Abstract: . . .  community to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, such as fatigue, nausea, compromised immune function, and hair loss. 48 There is also a study to see if cognitive effects such as memory loss and depression (the so-called chemo brain) result from hormonal therapy or chemotherapy itself, or from the situation of having a life-threatening disease. 49 The study also asks if sexual and emotional intimacy is affected by breast cancer treatment, and what kinds of support can be offered to survivors and their partners. What resources are available in your community? The American Cancer Society offers several resource programs for breast cancer patients and their families: Reach to Recovery Reach to Recovery is a volunteer visitation program comprised of breast cancer survivors trained to respond to the concerns of patients and their families facing the diagnosis, treatment, and effects of breast cancer . Patient and family education materials The Society provides booklets and information for breast cancer patients and their loved ones. I Can Cope This program consists of a series of educational classes for people with cancer , their families, and friends. Classes are designed to provide information about cancer diagnosis and treatment and to help participants cope with the physical and emotional challenges of cancer . Look Good…Feel Better This program helps cancer patients to develop skills to cope with changes in appearance and with side effects of cancer treatment such as dry skin and hair loss. “tlc” This is a magazine/catalog designed to provide medical information and special products such as hats, turbans, hairpieces, bras, prostheses, etc. for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and for breast cancer survivors. Hope Lodges Housing is provided in some areas by funds raised specifically to purchase a dwelling for use by patients and their families during treatment. There are currently 17 Hope Lodges in operation. For information about these programs, call the ACS National Call Center at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the ACS Web site at www. cancer .org. The National Call Center can also provide links to specific community services. Other sources of patient information and support include: Cancer Information Service of the NCI: 1-800-4- CANCER (www.nci.nih.gov) National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO): 212-889-0606 (www.nabco.org) National Breast Cancer Coalition: 202-296-7477, 1-800- 622-2838 (www.natlbcc.org) National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: 1-877-NCCS YES (www.cansearch.org) Susan G. Komen Foundation: 1-800-IM AWARE or 1-800-462-9273 (www.komen.org) Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization: 1-800-221- 2141 (www.y-me.org) YWCA Encore Plus Program: 1-800-95E PLUS (www.ywca.org/html/B4d1.asp) Page 18 What is the American Cancer Society doing about breast cancer ? The American Cancer Society is involved in the fight against breast cancer in many areas. Through its extra- mural research grants program, the Society currently . . .
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