American Cancer Society:  A nation-wide, community based voluntary health organization.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure:  In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

The Wellness Community (TWC) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and mind-body classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope, regardless of the stage of their disease. Today, there 21 Wellness Communities around the United States plus 43 satellite and off-site programs, two centers abroad in Tel Aviv and Tokyo, five centers in development, and a community online at The Virtual Wellness Community.

When Cancer Returns
#05-2709, 2005. A free pamphlet on recurrence, from the National Cancer Institute. Call 1-800-4-CANCER. As a point of departure, this pamphlet touches on many of the major issues metastatic breast cancer patients will face.

I Still Buy Green Bananas:
Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
This free pamphlet is available through www.y-me.org or at 1-800-221-2141.

Mayer, Musa. Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease,
(Sebastopol, O’Reilly, 1998). A comprehensive book on advanced breast cancer that discusses medical treatments, social and emotional issues through the stories of 17 women with metastatic disease.

CancerCare Assist
1-800-813-4673
CancerCare is an organization for people with all types of cancer. The  CancerCare Assist program specifically helps with financial issues. They also have a helpful informational sheet called “Tips on Finding Financial Assistance,” which is available on their Web site. The financial assistance program offers application forms on their web site.

Cleveland Clinic

Early detection of breast abnormalities through regular breast screenings is the key to maintaining breast health and reducing your chance of breast cancer. Regular screening includes performing monthly breast self-exams, getting annual breast physical exams from your physician and following the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for mammography.

National Breast Cancer Coalition and Fund (NBCCF)
1-800-622-2838
This advocacy group offers a helpful guide to finding affordable care called "Guide to Quality Breast Cancer Care — Finding Affordable Care."

Making Memories
An organization that provides the opportunity for advanced breast cancer patients to fulfill a dream or wish.

SUPPORT GROUPS AND HOTLINES

The Wellness Community
1-888-793-WELL
Provides free emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones in 21 facilities nationwide and online at The Virtual Wellness Community. Call toll free or visit the web site for support group registration.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)
1-888-753-LBBC (5222)
Provides education and support, including a toll-free Survivors’ Helpline staffed by trained volunteers affected by breast cancer. Callers can be matched to women in similar circumstances.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
1-800-221-2141
Y-ME’s 24/7 Hotline is staffed by trained breast cancer survivors with interpreters in 150 languages. When you call the Y-ME Hotline, you can request to be paired with a peer counselor who had the same diagnosis, is the same age or has experienced similar challenges as you.

Online support
A web site created by breast cancer advocate and author MusaMayer, offering resource information for people living with advanced breast cancer.

www.bcmets.org
A web site devoted entirely to women with advanced disease and offering listservs where you can sign up for free to share information and support.

breastcancer.org
Discussion board for women with recurrence/metastatic disease.

CLUB-METS-BC Mailing List
Mailing list for metastatic breast cancer patients and caregivers only.

IBC Support mailing list and web page
Mailing list for inflammatory breast cancer support and information.

Young Survival Coalition Bulletin Board
1-877-YSC-1011
Support for young women with metastatic disease.

FORCE
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered — support for women and families who may have a BRCA mutation that increases the risk for developing breast cancer.