Established in 1964, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) is the health care professionals’ organization committed to improving health through the study, prevention, diagnosis, and management of lower genital tract disorders.
CancerCare operates the AVONCares Program for Medically Underserved Women, which provides financial assistance to low-income, under- and uninsured, underserved women throughout the country who need supportive services (transportation, child care, and home care) related to the treatment of breast and cervical cancers. CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Services are provided by oncology social workers and are available in person, over the telephone, and through the agency’s Web site. CancerCare’s reach also extends to professionals—providing education, information, and assistance. A section of the CancerCare Web site and some publications are available in Spanish, and staff can respond to calls and e-mails in Spanish.
Gilda’s Club Worldwide works with communities to start and maintain local Gilda’s Clubs, which provide social and emotional support to cancer patients, their families, and friends. Lectures, workshops, support and networking groups, special events, and children’s programs are offered. Services are available in Spanish.
The HERS Foundation is an independent non-profit international women's health education organization. It provides information about hysterectomy, its adverse effects and consequences, as well as suggested alternative treatments.
Jo's Trust is an online information and counselling service dedicated to women with cervical cancer, their family and friends." The site offers free, confidential medical advice from experts and counselors. It also includes general information, news, events, frequently asked questions, and bulletin boards.
The LBBC is an educational organization that aims to empower women living with breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. The LBBC offers an interactive message board and information about upcoming conferences and teleconferences on its Web site. In addition, the organization has a toll-free Survivors’ Helpline, a Young Survivors’ Network for women diagnosed with breast cancer who are age 45 or younger, and outreach programs for medically underserved communities. The LBBC also offers a quarterly educational newsletter and a book for African American women living with breast cancer.
This is a virtual resource center for health issues concerning Asian-American women and their families. The NAWHO is working to improve the health status of Asian women and families through research, education, leadership, and public policy programs. They have resources for Asian women in English, Cantonese, Laotian, Vietnamese, and Korean. Publications on subjects such as reproductive rights, breast and cervical cancer, and tobacco control are available.
The NBCC is a breast cancer advocacy group that educates and trains individuals to become advocates who effectively influence public policies that affect breast cancer research and treatment. It also promotes breast cancer research, and works to improve access to high-quality breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for all women.
The National Lymphedema Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1988 to provide education and guidance to lymphedema patients, health care professionals and the general public by disseminating information on the prevention and management of primary and secondary lymphedema. Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arm(s) and/or leg(s), and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired (primary), or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed (secondary).
The NOCC raises awareness about ovarian cancer and promotes education about this disease. They have a toll-free telephone number for information, referral, support, and education about ovarian cancer. They also offer support groups, a database of gynecologic oncologists searchable by state, and educational materials. A limited selection of Spanish-language publications is available.
The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) is a federally-funded information resource on women’s health offering free women’s health information on more than 800 topics through a call center and web site. By phone (in English and Spanish) or via this web site you can find:
The not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is an independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. Information about cancer is available, but is more general in scope, a good place to begin the education process.
The Alliance works to increase public and professional understanding of ovarian cancer and to advocate for research to determine more effective ways to diagnose, treat, and cure this disease. The Alliance distributes informational materials; sponsors an annual advocacy conference for survivors and families; advocates on the issues of cancer to the ovarian cancer community; and works with women’s groups, seniors, and health professionals to increase awareness of ovarian cancer.
SHARE is a twenty-nine year old not for profit organization offering survivor-led support to those affected by breast or ovarian cancer to ensure that no one faces breast or ovarian cancer alone. Drawing on their own experiences, cancer survivors help others address the many emotional and practical issues that arise from a cancer diagnosis. SHARE empowers individuals and communities to advocate for increased access to care, improved treatment modalities and quality of and increased research funding. SHARE’s services include hotlines in English and Spanish, with capacity in 12 other languages, support groups, wellness programs.
Sisters Network seeks to increase local and national attention to the impact that breast cancer has in the African American community. All chapters are run by breast cancer survivors and receive volunteer assistance from community leaders and associate members. The services provided by Sisters Network include individual/group support, community education, advocacy, and research. The national headquarters serves as a resource and referral base for survivors, clinical trials, and private/government agencies. Teleconferences are held to update chapters with the latest information and share new ideas. An educational brochure designed for underserved women is available. In addition, a national African American breast cancer survivors’ newsletter is distributed to survivors, medical facilities, government agencies, organizations, and churches nationwide.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment. This organization operates a national toll-free breast cancer helpline (1–800–I’M AWARE) that is answered by trained volunteers whose lives have been personally touched by breast cancer. Breast health and breast cancer materials, including pamphlets, brochures, booklets, posters, videos, CD-ROMs, fact sheets, and community outreach materials, are available. Staff can respond to calls in Spanish, and some publications are available in Spanish.
The Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization provides information and support to anyone who has been touched by breast cancer. Y-ME serves women with breast cancer and their families through a national hotline (available 24 hours a day), open-door groups, early detection workshops, and support programs. Numerous local chapter offices are located throughout the United States. A section of the Y-ME Web site, a toll-free hotline, and publications are available in Spanish.
EyesOnThePrize.org is an online support and information website for women with gynecological cancers including: cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, vulvar, and gestational. Features include extensive links and FAQ sections and an "ask the pros" service (submit questions to obstetricians, oncologists, and nurse practitioners.)
This national support program is for breast cancer patients and contact is through face-to-face visits or by phone. The program helps breast cancer patients meet the physical, emotional, and cosmetic needs related to their disease and its treatment. Reach to Recovery volunteers give support for:
Volunteers are trained to give support and up-to-date information, including literature for spouses, children, friends, and other loved ones. Volunteers can also, when appropriate, provide breast cancer patients with a temporary breast form and information on types of permanent prostheses, as well as lists of where those items are available within a patient’s community. No products are endorsed. For more information or to locate a Reach to Recovery program in your area, visit "In My Community" on the ACS web site (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/COM/COM_0.asp) to search for resources close to your zipcode, or call them toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345.
ENCOREPlus is the YWCA’s discussion and exercise program for women who have had breast cancer surgery. It is designed to help restore physical strength and emotional well-being. A local branch of the YWCA, listed in the telephone directory, can provide more information about ENCOREPlus.