The colors of fall surround us in red, yellow and orange, but the official color of October is PINK. That’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink is appearing all around us to help spread the word about breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and support.
For those who may be struggling with a cancer diagnosis, or helping a loved one who is, there is a great local resource in West Springfield ready and eager to help. It’s CHD Cancer House of Hope. We provide comfort to people who have cancer, who are cancer survivors, or who are supporting loved ones battling the disease.
All services at Cancer House of Hope are provided FREE. We have knowledgeable, caring volunteers who can help you understand what a cancer diagnosis entails for you or a loved one, hold your hand while you talk about what you’re experiencing, or just listen when you need a sympathetic ear. Our free services also include reiki, yoga and oncology certified massage therapy, all adapted for cancer patients.
Starting in October, our volunteer Oncology Certified Massage Therapistwill be adding a second day of massage service to help even more cancer patients enjoy the benefits of professional, therapeutic massage. Massage and reikisessions are by appointment. Yoga is on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Also starting in October, in part due to the generosity of Rays of Hope, we are restarting our Breast Cancer Support Group, which is a great way to connect with people who understand what you’re going through and can help you along your own journey.
Cancer House of Hope is located at 1999 Westfield Street in West Springfield. We are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drive by after dark during the month of October and you’ll find the House is lit up PINK!You can reach us by phone at 413-733-1858 or email at [email protected]. To learn more about the House, our programs, and services, please visitCHD.organd search for “Cancer House of Hope.”
Especially duringBreast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to spread the word about prevention. Here are some things you can do.
Get screened: When your health care provider recommends a mammogram, get one!
Learn self-exam:The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website, nationalbreastcancer.org, has simple, easy-to-follow instructions for performing breast self-exams. Breast cancer can strike at most any age, so mothers should teach their daughters about self-exams.
Educate yourself:The website also includeseasy-to-read information about healthy habits, early detection, diagnosis, and many other topics related to the disease itself.
Honestly, we’d LOVE it if no people had to come here. But until a cure for cancer puts us out of business, the door is open at Cancer House of Hope.
Joe Kane, Program Director
CHD Cancer House of Hope
West Springfield
Below are some informative statistics:
- One woman in eight will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
- For 2016, the American Cancer Society’s estimates that 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S.
- According to the latest data (2013) released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 1,866 residents of Hampden County were fighting breast cancer during the previous 5-year period.
- Of the people who visit at Cancer House of Hope, 41% are in active treatment for breast cancer or breast cancer survivors. There’s probably someone in your life who has had breast cancer or is battling it now. Perhaps it’s you.
- When your health care provider suggests that it’s time to go get a mammogram, then go! Early detection can make a life or death difference.Get it done!
