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Breast Cancer Information and Resources

When it comes to breast cancer research, the internet can be overwhelming. With so much information online, it’s often hard to know what’s reliable – and sorting through it all can take up valuable time. Fortunately, our team can help. We’ve curated a list of trusted resources to help you more easily find the information and support you need.

General Breast Cancer Information & Education

Comprehensive Breast Cancer Information

American Cancer Society Comprehensive cancer information, including breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Breastcancer.org Comprehensive information on detection, diagnosis, treatment, research, and support, including a community section where patients can connect.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer Provides information and support for women affected by breast cancer.

National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Home Page Educational information about breast cancer, treatment options, and research updates.

Susan G. Komen Features information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and support.

General Community and Peer Support Networks

ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Provides phone-based one-to-one mentoring to those affected by breast cancer as well as a personalized mentor matching service for breast cancer patients, their families and friends.

Breastcancer.org Comprehensive information on detection, diagnosis, treatment, research, and support, including a community section where patients can connect.

CancerBuddy A social support app for cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors, particularly helpful for the AYA community.

CancerCare Provides free professional counseling, education, and financial assistance for cancer patients.

Cancer Support Community Offers emotional support, education, and hope for those affected by cancer.

Immerman Angels Provides comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, peer-to-peer mentorship program.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer Provides information and support for women affected by breast cancer.

MyBCTeam A social network for women facing breast cancer.

SHARE Cancer Support A national nonprofit that supports, educates, and empowers women affected by breast, ovarian, or metastatic breast cancer, with a special focus on medically underserved communities.

 

Breast Cancer Helplines

Cancer Support Helpline Provides guidance, resources, and support to cancer patients or their loved ones with a variety of needs. Staffed by community navigators and resource specialists who have extensive experience in helping people affected by cancer.

Komen Helpline Provides information about breast health, breast cancer, local and national resources and information about clinical trials.

LatinaSHARE

Provides education, support, Help-Line, and more, in Spanish.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer Helpline

The Breast Cancer Helpline connects you to a trained volunteer who has been diagnosed with breast cancer for emotional support, guidance, and hope.

Patient Advocate Foundation Helps patients with chronic illnesses overcome healthcare obstacles like medical debt and insurance issues.

SHARE Cancer Support

National breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical and metastatic breast cancer Helplines.

Advocacy Opportunities

AACR Survivor Scientist Program

A program designed to engage breast cancer survivors in scientific research advocacy.

Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (Alamo Advocate Program)

Provides advocate scholarships to attend the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, where survivors can engage with leading researchers.

GRASP

Partners with patient advocates of any type or stage of cancer who seek to better understand the science behind research, and who want to effectively bring the patient perspective to research activities. Connects patients and cancer researchers to advance scientific breakthroughs together.

National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

A leading advocacy group focused on ending breast cancer through policy change, research, and education.

Project LEAD (NBCC Program)

A science training course for breast cancer advocates to help them influence research and policy.

Susan G. Komen Advocates in Science (AIS)

A program that trains breast cancer survivors and supporters to be involved in research and policy initiatives.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Resources

Angelmira’s Center for Women with Advanced Cancer Helps women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer improve their quality of life and outcomes through education, companionship, scientific research and integrative support.

Hope Scarves Supports cancer patients through scarves and personal stories.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance A coalition of organizations working to improve the lives of those with metastatic breast cancer.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Network An advocacy group for women with metastatic breast cancer.

Metavivor Provides education, support, and funding for metastatic breast cancer research.

Storm Riders Network A resource hub for metastatic breast cancer patients and their caregivers.

Story Half Told An initiative to raise awareness and understanding of metastatic breast cancer.

Theresa’s Research Foundation Theresa’s Research Foundation’s mission is to fund research for metastatic breast cancer that provides better treatment options, improves quality of life for patients, and will one day lead to a cure.

Brain Mets Resources

MBCBrainMets.org  A one-stop resource hub for breast cancer patients with brain metastases.

Genetics and Risk Factors

FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered For women with an increased risk of cancer due to family history and genetic status and for families that carry a BRCA mutation.

KnowYourBreastCancer.com Information about genomic testing and MammaPrint, helping patients understand breast cancer genetics.

Resources for Specific Breast Cancer Types

AreYouDense.org Educates the public about dense breast tissue and its impact on early breast cancer detection.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network Foundation Funds research and educates both the public and medical community about inflammatory breast cancer.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation Supports innovative research and education on inflammatory breast cancer.

Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance A leading source for current invasive lobular carcinoma information, research, and clinical trials.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Offers educational programs and discussion forums for women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.

Young Survival Coalition

Young Survival Coalition (YSC) strengthens the community, addresses the unique needs, amplifies the voice and improves the quality of life of young adults affected by breast cancer, locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Resources for Male Breast Cancer

Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance Connects male breast cancer patients with researchers and clinicians worldwide.

Male Breast Cancer Happens A patient advocacy organization dedicated to educating the world about male breast cancer.

 

Resources for Diverse, Underserved and Equity-Focused Organizations

Angelmira’s Center for Women with Advanced Cancer Helps women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer improve their quality of life and outcomes through education, companionship, scientific research and integrative support.

For The Breast of Us Empowers women of color affected by breast cancer through education, advocacy, and community.

Diverse Health Hub Focuses on addressing breast cancer disparities in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

LatinaSHARE

Provides education, support, Help-Line, and more, in Spanish.

Nueva Vida (Latina Cancer Support) Offers education and support for Latinas affected by cancer in both English and Spanish.

Sharsheret Provides free support and educational programs, with a focus on Jewish women and families.

Sisters Network® Inc. A national Black breast cancer survivorship organization raising awareness about the impact of breast cancer on the African American community.

Tigerlily Foundation Provides advocacy and support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Unite for HER Unite for HER’s free Wellness Programs educate patients about integrative cancer care and provide them with access to supportive services and resources at no personal cost.

When We Tri(al) When We Tr(ial) is a collaboration between TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance and Breastcancer.org that addresses the underrepresentation of Black women in breast cancer clinical trials. When We Tri(al) aims to increase trust and participation in clinical trials to improve Black breast cancer treatments and outcomes.

Financial and Logistical Support

CancerCare

Financial Assistance Resources

Lazarex Cancer Foundation Provides financial assistance for patients traveling to participate in clinical trials.

Patient Advocate Foundation Helps patients with chronic illnesses overcome healthcare obstacles like medical debt and insurance issues.

Pink Fund

Provides financial assistance for up to 90-days for non-medical cost-of-living expenses for breast cancer patients in active treatment.

Triage Cancer Foundation Provides free education on the legal and practical issues that arise after a cancer diagnosis.

 

Education and Research Initiatives

Anne Appleseed Project Information about natural cancer therapies from the patient perspective.

Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund Supports research, education, and advocacy efforts to eradicate breast cancer.

CancerandCareers.org Offers resources and support for employees with cancer, their employers, and coworkers.

Learn Look Locate Provides information, inspiration, and connection for breast cancer awareness and support.

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) Informative resources, survivor stories, and educational tools for patients.

Research Match A nonprofit initiative connecting people interested in research studies with medical researchers.

TheSecondOpinion Provides free, comprehensive second opinions for adults in California diagnosed with cancer.

Tower Cancer Research Foundation Funds cancer research and provides support for those affected by the diseas

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials, Research and Research Advocacy

National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Portal

Searchable database of cancer clinical trials.

Army of Women
The Love/Avon Army of Women is recruiting ONE MILLION WOMEN who are willing to consider participating in research to find the cause and ways of preventing breast cancer. You can participate in the Army of Women by signing up at www.armyofwomen.org.

CenterWatch
A cancer clinical trials listing service.

ClinicalTrials.gov
National Library of Medicine searchable database of clinical trials.

Current Controlled Trials
Provides a listing of randomized clinical trials.

EmergingMed
Provides a database of clinical trials. Can also be reached by phone: 1.877.601.8601 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET (M-F).

Research Advocacy Network
Non-profit organization that brings together all participants in the medical research process. Its focus is to educate, support and connect patient advocates with the research community to improve patient care.

Trials Outside the USA

United Kingdom
Cancer Research UK

Canada
Ontario Cancer Trials
Cancer View Canada
Canadian Breast Cancer Network

All Countries
Cancer.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov
World Health Organization (WHO)

Dictionary of Cancer Terms

Find easy-to-understand definitions of terms related to cancer and medicine.

Go to Dictionary
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Deborah Romer

Deborah’s breast cancer diagnosis in late 2022 catalyzed her interest in breast cancer research and patient advocacy following a complicated diagnosis. She is pleased to be participating as a patient advocate at UCSF, as well as with state, national and international groups, and has channeled her research and health care background in her advocacy work.

Deborah is a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and attended their Project Lead Science Training program in the summer of 2024, and will complete their Public Policy Institute in 2025. She serves on the Research Committee of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA) and has been a grant reviewer for ASCO and LBCA. She begun working with Dr. Rita Mukhtar at UCSF on lobular breast cancer research and served on a panel for the Annual UCSF Breast Oncology Program Retreat. Deborah joined as a new member of the UCSF I-SPY Patient Advocate Panel in 2025 and serves as a Board member of Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund which links education, research and care to end breast cancer.

Throughout Deborah’s 30 plus year career in health care administration, she has worked to make health care more inclusive, accessible, equitable and personal. She started her health care career at the Stanford School of Medicine and then worked with several hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente where she worked for 22 years, serving as a medical group administrator and hospital CEO in Northern California, then at the National level as Vice President for Patient and Service Quality and as an Executive for National Quality and Board Governance.

Deborah is passionate about the importance of evidence-based research and multi-specialty team collaboration in solving problems and is committed to advancing breast cancer research, to supporting researchers, clinicians and patients, and to ensuring that the patients’ perspective is integrated into research, clinical trials and care. She has a BA with Highest Honors in Sociology and Research Methods from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She enjoys opera, jazz and the performing arts, as well as hiking, dancing and traveling, and is excited to be moving back to San Francisco in spring, 2025.

Tracey Heather

Advocate Liaison

As Patient Engagement Lead at Quantum Leap, I manage follow-up data projects for the I-SPY 2 Trial, develop strategies to strengthen patient engagement, and oversee the I-SPY Advocate group. After six successful years raising funds to support Quantum’s mission, I embraced this new role last summer, drawn by the opportunity to make a direct impact on the patients we serve. Each day brings new challenges and insights, and I especially enjoy supporting and collaborating with our inspiring I-SPY Advocates.

Outside of work, I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management at SF State. I’m passionate about trail running, skiing, live music, camping, traveling, and collegiate gymnastics—my daughter competes at Oregon State. For the past 5 years, I have volunteered with SF CASA as a mentor to an incredible 18-year-old foster youth whose resilience continually reminds me of life’s true priorities.

Carolyn Clark Beedle

Carolyn Clark Beedle, a 2023 breast cancer survivor, joined the advocate program after successful completion of treatment with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program. Her experience working with a patient advocate during her TNBC treatment led to an understanding that empowering women to advocate for their own health and healthcare will contribute to improved health outcomes and broader access to care. Carolyn began advocating for cancer patients and their families during her treatment, now is a member of the Breast Science Advocacy Core (BSAC) with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program, and currently shares information and research with CFNP associates at La Clinica in the Bay Area to inform and empower their patient population.

Carolyn is continuing her on the ground training as an advocate reviewer with both Quantum Health and BSAC and is enrolled in the Patient Advocacy Training in Health Science course with Stanford Medicine. Her 30+ career in corporate marketing/communications, program development and non-profit leadership augmented by her breast cancer treatment experience serves Carolyn well in representing and communicating the patient voice and perspective.

She received her BA (History/English Lit) and MA (Public History/Research and Record Management) from the University of San Diego, is a proud fifth generation San Franciscan, and active board member with numerous non-profits that support social work and the arts.

Silver Alkhafaji

Silver Alkhafaji is a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG) program at UCSF. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley. Prior to UCSF, she worked in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at Genentech. Silver’s current research focuses on non-invasive liquid biopsies to predict response and side effects of immunotherapies and endocrine therapies in early-stage breast cancer participants in I-SPY 2.

Silver is interested in clinical outcomes research to advance precision medicine and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. She is passionate about health equity, inclusive research, patient advocacy, and women’s health.
Silver volunteers at the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center at UCSF where she assists in patient navigation and connecting patients and their families with resources that improve their healthcare experience while receiving cancer treatments and/or during survivorship. 

Through her DEI work in her PhD program, Silver raises awareness around issues related to social justice and community building through organizing community-centered events. Additionally, she is a member of the Life Sciences Career Advisory Council at Thrive Scholars, where she enjoys supporting college students of color from economically disadvantaged communities in providing the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in high-trajectory careers. 

Silver is a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Alameda Branch where she focuses her efforts on increasing membership of community college women coming from exceptional backgrounds: student parents, low-income, and first-generation college students.

In her free time, she writes poetry and prose on emotional healing, radical acceptance, and patience. Writing has helped her process difficult situations and connect with people on a deeper level.

Jane Mortimer

Jane is a breast cancer survivor and advocate dedicated to positively impacting the lives of women affected by the disease. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012, she participated in the I-SPY 2 trial at UCSF and has been cancer free for more than ten years.

Her advocacy journey began in 2003 at UCSF as a volunteer with the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center and Decision Support Services and she previously managed the Peer Support program at UCSF. Drawing on her experience in marketing and media strategy, she uses her skills to make a meaningful impact by supporting advocacy and research that improves outcomes for women living with breast cancer.

Jan Tomlinson

In March of 2023 , Jan was diagnosed with a large aggressive triple negative breast cancer and informed that her cancer was the” bad girl” of cancer and offered standard chemotherapy for 24 weeks. Devasted by the diagnosis Jan felt like she had a dire prognosis. After seeking several opinions, she opted to join a Clinical Trial program for her treatment. The trial consisted of significantly less chemotherapy, and monitored closely over a 12-week period, The data predicted a complete pathological response , and she then went immediately to surgery. Pathology reports supported that she had a successful outcome reaching PCR meaning the tumor was gone, and no residual cancer was found in the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Jan was thrilled when her surgeon advised her of the results. The experience made Jan want to give back and share information that she received when she was at a critical juncture in her diagnosis. She is so passionate about making sure that everyone knows that the standard of care is one treatment option.

As she says, “ clinical trials have to be on the table” Because she achieved PCR, she expects a great outcome. She wants to share her story and encourage other women to strongly consider and participate in clinical trials. Jan is a UCSF Patient Advocate, involved in several programs they lead. Jan also is a BLACC Cab Member. Jan recently was in Washington DC to participate on a panel on Clinical Trials for ISPY at the National Press Club. UCSF will be hosting the RISE Up For Breast Cancer event where Jan will share her experience with clinical trials.

Deborah Collyar

Deb is a connector who founded Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) “where research meets reality,” bringing ideas and people together for medical advances that offer real results for diverse patients and families.

Her vast experience between the worlds of tech, communication, strategy, management, policy, and equity bridges gaps between patients, scientists, medical providers, payers, governments, and non-profits.

Deb infuses patient engagement into projects, gathers relevant patient input, and encompasses many diseases, programs and policies at grassroots, national and international levels through companies, academia, and governments.

Key patient insights are delivered throughout discovery, development, clinical trials, results reporting, data-sharing, standards, genomics, and into practice.

Her experience spans translational and clinical research, epidemiology, health outcomes, and health delivery research with academia, federal agencies, companies, and patient communities.