Breast Cancer Awareness Month Resources
The following cancer information resources should be used for informational and educational purposes only. All specific medical questions about your health needs should be presented to your own health care provider.
Free cancer screenings
The Mammogram Voucher Program (MVP) provides mammograms and follow-up diagnostic services to medically underinsured and uninsured women in 30 counties in western and central Pennsylvania. Over 60 Pittsburgh-area mammography facilities participate in the voucher program to ensure that all women have access to quality diagnostic breast care services, including the UPMC Cancer Centers and Magee-Womens Hospital. The MVP program is sponsored by the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure®, the American Cancer Society - Southwest Region Office and the Family Health Council, Inc.
If you need a mammogram, do not have insurance, and cannot afford to pay for it, call the American Cancer Society, (ACS) Southwest Region Office, to see if you qualify for this important program. The Mammogram Voucher Program toll-free number is 1-888-MVP-0505 or call ACS toll-free at 1-888-ACS-5445 (1-888-227-5445).
Web sites
- Magee Breast Cancer Program of UPMC Cancer Centers
Highlights of this site include comprehensive information about breast cancer, as well as cancer care services and resources available to patients at UPMC Cancer Centers.
- UPMC Cancer Centers: Breast Cancer
A comprehensive starting point for information on the prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Includes link to the Magee Breast Cancer Program as well as numerous links to both UPMC and external breast cancer resources.
- MEDLINEPlus: Breast Cancer
Consumer health information resource provided by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Page includes general information, links to pictures/diagrams, diagnosis, symptoms, prevention and screening for breast cancer.
- National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer
The National Cancer Institute's Cancer.gov provides information for patients, the public and health care professionals about breast cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, genetics and clinical trials.
- National Breast Cancer Coalition
This organization focuses on three main goals in the fight against breast cancer: increasing cancer research, increasing access for all women to quality treatment and clinical trials and increasing the influence of women living with breast cancer.
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
This organization fights to eradicate breast cancer by funding national grants, education and screening and treatment projects in communities throughout the United States.
- Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Y-ME has a commitment to provide information and support to anyone who has been affected by breast cancer. This site includes general information about breast cancer, information on screening and detection, information for women and men who have breast cancer and information for family members and loved ones of people with the disease. Some of this information is also available in Spanish.
Online Publications
Local support groups
Online support groups
- ACOR.org
Offers public online information and support mailing lists providing a unique group of empowering communities to more than 37,000 patients, caregivers or anyone looking for answers about cancer and related disorders.
- Breast Cancer Online Support
Support group for survivors. Chat rooms, survivors message boards, special topic boards on Lymphedema, HER2 recurrence and caregiver's support.
- Kids Konnected
Provides friendship, education, understanding and support to children who have a parent with cancer.
Further information
- UPMC Cancer Centers Information and Referral Service
A cancer information service for the public, staffed by UPMC Cancer Centers oncology nurses and social workers, is available at 412-647-2811, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This service answers questions you may have about cancer, provides general cancer information, treatment options and helps individuals to schedule appointments/obtain referrals with UPMC Cancer Centers doctors.
- UPMC Cancer Centers Patient/Family Education Center
Provides informational materials to patients with cancer and their families, friends and caregivers. The Center has an extensive library of up-to-date cancer-related information that can be used to supplement information provided by your health care team.
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