BDC - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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2023

BREAST CANCER

AWARENESS

SUPPORT • PREVENTION • RESOURCES

Local organizations provide valuable support to those facing breast cancer By Laurenz Busch

October welcomes the arrival of fall; the changing of the leaves; the carving of pumpkins; the slow descent into cooler weather. But, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s also a time to remember and highlight those having an impact. In town, Bozeman Health and the Cancer Support Community of Montana (CSC) provide vital support and treatment to those who’ve faced or are facing breast cancer. Together, the two provide Bozeman and Montana with a more holistic, community-based treatment and support system that reaches far into survivorship. Recently, the organizations hosted the “Walk with a Doc” event to highlight new information and provide education about what’s available for those with breast cancer.

you don’t have the support of your friends and family around you.” The CSC partners with Bozeman Health to provide those with breast cancer extra support. Originally started in 2004 as a support group, it has grown substantially. Today, the nonprofit offers support groups in a home-like setting and other help such as nutrition, exercise, and coping with treatment side effects. Franks said they help about 700 people each year. “We’re here to help you find resources to manage the cancer experience and hopefully thrive within the cancer experience and find meaning of life, quality of life” she said. “We understand that people have lots of decisions to make and we can help them them.”

Bozeman Health now hosts two surgeons once a month who offer autologous tissue flap breast reconstruction surgery — an important development for Montana and surrounding states. According to a press release from Bozeman Health, nowhere else in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and the Western Dakotas offers the surgery.

The CSC offers a way to find community and connect with people experiencing the same and provides support that allows people to get back to living life to the fullest. In October, Franks believes it is a time for the community to recognize those fighting breast cancer and to understand how important awareness can be.

The visiting surgeons are Dr. Theodore Nagel and Dr. Nabil Habash from Fort Worth, Texas, and having them close by is a milestone for Montana and for those who need it, without having travel interrupt their lives.

“Back in the day, people didn’t talk about cancer…[but] what’s important is that now people can talk about it. I think we forget that [wasn’t always the case],” Franks said. “During breast cancer awareness month, I encourage people to be willing to talk about all types of cancers and bring that awareness forward…it reminds us to come together as a community, to support each other, and wrap our heads and hearts around each other during a time that affects many of us in a deep and meaningful way.”

“People who have cancer also have a life — I think that we sometimes forget that,” Becky Franks, the Chief Executive Officer of the CSC Montana, said. “When women need to have reconstructive surgery for breast cancer it means they have to travel… many times, it can be repeated trips away, it’s expensive and that’s time you’re not working, you’re not taking care of your family, you’re not living your life,


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