Access FREE support programs and services for patients, family, friends and caregivers.

Submit your breast cancer and breast health questions by clicking above, and a breast cancer survivor who is also a trained peer counselor will respond.

Looking for a way to help others touched by breast cancer? Y-ME wants your expertise! Breast cancer survivors from across the country are needed to become Y-ME Hotline peer counselors.

Share your knowledge, and give information, resource assistance and support to callers who would like to talk to someone who’s been there. A two-day training seminar is provided.

Call Y-ME today at 800-221-2141 or e-mail contact@y-me.org for more information and to apply for volunteer positions. It's possible to volunteer from home.

To apply online for general Y-ME volunteer opportunities, click here.

To apply online for Y-ME Hotline peer counselor opportunities, click here.

Medicare Currently Accepting Applications

The new Medicare program (Section 641 Demonstration Program) began providing coverage for certain breast cancer drugs on September 1, 2004 and will continue through December 31, 2005. This Demonstration Program will provide transitional coverage until January 1, 2006, when the new Medicare Prescription Program is expected to cover all prescriptions. The program is currently accepting applications to cover certain oral breast cancer drugs, like tamoxifen, that have not previously been covered by Medicare.  

Participation in the program was limited to 50,000 people nationwide but less than 10,000 people are currently in the program.   If Medicare patients believe they are eligible they should submit an application as soon as possible because they have a good chance they will be covered .

More information , coverage and availability,  and application materials are available  at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,  www.cms.hhs.gov ,  or call 1-866-563-5386.

Ann Marcou

1932-2004

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization is sad to announce that the co-founder of the organization, Ann Marcou, passed away this weekend.

We have received an overwelming outpouring of sympathy and condolences. We thank each one of you for your support during this time--it means a lot to Y-ME and the Marcou family.

Many of you have been asking if there's some way you can make a difference. We would love you to visit our tribute page dedicated to the memory of Ann Marcou's incredible life, which includes opportunities for sharing your story.

Femara® gains U.S. FDA approval as only post-tamoxifen
treatment for early breast cancer

October 29, 2004 - Femara® (letrozole) is the first therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the extended adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer who have received adjuvant (post-surgery) tamoxifen therapy for five years, Novartis announced today.

To read the full story, click here.

ShareRing Network Transcripts Now Available

If you missed the latest ShareRing Network Teleconference on reconstruction, or if you would like to review the information again, now is your chance! Transcripts of each ShareRing Network will now be available at www.y-me.org after each event.

Read the transcript of The Latest Techniques in Breast Reconstruction, presented by Dr. David Song, assistant professor, University of Chicago.

To participate in future free interactive teleconferences, and for more information, see below.

Teleconference Schedule

Wednesday, November 17, 2004
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST
Advances in Radiation Treatments for Breast Cancer
Speaker: John P. Lamond, MD, Radiation Oncology, Crozer Regional Cancer Center, Upland, Pennsylvania
To register, click here.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST
Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment
Speaker: Suzanne Conzen, MD, Medical Oncology, University of Chicago
To register, click here.

January 19, 2005
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST
Speaker: Lynne Staley, writer and educator who specializes in grief and loss on:
Topic: Grieving After Breast Cancer
To register, click here.

February 16, 2005
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST
TBA
To register, click here.

March 16, 2005
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST
Speaker: Lynn M. Phillips, C.L.T., C.M.T., certified lymphedema therapist, Equilibrium Lymphatic Health Center
Topic: Prevention and Treatment of Lymphedema
To register, click here.

Call 1-800-221-2141 if you prefer to register via phone.

Questions may be directed to sharering@y-me.org or 800-221-2141.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Looking for a way to raise awareness of breast cancer this month? There are a number of actions you can take. First of all, this month is a great time to schedule your yearly clinical exam and remind others in your life to do the same. Additionally, you could get involved in advocacy efforts that influence legislation to improve quality of life for those touched by breast cancer. During October, you can support Y-ME by purchasing from companies who are donating a portion of proceeds from their products to Y-ME. Y-ME commemorates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by announcing Jodi Fyfe as corporate chair for the 2005 Y-ME RACE. Click here for the full story.

To get other ideas about how you can get involved this month, visit NBCAM, of which Y-ME is a board sponsor.

Congratulations, Riders!

Riders experienced the adventure of a lifetime during the seven-day Changing Gears motorcycle ride up the coastof California, raising awareness and funds for Y-ME.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization was chosen as a third-party beneficiary of Amazon Heart's Changing Gears, the weeklong motorcycle adventure that was held October 2-9, 2004.   

There's still time to show your support!

DONATE NOW and become a part of the ride of a lifetime.

Listen to a Y-ME Webcast on Survivorship

Year by year, more women are surviving breast cancer longer due to better early detection and treatment. At Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization's Fourth Annual Breast Cancer Forum, Dr. Larry Norton, one of the world's foremost breast cancer experts, spoke about the latest research developments that will prolong survivorship and increase quality of life even more. Also joining the forum was Dr. Sarah Rosenbloom of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare's Center on Outcomes, Research and Education (CORE), who discussed how cancer diagnosis and treatment affect emotional health and life goals.

Click here to listen to a webcast of the forum or read a transcript.
This program is brought to by Y-ME and HealthTalk.

The International Myeloma Foundation published an advisory to alert the myeloma community about a serious problem that is affecting some people who have myeloma, breast and other cancers-osteonecrosis of the jaw. Although there is no conclusive evidence linking bisphosphonate therapy to this problem, language addressing this possibility has recently been added to the FDA-approved labeling for Aredia and Zometa. We are undertaking a survey targeting myeloma and breast cancer patients/survivors to better understand the problem and how to deal with it.

Please help us by completing this web-based survey. Your input is helpful regardless of whether you have been treated with bisphosphonates or have been diagnosed with osteonecrosis. You can fill out the form for yourself or, if you are a caregiver/family member, on behalf of a patient. All responses are anonymous. No personal identifying information is being gathered.

If you have any questions, call the IMFat 800-452-2873 in the US or Canada (818-487-7455 elsewhere). Thank you for helping with this important effort!

Visit the Y-ME E-store!

Click here to browse a variety of items at the Y-ME E-store, including those pictured below. Whether you're shopping for a friend or looking to treat yourself, you'll find something you like at the Y-ME Online Store.

Show your support for Y-ME's free-of-charge
programs and services.