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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 8/9/2000 from 152.163.197.57:

In reply to: Treatment question posted by Pat on 8/3/2000 from 152.163.206.213:

Dear Pat:

You raise a very valid question to discuss with your health care team.

A few questions come to mind:

What is your type and stage of breast cancer? What were the histologic and nuclear grades of the tumor?

WIN Against Breast Cancer has several resources that I think will be very helpful to you. First, we have our Breast Buddy Program which matches women who are at least 1-year post treatment (excluding tamoxifen) with new patients to mentor and support them throughout the diagnosis, decision-making, treatment and recovery periods -- for at least 1-year. We make every effort to match Buddies with new patients by age, geography, marital status, type and stage of breast cancer, type of treatment, hobbies and on and on. If you are interested, we could look into matching you with another woman who experienced many of the thoughts, feelings, questions and emotions that you are experiencing.

We have trained information specialists in our offices that can speak with you one on one to determine the best materials to send you (all free of charge). You are more than welcome to call us at (626) 332-2255. If it is a long distance call for you, just ask us to call you right back so that the call is "on our dime."


WIN Against Breast Cancer will be delighted to send you out an educational kit of information, specific to your diagnosis, treatment and decision-making needs, including a videotapes about adjuvant therapy, questions to ask your doctor about breast cancer, an extensive WIN ABC Breast Cancer Resource Guide and much more; free of charge. Other educational materials we can send to you include information regarding breast self-exam, breast health, understanding breast changes, questions to ask your health plan about exemplary care (found on our web site under help yourself – 10 key questions for women to ask their health plans) and breast cancer myths.

I am a strong advocate of second opinions and suggest that you do discuss your questions and concerns with your oncologist and any other member of your health care team that you think will be helpful to you (e.g., surgeon, OB/GYN, etc.).

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is very difficult to render an opinion without knowing all the facts of any one particular case. But one strong recommendation we would like to make is that you pursue your question(s) with your own physicians. You should feel fully empowered to obtain a satisfactory answer and feel free to seek a second or third opinion. We have some great tips on partnering with your health care team and key questions to ask your doctors, communication tips and informed decision-making tips to help you get the information you need. There is a special form on our web site (blue link at the top of this page) that you can fill out and e-mail to us to help us best meet your needs and you are also welcome to call us at (626) 332-2255. Your information will be kept confidential.


Please feel free to telephone our office and to fill out the Personal Profile Form via the link at the top of this page so that we can best meet your needs. Your information will remain confidential. Please keep us "posted" on how you are doing and how we can best help and support you, Pat.


My warmest regards,

Betsy Mullen
President/CEO
WIN Against Breast Cancer
8-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

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