One in 8 American women and 1 in 1,000 American men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year.
Breast cancer is difficult to face alone—for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups.
There are several support groups in the greater Sacramento area, which include:
Breast Cancer — Reach To Recovery
When: By appointment
Where: American Cancer Society, 1765 Challenge Way, Suite 115, Sacramento
More Info: (916) 446-7933
Spanish Speaking Breast Cancer Support Group
When: First and third Thursday of each month, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Sutter Cancer Center, 2800 L Street, Sacramento
More Info: Angie Mejia, (916) 267-3303
Save Ourselves English Support Group
When: Groups meet twice a month on Thursdays at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Mondays at 7 p.m.
Where: Locations vary.
More Info: Cass Brown Capel, Ph.D., Support Group Facilitator, (916) 787-8787.
“Support groups are really beneficial,” says Debra Somerrs Copit, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and a member of the medical advisory board for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
“When patients are told they’re sick, it can be an out of body experience and they aren’t taking in everything the doctor is saying. It can be helpful to have someone to turn to and learn from who has gone through the same thing,” says Copit, who is a breast cancer survivor herself.
Not only do groups offer emotional support, but being a part of a support group can actually help patients feel less depressed and can help to reduce physical pain, according to a 2001 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients who aren’t big fans of group settings but still want to reap the benefits can turn to technology. It’s hard to duplicate in-person support groups on the web, but the recently launched breast cancer specific social networking platform, MyBreastCancerTeam comes close.
The site and mobile app caters to breast cancer survivors, and women who have been recently diagnosed. Users can find suggestions for doctors and find similar users based on location, diagnosis and age. Members also have access to peer-driven Q&A section where they can read and write posts.
While a web platform may be useful for some, Dr.Copit worries that online forums can sometimes trigger the spread of misinformation. She suggests that patients who can’t make it to an in-person support group try calling a phone line.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer has a confidential survivors’ helpline that connects patients with others of similar background, going through similar situation. Call (888) 753-LBBC (5222) for more information.
TELL US: Do you know of any breast cancer support groups in the community? How have they helped you?
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