Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center To Host Look Good…Feel Better® Program For Women Undergoing Cancer Treatment

Hospital Helps Cancer Patients ‘Look good, Feel better’ in the New Year

In partnership with the American Cancer Society, The Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center has announced that they will host a series of workshops designed to help cancer patients improve self-image through group beauty sessions. Entitled “Look Good … Feel Better®” (LGFB), the first session will be held on Monday, January 28 from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at The Center for Breast Health, located in Good Samaritan’s new Medical Office Building, Suite 200, 257 Lafayette Ave., Suffern.

A diagnosis of cancer can be one of the most devastating challenges a woman faces, both physically and emotionally. Not the least of the issues she may face are those that can be seen by others: changes in or loss of hair, skin issues and other bodily changes as radiation and chemotherapy work to cure the disease.

Since 1989, LGFB has helped over 700,000 women being treated for cancer face these inner and outer challenges with helpful, uplifting, compassionate classes where volunteer beauty industry professionals teach them how to make the most of makeup, hair care, clothing, jewelry and accessories – to transform not only the way they look on the outside, but the way they feel on the inside.

“Women who attend LGFB programs at Good Samaritan are much more positive when they leave the program than when they arrive”, said Ana Gonzalez, Patient Navigator at The Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Hospital Regional Medical Center. “Everyone shows off their new look and you can just see their smiles. It is wonderful to be a part of LGFB to see the difference that it makes in someone’s life.”

In addition to the upcoming January session, LGFB classes will be offered monthly at Good Samaritan throughout the year from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the last Monday of each month with the exception of March and May when the class will be held on the third Monday (March 18 and May 20). There will be no class during the month of August.

The event is free, however, seating is limited and registration is required. Each participant will receive a free cosmetics kit. To register for the LGFB class at Good Samaritan, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. For more information about The Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, please contact 845-357-7462.

October Marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Within this month, charities across the United States come together in an effort to increase awareness of the disease as well as raise money for research into the cause, prevention and diagnosis of the disease.

The Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center as well as employees across the Bon Secours Charity Health System will be participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on October 21st.  This annual walk will be held at Woodbury Commons in Harriman, NY. Click here for information on how to sign up for the walk!

In addition to particpating in the annual walk, Bon Secours Charity Health System also affords their employees other options to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dress Down Fridays are available for our non-clinical staff.   Providing $5 to your supervisor will allow you to wear jeans for the day. The money donated through the “dress-down” initiative will go to breast cancer research.

The second option is by honoring an individual on our “Wall of Hope” at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.  There are bulletin boards dedicated to honoring those whom have faced breast cancer in the past.  Donations are accepted when filling out a card.

Have you scheduled a mammogram in the past year? The Center for Breast Health under the direction of Karen Karsif, MD is currently accepting patients. To set up an appointment, please dial 845.357.7462 or visit their website at http://bschs.bonsecours.com/breastcenter .

Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bschs

National Previvor Day 2012

Did you know that in addition to being the most holy day of the Jewish year, it is also National Previvor Day?

You might be wondering what/who a previvor is. A previvor is a person unaffected with cancer who is at high-risk of cancer due to a known inherited predisposition or strong family history of cancer. The term was coined by Sue Friedman, the founder of FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), a nonprofit organization dedicated to awareness, advocacy, and support of those at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Thanks to FORCE and Be Bright Pink, another national organization, more resources and services exist to support the unique needs of healthy women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

National Previvor Day and National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) week, spanning this week, aim to raise awareness about hereditary cancer. One of the most important points to keep in mind is that the majority of cancers are not hereditary. However, 5-10% of breast cancer and up to 15% of ovarian cancer is due to a susceptibility passed down from either your mother or father. It is estimated that 750,000-1,000,000 people have an inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer by having a mutation in the BRCA genes. Yet, the vast majority of these people don’t know it. Not knowing can mean inadequate cancer screening and limited to no consideration of preventive options. With that in mind, here are some red flags for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer:

a) Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50

b) Ovarian cancer at any age

c) Male breast cancer at any age

d) Multiple primary cancers, e.g. cancer in both breasts or breast + a different cancer

e) At least 2 family members on the same side with breast cancer, or possibly just one relative if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, since the hereditary cancer is more common in this ethnic group

f) A known cancer susceptibility mutation in the family

g) A lot of varied cancer/occurrence of especially rare cancers in the family

If you or a close family member meets these criteria, genetic counseling is recommended:

Genetic counseling is not just about testing, it’s about education. And many women learn that their risk of cancer is lower than they had feared. If you are interested in an appointment with Vanessa Marcell, our certified genetic counselor, please contact 845-533-4951. Also, visit the Center for Breast Health website for additional information on all of our women’s services.

Cancer patients: Learn to ‘Look Good … Feel Better’ May 21 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

A diagnosis of cancer can be one of the most devastating challenges a woman faces, both physically and emotionally. Not the least of the issues she may face are those that can be seen by others: changes in or loss of hair, skin issues and other bodily changes as radiation and chemotherapy work to cure the disease.

Since 1989, a program called “Look Good … Feel Better” has been helping women face these inner and outer challenges with helpful, uplifting, compassionate classes that teach them how to make the most of makeup, hair care, clothing, jewelry and accessories – to transform not only the way they look on the outside, but the way they feel on the inside.

On May 21 at 6 p.m., Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center will offer a “Look Good … Feel Better” class at the Center for Breast Health, located in Good Samaritan’s new Medical Office Building, Suite 200, 257 Lafayette Ave., Suffern. To register, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Each participant will receive a free custom makeup kit.

“Look Good … Feel Better” is a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program supported by the American Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association and the Personal Care Products Council Foundation.

Yoga for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors

Please join us in The Center for Breast Health at 257 Lafayette Avenue Suffern, NY for a relaxing and uplifting “Yoga” class.  The class is free of charge and equipment will be provided at no cost.  It is suggested to wear comfortable clothing for the hour long event, and bring a water bottle for refreshment. We hope to see you on March 29th for the kickoff of this monthly offering for breast cancer patients and survivors.  For additional class dates and information, please contact The Center for Breast Health Patient Navigator Ana Gonzalez at 845-533-4954.