Abstract ADV03: My breast cancer yellow brick road.

Abstract

Abstract From DCIS, stage 0 breast cancer, to invasive recurrence four years later, to Stage IV spread eight years after that, and now living with advanced breast cancer since 2000, I have traveled the winding path of researching, support groups, consultations, treatment and therapies. My road is not one solid concrete walkway. One organization cannot do it all: research innovative technologies and signaling cellular pathology; provide funding for research grants; support patients and families; meet financial needs as they arise. I started on this winding road when I questioned my route and I tiptoed gingerly at first, then raced along, often stumbling, to physicians and organizations that could make a difference and help me with my decisions. ACS's Reach to Recovery mission "…dedicated to eliminating cancer…by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service" and "to assist people with breast cancer throughout the continuum of their disease experience." Linda Creed Foundation, working hand and hand with the National Breast Cancer Coalition whose mission has become curing breast cancer by 2020, lobbies full force making yellow bricks stronger, funding major innovative and costly research, for consumer-advocate input on review panels for grants from Department of Defense. Metastic Breast Cancer Network's mission "to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer by putting a public face on the metastatic experience (and) give those living with Stage IV disease a greater voice and visibility in the breast cancer and research communities as well as the public at large," provides education and information on treatments and coping. My road includes other organizations that lovingly mold beautiful yellow bricks. The Cancer Support Community (formerly Gilda's Club and the Wellness Community) provides educational and emotional resources. The S.J. Cancer Fund's patient assistance mission addresses financial needs such as paying utility bills, transportation and medical co-pay bills, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer does anything and everything they can to help the breast cancer patient, from phone support for first timers or recurrent "survivors," to conferences, to special events providing companionship and letting women know they are not alone. Citation Format: Susan Axler. My breast cancer yellow brick road. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr ADV03. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-ADV03