Social Support May Improve Breast Cancer Outcomes
Social well-being during the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis may have a beneficial effect on cancer outcomes. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

A diagnosis of breast cancer often affects a woman’s quality of life, but it’s been less clear whether quality of life affects breast cancer outcomes. Quality of life has physical, psychological, social, and material aspects, and any one these (or a combination) may affect health.

To explore the relationship between post-diagnosis quality of life and breast cancer outcomes, researchers evaluated information from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study. The study enrolled more than 2,000 women. Information about quality of life was collected six and 36 months after diagnosis.

Women were followed for close to five years after their initial quality-of-life assessment.

•Social well-being at six months after diagnosis was linked with both survival and risk of recurrence. Women with the highest level of social well-being had a 38% reduction in risk of death and a 48% reduction in risk of recurrence. The aspects of social well-being that appeared to provide the most benefit were marriage and family, social support, and interpersonal relationships.

•The other measures of quality of life (physical, psychological, and material) at six months after diagnosis did not significantly cancer outcomes, although there was a suggestion that psychological well-being may be important.

•By 36 months after diagnosis, none of the quality of life measures were strongly linked with cancer outcomes.

The researchers conclude "Social well-being in the first year after cancer diagnosis is a significant prognostic factor for breast cancer recurrence or mortality, suggesting a possible avenue of intervention by maintaining or enhancing social support for women soon after their breast cancer diagnosis to improve disease outcomes."

Reference: Epplein M, Zheng Y, Zheng W et al. Quality of life after breast cancer diagnosis and survival. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Early online publication December 20, 2010.

Grantee Spotlight
The Greater Fort Worth Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure hosted the 3rd Annual Anamaria Diaz Shaw Komen Grants Award Breakfast on January 13th at Ridglea Country Club. We are proud to announce that 15 programs from 13 local organizations received $1.3 million in grants, with representatives from each grantee organization accepting a check to fund the first half of their project. These are the local organizations who put all of your fundraising and donation dollars into action. The grants will assist uninsured and underinsured women and men in the Greater Fort Worth Affiliate service area, which includes Tarrant, Hood, Johnson and Parker Counties, funding vital breast cancer health education, breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Two representatives from Komen Headquarters, Debra Johnson and Diana Rowden attended the breakfast. Ms. Rowden, the Survivorship and Outcomes Vice President at Komen, was the keynote speaker.

The 15 new grants will provide education, outreach, mammograms, diagnostics and treatment.

The 2011 Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Greater Fort Worth grantees:

Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth
Bridge Breast Network
Bridge of Blessings
Cancer Assistance Fund of North Texas
Cancer Care Services
Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth
Huguley Memorial Medical Center
Moncrief Cancer Institute
Muslim Community Center for Human Services
Partners Together for Health, the Foundation for JPS Health Network
Tarrant County Public Health
Texas Health Harris Methodist Foundation
The Chisholm Trail Chapter, American Red Cross

Volunteer Spotlight
The volunteer spotlight shines on an outstanding Komen advocate who never seeks the limelight but simply takes pleasure in helping others. Jane Williamson has been a Komen Greater Fort Worth volunteer for 10 years. She has served on the Race committee, chaired Race registration at Luke’s, and worked registration for several years as well as volunteering in the Komen office. Jane is our Affiliate's "resident photographer" for many of the important events and documents functions for the Affiliate including the Grants Award Breakfast, luncheons, and Pink Ribbon Events.

A talented and creative artist with skills she loves to share, Jane makes pillows for newly diagnosed patients. Her donation of pillows evolved out of making one for an out-of-state friend who had a mastectomy. Her special gift has been received by breast cancer survivors in Fort Worth through our Affiliate and at Texas Health Resources. Patients love them and are grateful for her meaningful gift. She also used her photography to design a card to send to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Jane’s activities on behalf of our Affiliate provide a positive impact and make a difference in our community. We are proud to have Jane as one of our volunteers.

 Register to become a volunteer!

3rd Party Event Spotlight
It was another great year at the Stock Show Goes Pink on January 25th. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the beautiful day! A special thank you to everyone at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo with their donation of $11,600! YEE HAW! We had 602 survivors and guests come out and enjoy the Stock Show, museums, the Pink Ribbon Roundup and the Rodeo performance. Thanks again to everyone who came out and volunteered.
 

Thank you to Monnig Middle School Student Council for their donation of $300 - amazing!

Visit our CALENDAR of Special Events