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Coping with Your Diagnosis

Women who have survived cancer.

Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult for anyone. It is natural to have fears about what is happening to your body and what your new "normal" will look like and feel like.

After surgery, especially for mastectomy patients, the anticipation of what to expect when your dressings are removed can be overwhelming. Looking at your scar can be a difficult first step. Some women feel best taking this first step at home. This is a very personal decision. You might feel you want to be alone, or that you need a family member or close friend there with you for support. For the first look, it may be easier looking down at it, rather than looking at yourself in a mirror.

Below is a list of reputable online resources that can help with coping with breast cancer:

Helpful Patient Resources

National Cancer Institute

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping

Cancer.Net
(Information that is oncologist-approved from the American Society of Clinical Oncology)

www.cancer.net

My Breast Cancer Coach

www.mybreastcancercoach.org

Cancer Hope Network
(1:1 Phone support)

www.cancerhopenetwork.org

Caring Bridge
(Helps to keep your loved ones and friends informed about your cancer journey)

www.caringbridge.org

CURE®
(Cancer magazine for patients)

www.curetoday.com

LiveStrong Foundation

www.livestrong.org

MyLifeLine
(Personal cancer support website)

www.mylifeline.org

CancerCare
(Free professional support services including counseling, social work, support groups and financial assistance)

www.cancercare.org

Cancer Support Community
(Providing educational information and support resources; Frankly Speaking series)

www.cancersupportcommunity.org

Caring Connections

www.caringinfo.org

Journey Forward
(Tools to empower yourself on your journey i.e. symptom logs, care plan builder and education)

www.journeyforward.org

Life Beyond Cancer Foundation

www.lifebeyondcancer.org