FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 1 Foreword The Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center are pleased to provide this Breast Health Resource Directory. The directory contains information on breast health, breast cancer and a comprehensive listing of breast cancer resources. This directory is free of charge and also is available on our web sites in a searchable database at www.komen-houston.org and www.mdanderson.org. The mission of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. The Komen Houston Affiliate, established in 1990, provides breast health education and funding to Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery Counties. Since our inception, the Affiliate has awarded $12.4 million in grants for breast cancer education, screening and treatment. In addition, we have raised more than $4.1 million for breast cancer research. The Komen Houston Affiliate is committed to finding a cure for breast cancer and to ensuring that no individual with breast cancer goes untreated. We believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. The Komen Houston Affiliate provides grants to organizations that help uninsured and medically underserved individuals access life-saving breast cancer treatment. The Affiliate educates the community about breast health and early detection. Our Speakers Bureau provides trained volunteers for corporations, professional groups, schools and clubs to speak about breast health awareness and the life-saving message of early detection. To schedule an educational presentation, call (713) 783-9188. The Komen Houston Affiliate raises funds in a variety of ways including the Komen Houston Race for the Cure® which is held every fall, the Pink Tie Gala, memorials and honorariums, memberships and general donations. Seventy-five percent of the net funds raised stay in the local community for breast health education, screening and treatment. The remaining twenty-five percent funds breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Award and Research Grant Program. To learn more about how to apply for a grant or get involved in the Affiliate, visit our website at www.komen-houston.org. If breast cancer is caught early when it is confined to the breast, the survival rate is greater than 95 percent. More and more women are not only surviving breast cancer but are thriving. If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, we hope this directory will help you in your journey. Dora Klaff, President Michele Ostrander, Executive Director Houston Affiliate of Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Susan G. Komen for the Cure FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 2 Table of Contents HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY page 1 SECTION 1: BREAST HEALTH CARE Breast Health Basics page 3 Breast Self-Exam page 8 Mammography Facilities page 10 Genetic Counseling and Testing page 24 SECTION 2: DIAGNOSIS Breast Biopsy and Hormone Receptors page 26 Staging page 28 SECTION 3: TREATMENT Types of Treatment page 31 Treatment byStage page 37 Hospitals page 40 Breast Reconstruction page 86 Clinical Trials page 89 Complementary and Integrative Medicine page 91 SECTION 4: AFTER TREATMENT Prostheses and Products page 93 Home Health Care page 95 Hospice Programs page 96 SECTION 5: SUPPORT GROUPS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES Support Resources page 99 Community Services page 109 Caregiver Information page 115 SECTION 6: GLOSSARY AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Information Resources page 116 Glossary of Terms page 118 SECTION 7: INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL page 129 ORDER FORM page 135 IN CLOSING page 136 FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 1 How to Use this Directory Breast health resources within the greater Houston area are listed in this directory. Each section also includes helpful questions to ask the doctor. Use the Table of Contents to locate page numbers for specific sections. Directory contents include the following sections: SECTION 1: BREAST HEALTH CARE Breast Health Basics: Information on breast cancer risk factors, early detection, types of health care providers and what to do if you have concerns about breast health. Breast Self-Exam: Instructions, including illustrations, on how to perform a breast self-exam. Mammography Facilities: Facilities within the greater Houston area, excluding hospitals. Genetic Counseling and Testing: Information on populations that may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. SECTION 2: DIAGNOSIS Breast Biopsy and Hormone Receptors: Information on how breast cancer is diagnosed. Staging : Information on how breast cancer is categorized. SECTION 3: TREATMENT Types of Treatment: Explanations about different breast cancer treatments. Treatment by Stage: Explanations about different breast cancer treatments organized by stage of disease. Hospitals: Specific information on services offered by hospitals within the greater Houston area. Breast Reconstruction: Information on the types of breast reconstruction. Clinical Trials: Information on clinical trials, including how to participate. Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Information describing complementary and integrative medicine and its uses. 3 1 FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 2 SECTION 4: AFTER TREATMENT Prostheses and Products: Information on where to find prostheses or products within the greater Houston area. Home Health Care: Organizations to contact for local home health care services. Hospice Programs: Programs within the greater Houston area. SECTION 5: SUPPORT GROUPS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES Support Resources: Information on support groups and other helpful coping resources. Community Services: Services and information provided by state and local breast cancer-related organizations. Caregiver Information: Information on ways caregivers and family members can support a breast cancer patient. SECTION 6: GLOSSARY AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Information Resources: List of books and other resources that includes general information about breast cancer and its treatment, coping, personal stories, risks, and support for family and friends. Glossary of Terms: Medical terms commonly encountered in confronting breast cancer and/or pursuing breast health care. SECTION 7: INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL Información de la salud del pecho, así como una lista de las organizaciones de la ayuda y de servicios que sirven a la comunidad de habla hispana. SURVIVOR SENTIMENTS "What I call the four 'Fs' got me through my year of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries - Faith, Family, Friends and Physicians. One does get one's priorities straight while fighting cancer." Ann 17-year survivor 4 2 FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 3 Breast Health Basics Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Thankfully, the number of women who die from breast cancer is declining, but the battle is not over. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 40,000 women and 400 men will still die from the disease this year. An individual's best chance for surviving breast cancer is detecting it early, when it is most easily treated. Following is basic breast health information that every woman should know. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of breast cancer may vary from woman to woman. Women should examine their breasts monthly so that they know what feels and looks normal for them. Many cancers are found by regular mammography after age 40 - before any symptoms are felt. Symptoms include: lump or mass in the breast enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit changes in breast size, shape, skin texture or color skin redness dimpling or puckering nipple changes or discharge scaliness nipple pulling to one side or a change in direction RISK FACTORS All women are at risk for breast cancer, and that risk increases with age. Women with a family history of breast cancer have an increased risk; however, the majority of breast cancers occur in women who do not have a family history. Many factors may influence the development of breast cancer, including: Age: Most cases of breast cancer occur in women 50 or older; it is less common in women 35 or younger. Age is the most influential risk factor. Family history: A woman's risk for breast cancer increases with a family history (especially mother, sister or daughter) of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Hormones / childbirth: A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if she had her first period before age 12, began menopause after age 55, never had children or had her first child after age 30. Postmenopausal use of hormone replacement therapy increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. 3 FinalPDFLayout.qxp 9/6/2007 11:06 AM Page 4 Previous biopsy: If a woman has had abnormal breast biopsy results or benign breast diseases requiring biopsies, her risks may increase. Other breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia, and lobular or ductal carcinoma in situ are risk factors too. Education / socioeconomic status: Women with a higher socioeconomic status and/or education level tend to have fewer children and start childbearing after age 30 - both of which put them at higher risk. Weight: Women who gain weight or are obese after menopause are at increased risk. Genetic alterations: Inherited susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for about five to 10 percent of all breast cancer cases and may be a risk factor. Other risk factors: Oral contraceptive use, high-fat diet, physical inactivity and alcohol (more than one alcoholic drink a day) are additional risk factors for breast cancer. SCREENING EXAMS Not all breast lumps or symptoms are breast cancer. However, any change from the normal feel or appearance of the breast, or unusual discharge, should be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible (see page 28 for more information). A small number of breast cancers have no distinct mass or lump, such as inflammatory breast cancer, so women should be familiar with all breast cancer symptoms.