The Cancer Support Community of New Jersey Hosts Three Free Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Spotlight on Breast Reconstruction Workshops on October 10, 12 and 13

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of breast cancer awareness month three different Cancer Support Community (CSC) affiliates of New Jersey - Gilda's Club South Jersey, Cancer Support Community Northern Jersey Shore, and The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey - are joining forces to host workshops from the popular Frankly Speaking About Cancer national cancer education series. The workshops address the topic of breast reconstruction options, feature a local surgeon, and a breast cancer survivors panel. The event is free and open to breast cancer patients, their family and friends. The workshops will be held on the following dates and times:

Monday, October 10, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Gilda's Club South Jersey, 700 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221-1237

Wednesday, October 12, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Cancer Support Community Northern Jersey Shore, Victoria Commons, 613 Hope Road, Eatontown, NJ  07724

Thursday, October 13, from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Steeplechase Cancer Center, 30 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876

According to a recent CSC survey of 762 women with breast cancer who were eligible for breast reconstruction, 43 percent of patients do not receive information about reconstruction options when making treatment decisions at diagnosis.

"We are pleased to be part of the Frankly Speaking About Breast Reconstruction program to provide information on reconstruction options," said Ellen Levine, program director, The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey.  "The Cancer Support Community here in New Jersey is an integral part of the breast cancer treatment process, providing support services and emotional health to facilitate other medical and surgical treatments."

Workshop attendees will receive an educational booklet, hear from a board certified plastic surgeon, and will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a panel of breast cancer survivors.

"The Frankly Speaking About Breast Reconstruction program offers a comprehensive overview of the impact of breast cancer and the various options available for reconstruction," said Matthew Kaufman, M.D., board certified plastic surgeon, The Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey. "There is also special attention paid to the decision making process that women undergo when contemplating this choice. By educating people affected by cancer, programs like these offer empowerment, support and hope."

To register or for more information, call The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey at 908-658-5400.

About Frankly Speaking About Cancer

The Cancer Support Community's Frankly Speaking About Cancer educational series provides vital information, tools and confidence to empower people impacted by cancer. Covering a variety of cancer types and topics, this acclaimed series is available at no cost through educational booklets, professionally-led workshops, and an award-winning internet radio show. As part of their ongoing commitment to patient education, the Cancer Support Community recently developed Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Spotlight on Breast Reconstruction, made possible through a charitable contribution from Mentor Worldwide LLC. This comprehensive patient empowerment program aims to streamline information about breast reconstruction and provide useful tools to help women speak openly with their physicians about whether reconstruction is right for them.

The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey (TWC-CNJ) is an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones.  The Wellness Community mission is to ensure that all people affected by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.  Through participation in any of these components people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease. At The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey, all programs are free of charge. For more information please visit our website at cancersupportcnj.org or call (908) 658-5400.

About Cancer Support Community

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer.  Likely the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States, CSC offers a menu of personalized services and education for all people affected by cancer.  Its global network brings the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.  These support services are available through a network of professionally-led community-based centers, hospitals, community oncology practices and online, so that no one has to face cancer alone.

In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club Worldwide joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community.  By helping to complete the cancer care plan, CSC optimizes patient care by providing essential, but often overlooked, services including support groups, counseling, education and healthy lifestyle programs. Today, CSC provides the highest quality emotional and social support through a network of more than 50 local affiliates, 100 satellite locations and online. To find a community-based center in your area, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.

For more information, call 908-658-5400 or visit our website at www.cancersupportcnj.org to access more detailed program information.

Mandy Richard, Communications Coordinator
The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey
908-658-5400
[email protected]

SOURCE Cancer Support Community