Necessity of breast cancer awareness plus what I’ve learned

Debbie Dunn Moore is very grateful to add her name to the ranks of the thousands of breast cancer survivors. Her breast cancer journey began just before Christmas of 2009 when she discovered a 3- by 5-inch tumor in the left side of her left breast. Under the wonderful care of Dr. Dharmen Patel, Dr. John Boys, Dr. Mark Patterson, and Dr. Joe Austin, she went through 8 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, and 35 days of radiation. As of November of 2010, she has been “in remission” or “cancer-free.” Here are the main lessons that she has learned:

(1) Be aware of what your breast already looks and feels like so that if it changes, you are alert enough to catch any signs of breast cancer early – before it has time to spread to other parts of your body. Other than a lump, please be aware that other potential signs of severe breast cancer include a dimple or indentation on your breast (don’t just think it is gravity kicking in because you are getting older as Debbie did), a rash on the breast, puckering of the breast, nipple discharge, and noticeable breast shrinkage. Visit a doctor as soon as possible. If you don’t have insurance, visit the Health Department to see if they might be of assistance.

(2) Joining a cancer support group such as the one held at Laughlin Hospital in Greeneville, Tennessee, can be extremely helpful.

(3) Maintaining a positive attitude and a sense of humor (even if it only be gallows humor) can make a world of difference in your recovery potential.

(4) Having a good support system of family and friends is extremely helpful.

(5) The power of prayer can truly work miracles.

If you would like to know more about Debbie’s breast cancer journey, feel free to read this blog at http://healingseeker.wordpress.com/. She is also writing a book on the topic that is coming out in 2012. When the book becomes available, she will post details on her website at http://askdjlyons.com/ and on this blog.

A great resource for women of Greene County, TN who are in need of a free mammogram. Click on FREE MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS. If you are not from Greene County, TN, check with your local hospital. They may very well provide that same service as well.

Cancer Survivor Networks by guest blogger David Haas

This was written by guest blogger David Haas. Thanks, David!

For those who have battled cancer, finding a cancer survivor program is often one of the most beneficial steps towards healthy living and sustained recovery. With over 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States, cancer survivor programs allow patients to partner with the people and organizations that can best understand and serve them. These programs are designed to help patients assess risk and develop a plan for healthy living in order to properly handle the long-term effects of cancer treatment and diagnosis .

Typically, cancer survivor programs conduct a thorough evaluation of a patient, including diagnosis and medical history. After the consultation, a treatment plan is recommended that includes an assessment of physical and emotional risks as well as a suggested plan to manage long-term effects and potentially extend a life expectancy if the prognosis is bad. Additional referrals are sometimes made for supplementary treatments such as nutrition guides, acupuncture, counseling or therapeutic massages.

Because the effects of cancer are far-reaching and often overwhelming, patients are frequently left with emotional and psychological distress as well. Cancer survivor programs are able to take a holistic approach to healing by focusing on all issues surrounding cancer. These personal issues can sometimes include increased levels of stress, grief and depression, and professional treatment is often necessary to ensure a healthy mind, body and soul. By providing counseling and additional resources, cancer survivor programs are able to comprehensively assist patients fighting cancer and remind them that they are not alone in their fight.

Perhaps one of the most notable cancer survivor resources is Livestrong.com. Founded by award-winning cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONG provides cancer survivors with a wealth of knowledge and resources in order to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.

An additional resource for information on cancer survivor programs is http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/survivorship. This government site includes a variety of research including statistics, post-resource studies and interactive online information.

Cancer survivor programs help many people with many different types of cancer including breast cancer , bone cancer, and even rare and terminal cancers such as mesothelioma. None of these people are alone in their fight. Cancer survivor programs are available to help patients improve their quality of life and ensure that resources are available to those on the path towards health and wellness.

By: David Haas