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"Partners in Breast Cancer Survival will offer an opportunity for partners of breast cancer patients to share and receive support from those traveling a similar path," said Maureen Major Campos, RN, MS, Breast Health Specialist. Partners often experience common concerns involving relationships and communication, information to share with children, work-related issues, household responsibilities, feelings and fears, and doctor visits and medical follow-up, she explained. The meetings are facilitated by Jeffrey Pivor, DDS, the husband of a Norwalk Hospital breast cancer patient, and Nancy Gennaro, LCSW, oncology social worker. "Our goal is to provide caregivers a confidential setting to be able to share concerns they may have in coping with a loved one who has breast cancer, including understanding the physical and emotional needs of their partners," Ms. Gennaro said. "We are pleased to be able to offer this program, which has been made possible through the generosity of The Laura Hartenbaum Breast Cancer Foundation," said Dr. Richard Zelkowitz, medical director of the Smilow Family Breast Health Center. "The medical community recognizes the critical role a partner can play with the stress of a breast cancer diagnosis and the treatments that follow and how much the partner also has needs." According to Dr. Pivor, group facilitator, "Partners of breast cancer patients are so busy caring for their loved one and family they often do not have the time to take care of their own needs. Fears, concerns, and the burden of new responsibilities can be overwhelming. Our support group provides an opportunity for all of these feelings to be expressed and shared with other people who are in a similar situation. Our goal is that by the end of the meeting, each of the participants will leave with a little more hope and renewed strength to cope with the challenges that lie ahead." The Smilow Family Breast Health Center offers guidance and support for women as they cope with abnormal breast findings, assists them in navigating through the breast diagnostic work-up process, while collaborating with other hospital departments such as Pathology, Radiation and the Whittingham Cancer Center in providing the services needed. The Center also provides numerous screening and support programs for the patient and family and this focus on the patient's emotional as well as physical needs is what sets The Smilow Family Breast Health Center at Norwalk Hospital apart, said Dr. Zelkowitz. In addition to October 20th program, upcoming meetings for the Partners in Breast Cancer Survival are November 17 and December 15. All programs are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Smilow Family Breast Health Center. The program is offered free of charge as a community service and light refreshments are served. For more information about this or any of the programs offered through the Smilow Family Breast Health Center at Norwalk Hospital, call (203) 852-2300. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. [an error occurred while processing this directive] CURRENT HEADLINES: [an error occurred while processing this directive] Top of Page
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