Breast Cancer Support Groups in Verona, Cedar Grove
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here's a list of local breast cancer support groups.
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One in eight American women and 1 in 1,000 American men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It’s estimated more than two million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year.
Breast cancer is difficult to face alone — for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups.
Women, Inspiring, Nurturing, Giving Strength (WINGS) is a breast cancer support group that meets at the Verona Community Center, 880 Bloomfield Ave.
On Tuesday, Oct. 30 the group will have a Healing Kitchen event to demonstrate cancer-fighting foods.
“Karen Feldman will discuss strategies for short-cutting and streamlining anti-cancer food transitions you may be striving towards,” the group said in a written statement. “She will demonstrate specific recipes and tips, and also discuss favorite authors, cooks and influences, as well as share her path to discoveries.”
To register for WINGS programs call (973) 400-9529 or email wingscancerhelp@gmail.com.
“Support groups are really beneficial,” says Debra Somerrs Copit, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and a member of the medical advisory board for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
“When patients are told they’re sick, it can be an out of body experience and they aren’t taking in everything the doctor is saying. It can be helpful to have someone to turn to and learn from who has gone through the same thing,” said Copit, who is a breast cancer survivor herself.
Not only do groups offer emotional support, but being a part of a support group can actually help patients feel less depressed and can help to reduce physical pain, according to a 2001 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients who aren’t big fans of group settings but still want to reap the benefits can turn to technology. It’s hard to duplicate in-person support groups on the web, but the recently launched breast cancer specific social networking platform, MyBreastCancerTeam comes close.
The site and mobile app caters to breast cancer survivors, and women who have been recently diagnosed. Users can find suggestions for doctors and find similar users based on location, diagnosis and age. Members also have access to peer-driven Q&A section where they can read and write posts.
While a web platform may be useful for some, Copit worries online forums can sometimes trigger the spread of misinformation. She suggests patients who can’t make it to an in-person support group try calling a phone line.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer has a confidential survivors’ helpline that connects patients with others of similar background, going through similar situation. Call (888) 753-LBBC (5222) for more information.
Other local and national breast cancer support groups include:
Essex Women's Health Center in Montclair.
Women's Health Services at St. Joseph's Healthcare System.
Cancer Survivorship J.C.C. In West Orange
Cancer Center of St. Barnabas in Livingston
Breast Cancer Center of Atlantic Health Care at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair
North Jersey Chapter of The Susan G. Komen Foundation
Young Survival Coalition: (212) 206-6610
Cancer Support Community: (202) 659-9709
TELL US: Do you know of any breast cancer support groups in the community? How have they helped you?
