Breast Cancer Support & Survivorship
Local resources and support for breast cancer patients
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Resources for Supporting Someone with Breast Cancer
The Joseph M. and Thelma Linsey BreastCare Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides comprehensive, compassionate support for those with breast cancer.
Support services are a crucial component to getting and staying well — for you, your family, friends and caregivers. These resources may help:
- Support groups dedicated to people diagnosed with breast cancer. We can connect you with support groups here at BIDMC or in your local community. There are support groups for people who are newly diagnosed, as well as groups for during and after treatment.
- Lotsa Helping Hands, an online private group calendar to organize and coordinate helpers.
Lean on the BreastCare Center
A new diagnosis of breast cancer can lead to many questions, concerns, and fears. Our BreastCare Center staff is here to discuss any of those with you. Specifically, we can help in these and other areas related to your diagnosis:
- Talking with family and friends
- Telling children
- Working and communicating with your healthcare team
- Understanding how the hospital system works
- Managing work or school
- Managing emotions
- Concerns about sexuality or intimacy
- Managing hair loss
- Changes in your physical appearance
- Help with finances
- Questions about medical insurance coverage
- Questions about disability insurance
- Getting help at home
- Transportation resources
- Temporary housing in Boston
- Information about clinical trials
More About Breast Cancer Support & Survivorship
Take Sail focuses on improving your personal experience of living with, through, and beyond breast cancer. You will meet with a specially trained caregiver who will work with you on these and other issues:
- Review your cancer treatments and answer your questions
- Recommend strategies for coping with any lingering side effects
- Refer you to BIDMC specialists to help with symptoms or concerns
- Develop an annual plan that you can share with your primary care and oncology providers
- Serve as a communication resource for navigating your future needs and concerns
Take Sail is for patients who have received care at BIDMC, and who experience symptoms or have concerns during or after cancer treatment.
It's easy to feel helpless when someone you care about has cancer. And, it's normal to feel angry, worried, guilty, confused, or even resentful. In many cases, you may have to assume extra roles, such as caregiver of the patient, caregiver of children, sole financial supporter, and more.
It's important to take care of yourself and your needs as well. Some tips that may help:
- Say “yes” to offers of help from family and friends
- Give children achievable tasks so they feel that they're contributing
- Talk to others who understand what you're going through
- Do not strive for perfection
People who’ve had cancer treatment can have special concerns and elevated risks related to certain heart conditions. BIDMC heart experts are here for you.
We offer specialized care and support for young women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Additional Services
The BreastCare Center partners with resources throughout BIDMC to offer you and your family a full complement of supporting services during and after breast cancer treatment:
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Cancer Center
The Cancer Center is renowned for exceptional cancer care and for pioneering discoveries in cancer treatment.
Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute is an interdisciplinary center focused on understanding cancer with the goal of curing it.
Cancer Education & Training
The Cancer Center offers comprehensive education and training opportunities for residents, fellows and researchers.
