HOW TO SURVIVE AS A

CO-SURVIVOR
 Hello!
I am Anika Palekar.
I am a Girl Scout Ambassador, and I am here to
share my Girl Scout Gold Award Project with you all!
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What is there to know About Breast Cancer?
Let’s start with the basics
 WHAT IS IT?
a disease characterized by cells in the
breast tissue that become abnormal and
multiply uncontrollably, forming a tumor.

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 HOW COMMON IS IT?
‐ The 2nd most common cancer in women
‐ 1 out of ever 8 women develop this type of
cancer
‐ Approximately 200,000 American women are
diagnosed with breast cancer each year

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What are the types of breast cancer?
Dependent on:
‐ Where it begins
• Milk ducts, milk producing lobules or connective tissue
‐ Appearance under a microscope
• Cancer cells have unique appearances compared to a
normal cell
‐ Sensitivity to hormones
• Estrogen receptor (ER) positive
• Progesterone Receptor (PR) positive
• Hormone receptor (HR) positive
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 RISK FACTORS
‐ Increasing age
‐ Personal history of breast cancer
‐ Early menstruation
‐ Late menopause
‐ A first pregnancy after age 30 or no prior pregnancies
‐ Use of oral contraceptives
‐ Alcohol use

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 RISK FACTORS cont.
‐ Family history of breast cancer
‐ Presence of certain inherited genetic changes
‐ History of radiation therapy to the chest
‐ Long-term use of combined hormone therapy
‐ Obesity after menopause

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 WARNING SIGNS
Watch for these if they suddenly start but if it's happened to you all your life,
or since puberty it's unlikely it's related to breast cancer:

‐ Lumps found by doctor or self-exam

‐ Itchy breasts
‐ Swollen breasts
‐ Shoulder and neck stiffness
‐ Breast size change

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 WARNING SIGNS cont.
‐ Breast tenderness
‐ Nipple Discharge
‐ Nipple sensitivity
‐ Change of nipple appearance
‐ Dimpled breast tissue

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 SYMPTOMS
‐ Breast cancer typically develops as
a small tumor (or lump) in the
tissues throughout the breasts

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 HOW TO CATCH IT EARLY
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following
early-detection screenings for women at average risk for breast
cancer:
‐ Optional monthly breast self-exams for women starting in their 20s
‐ Optional mammograms beginning at age 40
‐ Annual mammograms for women ages 45 to 54
‐ Mammograms every two years for women 55 and older, unless they
choose to stick with yearly screenings
‐ MRIs and mammograms for some women at high risk of breast cancer
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 SELF-EXAMS
When is the best time to do a self-breast exam?
‐ about 3 - 5 days after your period starts
‐ If you have gone through menopause, do your exam
on the same day every month.
How do you perform a self-breast exam?
‐ A demonstration will be show on a breast model to
show how to properly do a self-exam
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CO-SURVIVORSHIP
 “
Family is not an
important thing.
It’s everything.
- Michael J. Fox

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What is a
co-survivor?
Co-survivors are people who lend support to
those diagnosed with breast cancer from
diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Commonly includes:
‐ Family
‐ Friends
‐ Spouses/Partners

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MY EXPERIENCE

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TYPES OF CO-SURVIVOR SUPPORT
Informational

Emotional

Practical

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 INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT
‐ Find out all you can about breast cancer. The more you know, the
more you can help.
 Learn common breast cancer terms
 Learn about treatment options
 Make a list of questions to ask the doctor
 Gather information for your loved one and share what you’ve
learned

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 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
‐ As your loved one goes through this, you can help her cope with
the impact of the diagnosis
 Just listen
 Spend time together
 Let your loved one express his or her feelings
 Give a hug
 Say “I love you”

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 PRACTICAL SUPPORT
‐ This means doing things to make it easier for your loved one around the house and
more
‐ You may offer to:
 Cook or clean
 Drive to the doctor’s office
 Do laundry
 Send a note
 Provide childcare
 Pick up prescriptions
 Go food shopping
 Run errands – wash the car or get the oil changed
 Walk the dog

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 BUT REMEMBER…
What is most important as a co-survivor?
‐ TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
‐ You may be so busy caring for your loved one’s
needs that you neglect your own

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 MY TIPS ON BEING A CO-SURVIVOR
‐ Take care of yourself
‐ Inform yourself
‐ Ask questions; don’t be afraid
‐ Stay strong
‐ Be emotional; its ok!
‐ Do all you can do; your best is always enough
‐ Talk through your feelings
‐ Ask for help if you need it!
‐ Share your story!
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TODAY!

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THANK YOU!
Any questions?

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 Survey:
https://bit.ly/2MdSzCK

PLEASE TAKE A BROCHURE!

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 Sources
“Top Questions about Breast Cancer.” CancerCenter.com, 28 Mar. 2017,
www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/questions/.
“Types of Breast Cancer: Noninvasive & Invasive | CTCA.” CancerCenter.com, 10 Feb. 2017,
www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/types/.
“10 Warning Signs of Breast Cancer.” ActiveBeat, www.activebeat.com/sexual-health/10-warning-
signs-of-breast-cancer/.
“Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention.” American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-
cancer/risk-and-prevention.html.
“Breast Cancer Types: What Your Type Means.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, 2 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/in-
depth/breast-cancer/art-20045654.
Charles, Katie. “Breast Cancer Is Curable, but Mammograms a Must.” NY Daily News, 17 May 2011,
www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/breast-cancer-cases-curable-mammograms-article-
1.449003.
“Co-Survivor.” Susan G. Komen®, ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Co-Survivor.html.
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