Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, October 2007; written by Lisa Pearson.

October was National Breast Cancer Awareness month, so you probably saw pink ribbons around town and encountered news stories about breast cancer treatment and prevention. According to the American Cancer Society, 2 million American women have undergone treatment for breast cancer – and those women have families. What do you do when your wife, daughter or mother is diagnosed with breast cancer? How can you help her? What should you do, say, or not say? Millions of people have loved ones who have been diagnosed with cancer. If you are one of them, you may feel like you need advice. The library has a variety of resources that can assist you when your loved one is fighting cancer. We can help you help them.

“Aftershock: what to do when the doctor gives you--or someone you love--a devastating diagnosis” is by Jessie Gruman. She is a social psychologist who has devised a ten-step method for dealing with serious medical issues. She gives advice about how to get through the first couple of days after diagnosis, how to involve other family and friends, how to make sure you ask the right questions and make the right decisions, and how to deal with lifestyle changes. More than anything, this book will give patients and their families a checklist of issues to think about and activities to pursue while they are still absorbing new information.

“Breast cancer husband: how to help your wife (and yourself) through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond” is written by someone whose wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Marc Silver uses his experiences to speak directly to the husbands of breast cancer patients. He explains what to expect during the next few months: physically, emotionally, and mentally. He gives advice to men about how they can help their partner through her diagnosis and treatment, and he also explains how things will be different in their post-treatment life. Some of his information is about communication and shifting dynamics in the marriage, and some of the book deals with very practical matters: helping to shampoo your wife’s hair after she has had a mastectomy, cooking tips while she is undergoing chemotherapy (avoid favorite foods, stick to bland flavors), and how to tell your children about her cancer. This is an essential book to read if you are feeling overwhelmed by the new responsibilities of being a cancer patient’s spouse.

“Beyond flowers: what to say and do when someone you know has breast cancer” is a 50-minute DVD that helps friends, coworkers and family understand what their loved one is undergoing and how to make things easier for them. This film was made by Affinityfilms, which is based in Anchorage, and features Alaskan women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. It gives ideas and inspiration on the ways that people can be practical and emotional supporters and caregivers for women undergoing treatment. We also have the companion video: “Between us a first-aid kit for your heart & soul”, which addresses issues facing newly diagnosed cancer patients. It chronicles the experiences of women who made it through their cancer experience. The producer and director of these films, Mary Rosanne Katzke, is a breast cancer survivor herself, so these stories are told with compassion and understanding.

One of the newest books on our shelves is “Crazy sexy cancer tips” by Kris Carr. Carr was 31 when she was diagnosed with liver cancer, and this book is a chronicle of her experiences. Although this book does not deal with breast cancer, and it is geared towards the patient, rather than the family, it is a valuable new addition to our collection. Written in an irreverent, edgy style that will connect with younger cancer patients, it is a heartfelt, honest account of the emotional and physical experiences of a woman in the prime of life. It would be helpful reading for someone who has a young family member that is undergoing treatment, and inspirational for the patient themselves.

We have a wide range of cancer resources here at the library and we are always glad to help you find information. If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with cancer, we may have the information you need. And if a friend or coworker has a spouse with cancer, please give them this column, as well as your support.