The Virtual Woman: A Woman's
Weekly Guide To Cyberspace
Pink Ribbons Flying In Cyberspace
I never know what month it is I'm 'sposed to get melancholy. Would it be in June when my friend Kris died, January when she was born or October when we're all to "celebrate" Breast Cancer month? Back five years ago her death took the wind outta my 33 year old sails and I've never been the same. No one is. Nothing sucks worse in this world. Kris was wonderful and life is brutally unfair-both points were pounded into me but good. I remember the day before Kris died. Her oncologist was sitting alone in the nurses station surreptitiously swatting away tears when no one was looking. Or so she thought. "Kris even got to her" I mused-a doctor who has basically seen it all. Personally, I'm grateful for breast cancer month, for the awareness it builds and for the formal excuse it gives me to focus on the topic and to think about my friend. So read on. This column offers you and your loved ones ways to find breast cancer help and information online.
Dear Virtual Woman:
I'm interested in learning more
about breast cancer, but I'm at a loss as to where to find accurate general information
that isn't too clinical. What are the best places on the Web for me to do some basic
research on the subject?
- Jill James, Miami
Dear Jill:
Sometimes too much information can definitely be overwhelming, especially with an important topic like this is. One of the best sites I've found for good basic information is the American Cancer Society's site found at http://www.cancer.org/. By clicking on the Cancer Information link on the left toolbar, then choosing Breast Cancer from the pull-down menu, you'll have a wealth of information at your fingertips. To start, the Breast Cancer Overview gives a very detailed explanation of the various types of breast cancer, how it spreads, possible causes and risk factors associated with the disease, treatment options, and more. If you have specific questions you'd like answered, be sure to visit the FAQ section as well as the Glossary link for a searchable database of terms associated with breast cancer.
Dear Virtual Woman:
I'm in my late twenties,
am physically fit, and lead a healthy lifestyle, but breast cancer runs in my family so
I'm a bit concerned about my risk potential. I know that early detection is important to
fight the disease successfully, but I've put off doing a self-exam so far because I'm
afraid of finding a lump (I know - bad reason!). I'm hoping you can lead me to a good site
that can teach me how to do a breast self-exam.
- Patty S., Boston, MA
Dear Patty:
It might make you feel better to know that your fears are actually quite common, so don't feel bad. Doing a self exam takes only minutes and considering your family history, those few minutes a month could literally save your life. The Why Me? Network (http://www.y-me.org/) is an excellent source for information and it also has instructions for doing a self exam. To get to this self-exam portion of the site directly point your browser to http://www.y-me.org/exam.html. The language is basic and easy to understand, and there are good graphics for you to look at to ensure you are doing each step correctly.
Dear Virtual Woman:
I am a breast cancer survivor
and although my friends and family members are doing their best to be supportive, I think
it would be beneficial for me to interact with other women who have gone through the same
things that I have. Are there any sites on the Internet that can help me find a breast
cancer support group?
- Janet Lange, Minneapolis, MN
Dear Janet:
Congratulations on being a survivor and best wishes for continued good health. Most breast cancer organizations realize the importance of a strong support network, so you should be able to find a group near you to participate in. At NABCO's (National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations) online site found at http://www.nabco.org/support, there is a huge database of support groups that are divided alphabetically by state. If you don't find one there that you are interested in joining, go to Avon's site at http://www.pmedia.com/Avon/support.html for similar listings. In addition to the nationwide support groups listed on these sites, you can also subscribe to an, by all accounts, an excellent breast cancer electronic mail discussion group, which is an unmoderated discussion list open to anyone who wants to talk about absolutely any issues relating to breast cancer. To subscribe to the list, send an email to: Listserv@morgan.ucs.mun.ca. (Your message can contain anything in the subject line, but must only contain the following words in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE BREAST-CANCER followed by your first and last name.)
Happy Surfing!
Find these links and more at WWWomen.Com (http://www.wwwomen.com) the web's largest search directory of topics for women online. Email the Virtual Woman with your Internet questions or send snailmail to: WWWomen.Com, Attn: Virtual Woman, 3701 Geary Blvd., #325, S.F., CA 94118. Copyright, 1998-99. WWWomen, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Contributing Editor: Mary Bergner
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