hea th BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Raising awareness of metastatic breast cancer Hearing a doctor utter the words “breast cancer” often leaves women with dozens of initial questions: “How will I manage all of the demands of daily life while in treatment? How will it affect me physically? YOU DESERVE THE EXPERTS! How do I tell my family?” But a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease after it has spread to other parts of the body, can be particularly diffi cult. “There’s a real dark side to cancer. Like many women with this disease, I experience fear, sadness and physically feel the impact of my diagnosis,” says Linda Carey, who was fi rst diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and metastatic breast cancer in 2006. Shortly before Carey’s fi rst diagnosis with breast cancer, her husband Bob started a personal photography project - The Tutu Project - to express his feelings about some signifi cant life changes, including the Careys’ move from Arizona to Brooklyn, New York. When Carey was diagnosed, the project evolved into a way to help make her laugh and allowed her to shift her focus away from her cancer journey. Over the years, the project has further evolved into a way for the Careys to provide support to others. Through the Tutu Project, Bob photographs himself wearing only a pink tutu in a variety • American Physical Therapy Association Certifi ed Geriatric Specialist • American Physical Therapy Association Certifi ed Exercise Experts for Aging Adults • Specialists in Preserving Independence and Vitality in Mature Adults • Effective Therapy Programs in the Comfort of your Home • American Physical Therapy Association Certified Geriatric Specialist • American Physical Therapy Association Certified Exercise Experts for Aging Adults • Pelvic Floor/ Girlde Rehabilitation Specialist Call (516) 488-8808 For today information to schedule or an appointment,your please evaluation. call “No other facility can top AgeWell.” E. Hendrics, Queens NY 347)242-3200 Medicare and most insurances accepted 516-488-8808 1999 Marcus Avenue Suite M15, Lake Success, NY 11042 and 69-61 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378 1999 Marcus Avenue Suite M15, Lake Success, NY 11042 www.AgeWellPT.com www.AgeWellPT.com Lake Success location Medicare approved provider of poses and settings around the world - walking through fi elds, standing atop the Grand Canyon and even jumping across the Brooklyn Bridge - all in the hope of offering others inspiration, laughter and perhaps a smile while in chemotherapy, while raising funds to cover incidental costs not covered by health insurance for those living with breast cancer. Bob notes, “This can be a very scary road to travel. But Linda’s cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing–no, the only thing–we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.” The approximately 175,000 American women living with this advanced form of breast cancer often face challenges distinct from those diagnosed with an earlier stage. To help create awareness of metastatic breast cancer and fi nd strength and solidarity in these experiences, Carey is encouraging women to participate in the nationwide #MBCStrength photo and storysharing campaign. Women with metastatic breast cancer can share their own photos and stories that capture the essence of their journey living with MBC on Twitter using the hashtag #MBCStrength or on Facebook. Photos posted on the Facebook page will be considered for a display in Times Square on Oct. 13, 2015, Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Carey’s personal account is also featured at www. MyMBCStory.com, an educational website tailored for women with metastatic breast cancer developed by AstraZeneca with input from breast cancer advocacy organizations LBBC and Metastatic Breast Cancer Network. Those who share their stories on Facebook also have an opportunity to be featured on the site, which in addition to fi rst-person stories also provides tools and information tailored to women with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones. Educational resources are important for many women facing a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, because despite the wealth of information available about breast cancer, there are very few resources specifi c to metastatic disease. “As the fi ght continues for more metastatic breast cancer resources, research and fi nancial support, my hope is that we and the broader community do not lose sight of one key truth: our disease may not be curable but it’s up to us how we choose to live our lives.” To read stories from women living with metastatic breast cancer visit www.MyMBCStory.com. Courtesy BPT
QC10022015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above