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The Sun City Texas
Breast Cancer Support Group
PHOTO BY FAITH BURNS
The Breast Cancer Support Group provides its members with emotional and physical support, reliable information and community.
By Cindy Bunn one else can.” Support groups like the one be done, how to move forward and offer
in Sun City Texas can connect the diverse hope on a personal level.
Cancer. When the word is first community with the BCRC and their mis-
spoken, it seems that oxygen is sion of community outreach. Unlike a Sun – Education answers all the little, hard
sucked out of the room. You can’t City Chartered Club, the support group or “silly” questions.
seem to breathe; your brain is not process- is open to any woman touched by breast
ing it; your words don’t come; the words cancer. The group welcomes women at any – PTSD in cancer patients is real.
you hear don’t make any sense. You can stage of the cancer process, from initial
easily fall into a hole filled with fear, un- diagnosis to life after treatment. Physical – A lifer is a person dealing with meta-
certainty, anger, denial, confusion, dozens and emotional support are provided for static cancer that has spread and the
of future doctor appointments and medical all things that go with the treatment and survivor remains in treatment.
procedures. You quickly learn the differ- life after treatment. Education programs
ence between sympathy and empathy. The keep everyone informed on all kinds of – Only 5-10 percent of all cancers occur
sympathetic person stands on the edge of subjects, including treatments that don’t due to heredity. Roughly three percent
the hole and feels concern for you. The em- work or are unproven. There is a great of breast cancers result from inherited
pathetic person anchors themselves outside deal of misinformation in print and on genetic mutations.
the hole and reaches down to help you pull the internet. According to Ms. Gallece,
yourself out. If you understand the concept “Dr. Google did not go to medical school!” – According to the National Cancer In-
of empathy, you understand what a sup- stitute, 56.6 percent of all new cases of
port group is. The definition of support as Here are some interesting facts and info: breast cancer are diagnosed in women
a verb is to bear all or part of a weight; as aged 55 or older. An additional 20.8
a noun, it is a thing that bears the weight – BCRC services are free of charge to percent of new cases occur in women
of something or keeps it upright. anyone affected by Breast Cancer. between the ages of 45 and 54.
The group receives financial support
The Breast Cancer Support Group in Sun from grants, donations and fundrais- – Many survivors give back because they
City Texas has been around since just ers. They can, in some cases, provide feel it is part of the healing process.
about the beginning. It is now sponsored financial assistance to clients. Meetings usually range from seven to
by the Breast Cancer Resource Center. 15 people in attendance.
Certified Patient Navigator Marjorie Gal- – The group sees the disease and the
lece leads the group. The BCRC mission woman. You are not the disease. – Confidentiality is very important. No
statement is to “provide a place to ask information is shared or discussed with-
questions, explore options, and connect – You are a survivor from day one of out the permission of the client/patient/
with a diverse community of survivors, lif- your diagnosis. The support group support group member. This includes
ers and thrivers who can relate in a way no members and BCRC staff are survi- spouses, partners and loved ones.
vors who help you with what needs to
The Sun City Texas Breast Cancer Sup-
port Group meets the fourth Monday of
each month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cowan
Creek Amenity Center/Andice Room.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG OCTOBER 2017 SUNRAYS | 87
