Prophylactic Surgery for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: How Will It Affect Me? Sharsheret to Present Free National Teleconference
Elana Silber, Director of Operations
Telephone: (866) 474-2774
E-Mail: [email protected]
Teaneck, New Jersey (December 8, 2010) – Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women and their families, of all backgrounds, facing breast cancer, will present a free national teleconference, “Prophylactic Surgery for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: How Will It Affect Me?,” Wednesday, December 22, 2010, 8:00 p.m. (EST). An audio taping and written transcript of the teleconference will be posted online after the event at www.sharsheret.org.
Clinical Supervisor Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA will lead a discussion focusing on the psychosocial and physical side effects of prophylactic surgery for breast and ovarian cancer. The teleconference will also feature acclaimed author Dina Roth Port (Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life Changing Decisions) and Sharsheret Peer Supporters as they share personal stories and reflect on the impact of prophylactic surgery on personal and family life. “1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women carries a BRCA (breast cancer) gene mutation that increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Sharsheret has seen an increase in the number of women calling the organization to discuss their risk and searching for more information about prophylactic surgery for breast and ovarian cancer,” said Director of Operations Elana Silber. “Hearing from women who have actually gone through this experience will be both helpful and inspiring to others opting for prophylactic surgery.”
Following the panelists’ presentations, there will be an opportunity to pose questions during the question and answer session. All participants will remain anonymous.To register for the teleconference and for dial-in instructions, please email [email protected] or call toll-free (866) 474-2774. This teleconference was made possible with generous support from The Gorlin Family Foundation, Julius and Emmy Hamburger Memorial Fund, and Stephanie Sussman and Ann Nadrich Memorial Fund.
About Sharsheret
Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain”, is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer. Our mission is to offer a community of support to women diagnosed with breast cancer or at increased genetic risk, by fostering culturally-relevant individualized connections with networks of peers, health professionals, and related resources.
Since Sharsheret’s founding in 2001, we have responded to more than 23,000 breast cancer inquiries, involved more than 1,100 peer supporters, and presented over 200 educational programs nationwide. Sharsheret now offers a continuum of care for the Jewish community – addressing the needs of those who are concerned about the risk of breast cancer in their family, those who have been diagnosed with the disease and are undergoing treatment, and those who face issues of survivorship or recurrence.
Sharsheret offers the following national programs:
The Link Program
· Peer Support Network, connecting women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer one-on-one with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences
· Embrace, supporting women living with advanced breast cancer
· Genetics for Life, addressing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
· Busy Box, for young parents facing breast cancer
· Best Face Forward, to address the cosmetic side effects of treatment
· Sharsheret Supports, assisting in launching and helping to sustain local support groups
· Family Focus, providing resources and support for caregivers and family members
· Ovarian Cancer Program, tailored resources and support for young Jewish women and families facing ovarian cancer
Education and Outreach Programs
· Health Care Symposia on issues unique to younger women facing breast cancer
· Sharsheret on Campus, outreach to students on campus
· Facing Breast Cancer as a Jewish Woman educational resource booklet series
For more information about Sharsheret, please visit www.sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774.