* Staying healthy during and after treatment.  Utilize community resources such as WIN ABC, ACS and the Wellness Community; don't play "Wonder Woman" or "Super Man"; allow others to pitch in and help with your day-to-day responsibilities; communicate your feelings and needs to others -- people want to help but often don't know where to begin, so give them some suggestions of things they can do for you.

* Staying healthy after the crisis and fear have diminished and: 1) your family, friends and co-workers are back to business as usual and 2) you are back into a regular routine.  A little dust on your coffee table is not the end of the world; take a bubble bath or pick up a good book instead of picking up the dust cloth!

* Stress Management.  Keep your immune system well tuned; listen to relaxation tapes; learn how to meditate, exercise and eat right.

* Dealing with fear of recurrence/dealing with a recurrence.  When in doubt, check it out!

* Relationship issues; body image and sexuality issues.  Take the pressure off yourself and ease back into intimacy.

Think of it as "Re-entry":

_ Intimacy -- looking at scars for the first time/showing partner your scars for the first time/making love for the first time.

_ Social -- family routine; social routine; work place routine.  Redefine roles and responsibilities; work together to establish new routines and new norms.

_ Community -- transition from patient active to patient activist/advocate.  Learn how to be  heard and make a difference.  Get informed and stay informed!

Work with other individuals and organizations to affect public opinion and public policy on  key areas such as:

1. anti-tobacco legislation

2. environmental protection legislation

3. the need for more money for breast cancer research

Become and remain a partner with your health care team, your health care system and with your community.