Are there national organizations that help women who have breast cancer?

The following are some of the national organizations that provide support to women with breast cancer and their families.

• National Breast Cancer Coalition. Advocacy group committed to ending breast cancer. (202-29607477); Web site: http://www.natlbcc.org/
• Sisters Network, Inc. Seeks to increase local and national attention to the impact of breast cancer on the African-American community. Local chapters are involved in individual and group support, community education, advocacy, and research. Toll-free phone: (866) 781-1808: Web site: www.sistersnetworkinc.org
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Offers a national toll-free helpline as well as many breast cancer and community outreach materials. Helpline: 1-800-I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9273); Web site: http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
• Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, Inc. Provides information in English and Spanish through a national 24-hour hotline. Numerous local chapters organize early detection workshops and support programs. Toll-free hotlines: 1-800-221-2141 (English) and 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish); Web site: www.y-me.org

For information on more than 50 national nonprofit organizations that serve cancer patients and their families, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER and ask for Fact Sheet 8.1.

In addition, many local organizations assist cancer patients, including women with breast cancer. For information on groups in your area, talk with your doctor or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Source:  "Ask the CIS" by the Cancer Information Service.  "Ask the CIS" is distributed by the Cancer Information Service (CIS) of the Heartland, which serves Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri & Illinois. The CIS is a program of the National Cancer Institute. Call the CIS toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time.