Out With Lab Coats: Hope, Humor & Help for Cancer Patients and their Caregivers
    By Wendi Fox Pedicone. FoxPress, 2007.
    Both an uplifting memoir about one woman’s battle with breast cancer and a helpful breast cancer resource.
  • Holding Tight, Letting Go: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
    By Musa Mayer. 1st edition. Patient Center Guides, 1997.
    A personalized and highly informed guide to life with metastatic breast cancer.
  • Here for Now: Living Well with Cancer Through Mindfulness
    By Elana Rosenbaum. Satya House Publications, 2005.
    Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.
  • Live Longer, Live Larger: A Holistic Approach for Cancer Patients and Their Families
    By Susan W. Buchholz, Ph.D., and William M. Buchholz, M.D. 1st edition. Patient Center Guides, 2001.
    Stories and exercises to help conquer fear, find the right treatment, and increase the quality and meaning of life.

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