In Sandra's Shoes

I just finished eight weeks of a hospital-sponsored support group for managing breast cancer and stress.

I started out thinking I would join the study group because the findings will eventually help other women suffering from breast cancer.

I found that I helped myself.

Our group had four women with the conversation guided by a social worker for two-and-a-half hours once a week. We all had breast cancer within the last two years.

Our conversations were very frank and intimate and helped me see different view points. We had speakers who discussed meditation, nutrition, excercise, fatigue and hereditary issues with us.

Our group has bonded so well, we've decided to do dinner at least once a month and to support each other as we continue to recover.

If you have a chance to join a support group, I think it's worth it. It does help handling the everyday stresses of life.

I mentioned to my husband the other day about increasing hot flashes and he sent me this article he found on a Yahoo website. I thought I'd share it with you all. Sounds like there's more research to be released but it sounds positive for those of us taking tamoxifen.

TUESDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Hot flashes may act as positive sign for women taking drug treatment for early stage breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego analyzed data from 864 women with early stage breast cancer who were taking tamoxifen therapy. They found that those who reported having hot flashes were less likely (12.9 percent) to develop recurrent breast cancer than those who did not report hot flashes (21 percent).

The researchers also concluded that hot flashes were a stronger predictor of outcome than age, hormone receptor status, or stage of breast cancer at diagnosis. The findings were to be presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Chicago.

"This study provides the first evidence that hot flashes may be an indicator of a better prognosis in women with early stage breast cancer. Our data support the possibility of a significant association between the hot flashes and disease outcome," senior author John P. Pierce, director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Moores Cancer Center, said in a prepared statement.

The researchers plan additional research to explore the relationship between hot flashes and breast cancer progression.

I had my second visit with the surgeon since my lumpectomy on Jan. 10.

She confirmed for me the cyst that was found on my mammogram last month was just a cyst and didn't need to be aspirated.

We agreed we'd just watch it and see what shows up on the next scheduled mammogram in November.

And the pulling that I sometimes feel when I raise my hand above my head is because of the scar tissue but not because of anything else I need to worry about.

Relief.

This summary of a survey of 500 women done by CancerCare.org was sent to me today and shows that women are becoming more informed and educated about breast cancer. I thought I'd share some of the findings and questions developed by CancerCare that women can ask.

About three-quarters of the women between the ages of 50 and 65, report they know a fair amount about the disease. However, while over half (67%) were aware of chemotherapy and radiation as a treatment for breast cancer, only one in four women (23%) had heard about newer targeted treatment options.

· A total of 82% of women believe progress has been made in breast cancer treatments. Unfortunately, 63% did not know the benefits of these treatments

· And 71% of women would research the condition on their own in addition to discussing treatment options with their physician

· And yet, 86% were uncertain about the right questions to ask their doctor if they were diagnosed with breast cancer

In response to this, and other survey findings, CancerCare has developed the following five key questions to help women have a more effective and meaningful conversation with their doctor.

1) What kind of breast cancer do I have?
2) What kind of treatment will help me the most?
3) What are the risks and benefits of that treatment?
4) What is my risk that it will come back and/or spread to another part of my body?
5) Where do I go for support when I need it?

If you want more on the survey results or more information, go to CancerCare.org.

The survey, sponsored by CancerCare and administered by GfK Roper Public Affairs was conducted between April 23 and May 9, 2007 via telephone among a national sample of 501 women between the ages of 50 and 65 years. Of these, 23 respondents were previously diagnosed with breast cancer. The sampling error is +/-4 percentage points. Support for the survey was provided by Novartis Oncology, (www.novartisoncology.com).

If you want more on the survey results or more information, go to CancerCare.org.

About CancerCare

CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. CancerCare programs - including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help - are provided by trained oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. Founded in 1944, CancerCare now provides individual help to more than 91,000 people each year, in addition to the 1.6 million people who gain information and resources from its websites.

Our breast cancer support group stopped its weekly meetings a month ago so last night was our first chance to get together without the formal structure in place. Two of our four members didn't make it but I had dinner with the other group member.
We caught up with talk about our children, our husbands, work and where we are with doctors' visits. We have so much in common that it makes the conversation easy. We're going to try again to get together before the summer is out.

I hadn't wanted to talk about this but I know there are others who share my frustration.

After breast surgery and while undergoing radiation treatment, finding a comfortable bra in the right size with the right amount of support is no easy feat. And even now I still can't get the right fit.

I went for a fitting for a bride's maid dress for my baby sister's wedding. Found the right dress, but none of the bras fit. My two sisters and niece just laughed and shook their heads as I struggled with at least six or seven various sized-bras.

Nothing fit.

So I'm on the hunt again. I'm headed to a specialty shop this weekend to try to find something comfortable so I won't be self conscious as part of the wedding party.

Wish me luck. A member of my support group suggested breezies but I haven't had a chance to try those.

I'll let you know how it goes.