Gift Giving For Breast Cancer Patients And Their Families

by: Adriana Copaceanu

Did you know that each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die? One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year.
The above statistics are scary to say the least. If you have loved ones or friends that have been diagnosed with breast cancer, I am sure you've often wondered what, if anything, you can do to help them.
Here are some gifts that are appropriate for cancer patients, and their families to give encouragement, and support.
Probably one of the most important gifts you can offer, is the gift of your time: time to listen, and time to be with them as they accept the fact that they have cancer, and go through their treatment.
A small journal is another idea: they can put on paper their thoughts, their struggles, and their accomplishments as they fight this battle.
A book of inspiring, encouraging words will do wonders for their soul. One suggestion would be Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul: 101 Stories of Courage and Inspiration from Those Who Have Survived Cancer.
Don't forget a nice teddy bear they can hug, and a CD of soft, comforting, music.
Some cancer patients develop sensitivity to fragrance, so please stay away from scented items.
Again, remember that at times, all they need is to have someone to talk to, or hold their hand: be there for them!
For your information:
If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.
Don't miss your mammogram this year. Several national organizations will have a list of the facilities that participate in National Mammography Day. To find a place near you, call:
American Cancer Society

1-800-ACS-2345
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

1-800-IM-AWARE
National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)

1-888-80-NABCO
National Cancer Institute

1-800-4-CANCER
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization

1-800-221-2141
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you'll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm

More Articles

Hormone Replacement Therapy And Breast Cancer

... another large study in which some women were assigned to take Prempro and others not, women who used Prempro had no significant increase in breast cancer risk. As Janet left, she said, "I can see now that when I hear about a study I need to know how big a risk is and not just that it is increased. I'll ... 

Prempro Breast Cancer Risks

... Alzheimer's disease. Evidence has revealed that Prempro and other estrogen progestin combinations can actually harm perfectly healthy women. These results were found in the nation's largest hormone replacement study and were so alarming that the National Institute of Health (NIH) prematurely canceled ... 

Recommendations For Early Breast Cancer Screening

... woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early as age 30. Since most women do not have a mammogram until age 40, there is a critical time period from age 25 to 39 that thermography could be especially beneficial. Thermography, because it analyzes function, may identify a ... 

Reducing The Risk Of Breast Cancer

... "Women who are obese after menopause have a 50% higher relative risk of breast cancer," notes Thun, "and obese men have a 40% higher relative risk of colon cancer.. Gallbladder and endometrial cancer risks are five times higher for obese individuals".There is evidence that cancer rates in developed countries ... 

Screening For Breast Cancer With No Compression And No Radia

... limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death. Ideally, women should begin thermographic screenings by age 25. A woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early ...