‘YOU have breast cancer” is one of the scariest sentences in the English language. I know, because last October I heard those words when I was diagnosed with the disease, which attacks roughly 180,000 women a year.
From that moment on, I was thrown into a world of new information, decisions and doctors. I was afraid, overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn.
But as I was soon to learn, there’s plenty of help out there.
During my treatment, I discovered numerous resources that I wish I’d had when starting my journey, so I wanted to share them with Post readers.
* SUPPORT: Breast Cancer Network of Strength has YourShoes, the only 24/7 hot line where peer counselors are available to answer your questions any time of the day or night. Details at 800-221-2141, networkof-
strength.org.
The not-for-profit organization Share offers survivor-led support for women with breast or ovarian cancer through hot lines (in English, Spanish and 12 other languages), group gatherings, wellness programs and educational forums. Details at 866-891-2392, sharecancersupport.org. For the NYC Breast Cancer Hotline: 212-382-2111.
CancerCare provides free support services – including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help from professional oncology social workers – to anyone affected by cancer. Details at 800-813-HOPE, cancercare.org.
Gilda’s Club of New York City is a meeting place for people living with cancer. Family and friends also are welcome. The club offers exercise and nutrition classes, support groups, lectures and workshops. The Manhattan club is also home to Noogieland, where children and parents with cancer can do arts and crafts, play games or enjoy a Halloween party on Oct. 30. Located at 195 W. Houston St.; 212-647-9700, gildasclubnyc.org.
* WIGS: CancerCare gives free wigs and prostheses to cancer patients. Ask about upcoming fitting workshops and Day of Beauty clinics. Details at 212-712-8400, cancercare.org.
The American Cancer Society offers cancer patients new wigs, hats and scarves for free. Located at 132 W. 32nd St.; 212-237-3812 (800-ACS-2345 outside Manhattan), cancer.org.
* BEAUTY: Look Good . . . Feel Better provides trained cosmetologists to teach women going through radiation or chemotherapy how to cope with changes in skin and hair caused by treatment. All participants receive a free, fully stocked cosmetic kit. Classes are held Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave. Details at 212-639-5665, lookgoodfeelbetter.org.
* EXERCISE: The Libby Ross Foundation and OM Yoga Center offer free weekly yoga classes for breast cancer survivors. Classes run from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at OM Yoga, 826 Broadway; 212-831-9592, thelibbyrossfoundation.com.
The Comprehensive Breast Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center has a variety of wellness classes in aerobics, yoga, water exercise and meditation on the Upper West Side. For additional information,
e-mail Joan Deignan at
jdeignan@chpnet.org.
* ART: The Creative Center offers cancer patients and survivors free workshops in the visual, literary and performing arts, including creative writing, jewelry design, photography, origami and more. The center also exhibits student works in its downtown gallery. Located at 273 Bowery; 646-465-5313, thecreativecenter.org.