Treatment and Complementary Therapies
Treatment
- National Cancer Institute Publications
Available online or by calling (800) 422-6237 - What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer
This booklet on breast cancer discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. Includes glossary of terms and other resources. - Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment: A Guide for Patients
This booklet was written for women diagnosed with breast cancer. It is designed to assist women and their families in understanding their diagnosis, and the various treatment options for breast cancer. It suggests questions to ask the doctor and identifies other resources for more information. - Taking Part in Clinical Trials - What Cancer Patients Need to Know
Available by calling (800) 422-6237 This booklet responds to three questions: what are clinical trials, what happens in a clinical trial, and should I take part in a clinical trial? The first two sections provide background information, while the third is designed to help cancer patients determine if they want to participate in a clinical trial. It suggests questions to ask the doctor and identifies other resources for more information. - Questions and Answers About Breast Calcifications
Available by calling (800) 422-6237 This brochure defines micro and macro calcifications, detection, and biopsy. - American Cancer Society Publications
Available by calling (800) 227-2345 - Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients - Version V
This booklet, produced collaboratively by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), provides cancer treatment information for the layperson, and is designed to help patients better understand breast cancer treatment. Available by calling ACS at (800) 227-2345 or NCCN at (888) 909-6226. The guidelines are also available on the NCCN Website. - Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy
English & Spanish
This booklet is designed to give breast cancer patients the facts necessary to make an informed decision about breast reconstruction. - What Every Woman Facing Breast Cancer Should Know About Lymphedema
A booklet which gives an overview of lymphedema, how to reduce swelling after surgery, how to prevent and control lymphedema, how to care for cuts and burns, and what the signs of lymphedema are. - Lumpectomy: A Patient Guide
Available by calling (800) 227-2345 This booklet explains lumpectomy as a patient choice. Topics covered include: diagnosis and treatment, practical information after surgery, follow-up care, communication, insurance, resources, and more. - Lymphedema Alert Bracelets and Necklaces
Breast cancer survivors can take basic precautions to avoid the discomfort and physical limitations of lymphedema. NLN (see above) suggests everyday use of non-allergenic, stainless steel lymphedema alert bracelets and necklaces to warn providers not to treat the affected arm. This Web site link provides information and ordering information. - Medline PLUS Health Information Breast Cancer Page
MEDLINE plus' Breast Cancer page is intended for both patients and health professionals with medical questions about breast cancer. Available in English and Spanish, it provides access to extensive information about breast cancer and treatment. The site also offers audiovisual educational programs on breast cancer. - Peninsula Medical Inc.
Medical Alert Bands Peninsula Medical, Inc. offers free disposable lymphedema medical alert extremity bands as an alternative to medical alert jewelry. Useful in a hospital or outpatient setting, the hot pink bands bring desired attention to the at-risk extremity. The bands, similar to those worn to identify patients with allergies, are particularly helpful for protecting sedated or anesthetized patients.
Complementary Therapies
- Complementary & Alternative Methods - American Cancer Society (ACS)
ACS's website on complementary and alternative methods of cancer treatment. Includes a listing of ACS designated "reputable" websites that provide information on alternative and complementary therapies. - Diana Dyer, MS, RD Cancer and Nutrition Specialist Homepage
Diana Dyer, a clinical dietitian who has survived cancer three times (breast cancer twice), designed her Web site to counsel cancer patients on nutrition and diet by offering her perspectives on various complementary approaches to improve the quality of life in cancer patients. Her book "A Dietitian's Cancer Story: Information and Inspiration for Recovery and Healing," focuses on breast cancer and is a compilation of nutrition information and complementary therapies and is available from the Web site in English and Spanish. - National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
The NCCAM Web site serves as a clearinghouse for scientifically based information on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The site includes publications, information for researchers, frequently asked questions, and links to other CAM-related resources. Databases located on the NCCAM Web site include: CAM on PubMed, a subset of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed, which provides access to complementary and alternative medicine journal citations; and CHID (the Combined Health Information Database), a reference tool to find patient education materials. - University of Texas MD Anderson Complementary/ Integrative Medicine Education Resource (CIMER)
MD Anderson's Complementary/ Integrative Medicine Education Resource (CIMER) Web site presents information on the scientific evaluations of biopharmacologic and herbal therapies as well as innovative approaches to cancer treatment, with summaries provided in English and Spanish. Information on educational programs and conferences on complementary/ integrative medicine are also found here.
