With a month and a color assigned to all forms of cancer, one of the best known is October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are currently seeing pink everywhere we look. So here are some important facts about breast cancer.
There has been a lot of talk about hereditary cancer and the BRCA gene but approximately 80% - 85% of breast cancer is NOT hereditary; and only 5% to 10% of breast cancer patients have the BRCA gene. If you are wondering whether you are predisposed to hereditary breast cancer it is important to know the cancer history of both sides of your family, not just your mother’s. Then consult with a genetic counselor who can advise you about possible next steps.
Over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2010 in women in the US, but men can also get breast cancer. It is important to note that over 1,900 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 450 will die. It is important for men to pay attention if they detect a lump in their chest area and get it checked.
So what if you are diagnosed with breast cancer? We recommend you visit an accredited mastectomy boutique, such as Second Act, prior to your surgery. Meeting with a Certified Mastectomy Fitter gives you the chance to discuss the post-surgery garments that will make your transition easier. From the camisole you will wear home from the hospital to mastectomy bras, prostheses and wigs, Second Act can help you understand your options.
At that time you can also discuss what is covered by private insurance and Medicare. In fact, most post-surgery products are covered, not only for women recently diagnosed but also throughout a woman’s lifetime. At Second Act we not only explain these coverage issues, we also file all claims paperwork for our clients.
Having lost both of my parents to cancer; my father at age 55 and my mother in 2007 at age 82; in 2008 I discovered a passion that would become my life’s second act. That is why, after more than 30 years in advertising, I opened Second Act, downtown Chicago’s only accredited cancer recovery boutique offering wigs and post-breast surgery products, and dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of service. We recognize the anxiety and stress that accompany a cancer diagnosis and the questions that arise regarding products that address the after-effects of treatment. It is our mission to serve all our clients with dignity, confidentiality and compassion in a setting of privacy and calm.
We also embrace the cancer community and are actively involved with many non-profit organizations. Second Act was a sponsor of the 2009 and 2010 Komen Race for the Cure, the 2009 ACS Strides Against Breast Cancer, and we work closely with A Silver Lining Foundation and the Breast Cancer Network of Strength Mobile Salon, both of which reach out to the underserved in the community.
In the beginning, my goal was to create a business that would also be a helpful service to the community. I had no idea the rewards would go well beyond what I had envisioned. As I have often said, “This is the only business I know where a client walks in a stranger; scared, uncertain and apprehensive; and walks out with her head held high, her shoulders back and a smile on her face.” And, best of all, it is the only business I have ever been in where every client is not only no longer a stranger, but she gives me a hug before she leaves. That’s hard to beat!
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