Resources for After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month , an annual campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer risks, the value of screening and early detection, and treatment options available to women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Few things are as scary as a cancer diagnosis. Many people describe a period of shock or numbness, when time slows down (or speeds up) as they struggle to wrap their brain around the path ahead. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, it can help to know that there are resources available to support you.

Resources for Those Recently Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Susan G. Komen Foundation – Recent Breast Cancer Diagnosis Page

Created by one of the most recognized organizations in the fight against breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer website has a useful collection of materials for patients who are just beginning their journey. It includes information about emotional support, how to understand medical jargon (like biopsy results and pathology reports), and questions to ask your insurance company as you consider treatment options.

National Breast Cancer Foundation – Beyond The Shock Guide

Beyond The Shock is a free, comprehensive, online guide to understanding breast cancer. It is a resource for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information. There is also an app, which makes it an ideal way to do research while you wait for an appointment or go through your daily life.

Tips for Balancing Work and Cancer Treatment

One of the under-discussed challenges of a cancer diagnosis is figuring out how to continue your life while pursuing treatment. Written by an expert from Cancer and Careers (a resource for working people with cancer), this article offers a clear introduction to how to think about your career moving forward.

FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card

No matter how good your insurance coverage is, at some point during your treatment it is likely that you will be paying some amount of money out-of-pocket for prescription medications. The Free FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card is exactly what it sounds like – a free program, available to everyone, that allows you to save money on your prescription drugs. To get started, sign up at FamilyWize.org . Then use your card or the app on your phone just like you would use a coupon at the pharmacy. To date, FamilyWize has helped over 10 million Americans save more than $1 billion on their prescription drugs, regardless of their insurance coverage. Taking a few minutes to sign up for a prescription discount card now could save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars down the road. Watch this video to hear Maryann Small share how FamilyWize helped her on her cancer journey.

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