Online Resources
UCSF Resources
UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center: www.ucsfbreastcarecenter.org
UCSF Events Calendar: http://calendar.ucsf.edu/
UCSF Medical Center: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/
UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health Celebrates Breast Care Advances at UCSF: www.coe.ucsf.edu/coe/news/breast_cancer_index.html
UCSF Women's Health Resource Center: http://www.whrc.ucsf.edu/whrc/
Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center at UCSF: 415-885-3693 or http://cancer.ucsf.edu/crc
- Free lending library
- Take-home pamphlets
- Newsletter
- Calendar of programs
- Database of resources
- Access to oncology social worker
UCSF Patient Health Library: 415-885-7285 or http://mountzion.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/phl
Podcast @ UCSF: https://cit.ucsf.edu/podcast/
General Information, Workshops, Peer Support
American Cancer Society: 1-800-237-2345 or www.cancer.org
- Services and support to people with cancer and their families
- Financial assistance available in the form of reimbursement for transportation
- Lodging costs related to cancer treatment or MD visits
BC Cancer Agency: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca This Canadian website provides a comprehensive chemotherapy drug manual for patients.
CancerCare: 1-800-813-4673 in English and Spanish, www.cancercare.org
- Learn new ways to cope with your cancer diagnosis
- Explore and manage feelings which may include sadness or anxiety
- Speak with your children about your cancer
- Find help with financial challenges
- Improve communications with your health care team
- Connect with resources
Cancer.net: www.cancer.net
- Next steps after cancer treatment
- Late effects of treatment
- Survivor care plan
- Survivor stories
Cancer Prevention Institute of California: www.cpic.org The CPIC has published a number of resource guides and fact sheets, including:
- Estate Planning
- Support groups for Latinas who have breast cancer
- Guide for employers with employees affected by breast cancer
The CPIC is also a clearing house for cancer demographic information and releases an Annual Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation: www.susanlovemd.com The website of breast cancer surgeon Dr. Susan Love, author of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book.
Female Health Links: www.femalehealthlinks.com Women's health care information online.
International Cancer Research Portfolio (ICRP): www.cancerportfolio.org Cancer research funders from the United States and the United Kingdom have joined together in a partnership to classify their cancer research portfolios using the Common Scientific Outline (CSO). Based on this unified classification system, the ICRP allows users to search, browse and sort cancer research by Type of Cancer, Area of Research, or Funding Organization.
Lance Armstrong Foundation: 1-866-467-7205 or www.livestrong.org- SurvivorCare program, to request help dealing with your cancer experience
- Counseling and referrals to local resources
- Help addressing financial and insurance concerns
- Clinical trials matching to new treatments in development
Living Beyond Breast Cancer: 1-888-753-LBBC or www.lbbc.org A national non-profit education and support organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Services include:
- Conferences
- Teleconferences
- Networking programs
- Quarterly newsletters
- Survivors' Helpline volunteers offer peer support, information and hope in a confidential setting.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: www.mskcc.org
- Support
- Health issues
- Research
- Resources
- Educational webcasts
- Survivor guide
- Survivor stories
National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancer_information This site provides cancer information from the National Cancer Institute, the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. Patients, families, students, etc. can also contact the National Institute for Health at 1-800-4CANCER for answers to any cancer related questions.
National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Survivorship: http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs- Research studies
- Resources
- Calendar
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: 1-877-NCCS-YES or www.canceradvocacy.org A survivor-led cancer advocacy organization:
- Advocating for quality cancer care
- Empowering cancer survivors
- National advocacy and patient education are their priorities
National LGBT Cancer Network: www.cancer-network.org The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by:
- Educating the LGBT community about our increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection;
- Training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and
- Advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research.
National Library of Medicine: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ PubMed is the U.S. National Library of Medicine's search service that provides access to over 11 million citations in MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, and other related databases, with links to participating online journals. www.medlineplus.gov provides health information with easy access to Medline and health topics, medical dictionaries, directories, and publications.
New York Online Access to Health: www.noah-health.org Authoritative bilingual health information site, dedicated to an underserved population of health consumers, many of whom are Spanish speaking. Un sitio de información sobre la salud único bilingue, responsable y con autoridad, dedicado a servir una población con poco acceso a información sobre la salud, una mayor parte de la cual es de habla español.
Oncolink: www.oncolink.org
- Resources
- Library
- Coping information
Oncology Nursing Society: www.ons.org This website for cancer nurses has a patient section with much information for patients with cancer, their families, and friends.
WebMD.com: www.webmd.com Consumers can find information on medical conditions, treatments and drugs; participate in discussions with medical experts; read the latest news in medicine; share health experiences and learn from others on this comprehensive website.
Breast Cancer
American Society of Clinical Oncology: www.asco.org The ASCO Patient Guide provides information about follow-up care for breast cancer.
BreastCancer.org: http://www.breastcancer.org/
Breast Cancer Fund: http://www.breastcancerfund.org
Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly "Y-Me"): 1-800-221-2141 (800-986-9505 for Spanish) or www.networkofstrength.org- Information and support to anyone touched by breast cancer
- Peer support through YourShoes™, a 24/7 breast cancer support center staffed by breast cancer survivors who know first-hand what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone who is facing the disease
- Providing information and community to those touched by breast cancer
Cancer Prevention Institute of California: www.dcis.info A guide to ductal carcinoma in situ
Celebrating Life Foundation: www.celebratinglife.org A website for African American women with breast cancer.
IBC Support: www.ibcsupport.org Information about inflammatory breast cancer
Imaginis: www.imaginis.com/ Resource for information and news on breast cancer
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC): www.stopbreastcancer.org/ The nation's largest breast cancer advocacy group
National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast Comprehensive information on breast cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy.
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Genetics
- Clinical trials
- Education
- Resources
NIH guide to breast cancer surgery treatment choices: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/treatment/breast-cancer-surgery-choices A patients' guide to early stage (I-III) breast cancer and the surgical decisions involved, from the National Cancer Institute.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network: www.nccn.com In partnership with the American Cancer Society, the NCCN Guidelines for Patients provides frequently updated treatment guidelines devised by cancer specialists from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/ Supported by Cornell Univiersity, this program provides science-based information on environment factors and cancer risk of breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen For the Cure: 1-877-465-6636 (English & Spanish) or ww5.komen.org
- Calendar of breast cancer events
- Hosts "talk back", a question and answer forum
- Helpline for survivors and families
Young Survivor's Coalition: www.youngsurvival.org Information specifically for women diagnosed with breast cancer under 40 years of age.
- Programs
- Research
- Online discussion
- Events
Zero Breast Cancer: http://www.zerobreastcancer.org/ A group focused on environmental factors and the role they play in the development of breast cancer.
Fertility
Fertile Hope: www.fertilehope.org Reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
- Comprehensive information
- Referral guide
- Support
UCSF Center for Reproductive Health Fertility Preservation Program: http://coe.ucsf.edu/ivf/fertility_preservation.html
Financial assistance
Benefits & Disability Assistance:415-885-3693 or http://cancer.ucsf.edu/crc/benefits-and-disability-assistance for online sources of information. The Cancer Resource Center at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center also suggests that specific questions about health insurance and disability benefits be directed to the social worker assigned to your oncology practice.
Breast Cancer Emergency Fund: 415-558-6999 or http://www.bcef-sf.org/ Yearly grant of $600 for women in San Francisco with disabling breast cancer meeting income requirements.
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC): http://www.cancerfac.org/ Website providing information and links to organizations that offer financial assistance for cancer patients.
Cleaning For A Reason Foundation: www.cleaningforeason.org This nonprofit offers free professional housecleaning and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing any type of cancer treatment.
East Bay Breast Cancer Emergency Fund: 510-420-7900
- The Women's Cancer Resource Center provides a yearly $500 grant.
Shanti Lifelines: 415-674-4781 or www.shanti.org/lifelines Services for underserved San Francisco residents with breast cancer.
- financial assistance
- meals
- transportation
- care navigation
- volunteers
- wellness workshops
- nature outings
- resource library
- referrals
Project Open Hand — Breast Cancer Program: 1-800- 551-6325 or www.openhand.org Serving San Francisco and Alameda counties.
- Meal delivery or free groceries for women with breast cancer experiencing side effects from treatment who could benefit from nutrition/food assistance.
Ui'lani Fund: 831-454-1223 or www.uilanifund.org/home $1000 grant to women with breast cancer in Bay Area, Santa Cruz County and Hawaii to obtain complementary treatments. Application and MD letter required. Payment made directly to provider.
Clinical Trials
BreastCancerTrials.org: www.breastcancertrials.org
- Learn about the benefits of taking part in a clinical trial, and the questions to ask before you do.
- Matching service to find trials that might be right for you.
- Preview all trials by browsing our listings.
Complementary Medicine
Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, Oakland and San Francisco: 510-601-7660 (intake for both clinics) or www.charlottemaxwell.org Complementary treatments (acupuncture, massage, Chinese and Western herbs, homeopathy, massage therapy, and therapeutic imagery) provided to low-income/underserved women with breast cancer, free or sliding-scale.
Osher Center at UCSF: 415-353-7700 or http://www.osher.ucsf.edu
- Complementary treatment provided on a fee basis
- Some services covered by insurance
- Financial assistance application available
- Some free workshops such as weekly relaxation/meditation class every Monday
Health Insurance
Cancer Advocacy: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/publications/insurance.pdf
- Types of health insurance
- Your rights and their limits
- Using your health coverage
- Where to find help and information
Resource Centers
Women's Cancer Resource Center, Oakland CA: 510-420-7900 or www.wcrc.org
- Education
- Support groups
- Cultural and healing arts workshops
- Financial assistance
Breast Cancer Connections, Palo Alto, CA: 650- 326-6686 or www.bcconnections.org
- Support groups
- Practical help
- Buddy program
- Personalized research
- Screening and diagnostics
- Complementary therapies
- Counseling
- Friends and family
- Workshops
Cancer Support Community, Walnut Creek, CA: 925-933-0107 or www.cancersupportcommunity.org Support and education programs for those newly diagnosed through survivorship, for patients and families.
Sexuality and Intimacy
Sueann Mark, Ph.D, Clinical Sexologist: 415-573-7395 or www.drsueannmark.com Dr. Mark specializes in the unique needs of women with breast cancer, from newly diagnosed to long-term survivors. A breast cancer survivor herself, offering her expertise in human sexuality and specifically the sexual impact of cancer treatments.
Symptom Management
National Lymphedema Network: 510-208-3110 or www.lymphnet.org
News, Journals, Magazines
American Journal of Nursing: http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline
BreastCancer.net www.breastcancer.net Links to breast cancer stories along with an archive of 3,100+ cancer-related news items. BCN also produces a news digest delivered several times a week via email.
CR magazine: www.crmagazine.org
Cure Today: www.curetoday.com
MAMM magazine: www.mamm.com
- Articles about wellness and other survivorship topics
- Event calendar
- Support group listing
New England Journal of Medicine: www.nejm.org One of the world's most distinguished medical journals, it can be searched by title, topic, or author, 1990-Present.
Suggested Books
100 Questions & Answers About Life After Cancer: A Survivor' Guide, by Page Tolbert and Penny Damaskos
Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A Survivor's Guide For When Treatment Ends and The Rest of Your Life Begins, by Marisa C. Weiss M.D. and Ellen Weiss
After Breast Cancer: Answers to the Questions You're Afraid to Ask, by Musa Mayer
Activist Organizations
National Breast Cancer Coalition: www.natlbcc.org The nation's largest breast cancer advocacy group with more than 600 member organizations and 70,000 individual members and supporters.
