This Breast Cancer Awareness Month doctors, non-profits say don’t go it alone
MARYLAND – This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, medical providers and community organizations want you to know that you don’t have to face the fight alone.
Women Supporting Women
In Salisbury, Women Supporting Women (WSW) is in its 31st year of providing help and resources to breast cancer patients and their loved ones on the Eastern Shore.
“Our mission is to provide awareness, education, and support to anyone who’s been affected by breast cancer,” said Executive Director of WSW, Jocelyn Feist. “All of our services are completely free to anyone that’s been diagnosed.”
Just since January, Feist says WSW has supported more than 200 individuals through their respective breast cancer journeys. The organization offers wigs, hats, and scarves for chemotherapy patients, recliner lift chairs for bilateral mastectomy patients, information-packed tote bags, and cancer handbooks.
“It walks you through what your doctor is explaining to you. That way, you’re able to read up further on what your doctor is saying to you,” Feist explained.
Offering Comprehensive Care
Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) in Berlin is also working to support patients and survivors.
Dr. Christine Neto, Vice Chief of Staff for AGH, says the facility has state-of-the-art treatment and screening technology, offers support groups, and promotes cancer prevention. The hospital also provides cancer risk assessments and free screenings at community events. When a patient finds a lump, Dr. Neto says their scheduling and treatment is expedited.
All of these efforts, Dr. Neto says, are key in the overall fight against the disease.
“It’s the most common type of cancer in the United States and worldwide,” Dr. Neto said. “New cases have increased slightly, but in the past few decades the risk of dying has decreased, and that’s mainly due to early detection and improved treatments.”
Check Early and Often
Both men and women should check themselves early and often. Things to look out for are irregular lumps in breasts, skin dimpling (like the skin of an orange), and changes in nipple appearance or discharge.
“Advocate for yourself,” Feist urged. “Do your self-exams. I know it’s hard but remember those yearly mammograms. Life happens and people get busy, but I say stay on top of it as best as you can.”
How You Can Be Supportive
Both Feist and Dr. Neto encourage loved ones of cancer patients to provide as much support as possible.
“You could even go to the doctor’s appointment with them to have a second pair of ears to hear what is being relayed to them,” Feist suggested.
Dr. Neto said that another key practice is to not ask what you can do to help; rather, offer support that’s already been planned for.
“A huge amount of support is not ‘What can I do for you?’ but ‘Would you like me to pick up the kids from school? Go with you to your appointment?'” Dr. Neto explained. “Their emotions will be up and down, and just being there to listen to them while they’re going through this is really important.”
For more information about breast cancer, click here.
