Resources

Diabetes Information

• American Diabetes Association
  The nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy.
• Diabetes Forecast Magazine Online
  Helpful hints on eating well, beating stress, staying active, getting support, and finding great diabetes care from the American Diabetes Association.
• Maine’s Diabetes Control Project Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dedicates its resources to promote excellence in diabetes care and to increase access to care.

Healthy Maine Partnership Programs

• Healthy Maine Partnerships Programs Where communities, schools, hospitals, businesses, and volunteers work together to make Maine a healthier place to live and work.
• Maine Cardiovascular Health Program Preventing death and disability from heart disease and stroke in Maine.
• Healthy Maine Walks Making it easier for Mainers to find and use walking routes in communities all across the state.
• Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine Its mission is to reduce death and disability from tobacco use among Maine citizens by creating an environment supportive of a tobacco-free life.  Maine Tobacco Helpline is a resource to call if you want to quit smoking.  Toll free 1(800) 207-1230.
• Community Health Promotion Program Local and State programs help communities increase their ability to conduct community-based health promotion.  The focus is on comprehensive health planning and disease prevention.
• Coordinated School Health Program The main purpose of this program is to introduce the eight components of Coordinated School Health Programs to school personnel, parents and students.

Health Information

• Medscape from WEBMD
  Search information by speciality, disease or symptoms and get latest health news.
• Health Information – NIH
  Information on health and healthy lifestyle from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Institutes of Health
• Mayo Clinic Tools for Healthier Living
  Get health information from the famous Mayo Clinic.
• Yahoo Health
  Search web resources for diseases and conditions – A-Z.
• AIDS info
  This site offers information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
• Maine Breast and Cervical Health Programs Provides breast and cervical screenings and diagnostic services to underserved women. Uninsured women undergoing treatment for breast or cervical cancer may qualify for MaineCare.  Call toll free 1.800.350.5180.
• Maine Nutrition Network
• Maine Oral Health Program Strengthens and expands Maine’s oral disease prevention efforts.
• Maine Teen and Young Adult Health Helping adolescents develop skills and get access to services, information, and supports for healthy life choices.

Health Organizations

• Al-Anon/Alateen
  The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in support groups worldwide. Find you local chapter.
• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership.
• Alzheimer’s Association
  The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s.
• American Heart Association
  The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
• American Cancer Society
  Information, resources, statistics,research, help and support for anyone interested in learning more about cancer.
• American Lung Association
  Information,research, treatments, diseases and conditions and more about lung health.
• Arthritis Foundation Resources, programs, and general information about arthritis.
• The March of Dimes
  March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.
• National Institue of Mental Health
  Find health information, research, and news on all types of mental illness.
• National Kidney Foundation
  The National Kidney Foundation seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases,and improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs, and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.
• National Osteoporosis Foundation
  Osteoporosis information on prevention, treatments, physicians, advocacy and more.
• National Stroke Association
  Learn about stroke risk factors, prevention, news, and support.
• Overeaters Anonymous Learn how OA’s Big Book also helps people recover from food abuse.
• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) A nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.

Kids Health

• KidsHealth
  KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, doctor approved, and jargon-free health information they can use.
• American Academy of Pediatrics
  Resources for parents and children on health topics, publications, educational recourses and advocacy.

Local Resources

• CHIP – Community Health Information Partnership
  Looking for healthcare books, videos, classes and other resources available within easy driving distance of Brunswick Maine? This website is for you.
• Good Health Maine A guide to to excellent health care and wellness in New England, including articles and information from providers.

H1N1 Influenza Planning

• Federal H1N1 Influenza Information
  This web site is a clearing house for information about H1N1 Influenza planning for businesses, families and individuals.
• Maine State H1N1 Flu Information
  Visit Maine.gov to find out about Maine’s plans for H1N1 Influenza planning and general information about avian and seasonal flu.
• Put together an emergency supply kit
  Learn what your family or business should be doing to prepare for a emergency like an H1N1 Influenza outbreak.

Women’s Health

• Healthy Women.org
  The National Women’s Health Resource Center
• Women’s Health and Family Health The national women’s health information center.

General Breast Cancer Resources

Breastcancer.org

Oncologist Marisa Weiss, MD has developed this site, which is devoted to breast health. It offers a comprehensive medical guide to breast cancer.  It is a great starting place to help you understand your pathology report and various stages of treatment.  This site also provides a place to share your story and participate on message boards.  http://www.breastcancer.org

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

This site was founded by a radiation oncologist.  LBBC can empower women affected with breast cancer to achieve quality of life.  This is a site specific to survivors and contains a newsletter and helpful teleconferences.  In the privacy of their own homes, survivors can call to hear lectures from many specialists.  This site also offers information for a large spectrum of survivors, specific to ethnicity, age, and types of breast cancer. http://www.lbbc.org/

Breast Cancer Network of Strength

Formerly the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, this site was created by two breast cancer patients to provide information and support to patients, family, and friends.  This web site has a 24-hour hotline, which is staffed by counselors referred to as “Your shoes.”  They offer emotional support  and educational materials published in several languages.  http://www.networkofstrength.org/

Susan G Komen for the Cure

This global leader of the breast cancer movement was founded by Nancy G. Brinker as a promise to her sister, Susan G Komen.  Nancy agreed to do everything in her power to end breast cancer.   Komen for the Cure is the largest source in the world of non-profit funds dedicated to breast cancer.  The web site provides a  comprehensive section for the newly diagnosed, survivors and loved ones.   It provides updates on the latest breast cancer research, inspiring survivor and advocacy stories.  http://www.komen.org/

National Cancer Institute

This site provides patients and health professionals with a wide range of up-to-date cancer information, based on the latest research.  This site can seem overwhelming by the sheer volume of information.  Options are provided for the patient and healthcare professionals.  It includes listings of the latest clinical trials that are enrolling patients. http://www.cancer.gov/

Cancer Specific Resources

Young Survival Coalition

This international organization was founded by three women, who were all diagnosed before they turned age 35.  Women diagnosed with breast cancer younger than age 40 face fertility issues, higher mortality rates, and the ramifications of early menopause.  This web site addresses these issues and advocates for more clinical trials involving younger women.  Bulletin Boards are very helpful for young women to connect and share ideas with other young survivors. http://www.youngsurvival.org/

CancerNet Male Breast Cancer

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) sponsors this web site, which provides information on many different types of breast cancer, including male breast cancer.  Patients can read an overview of the disease, types of treatments, surgical management and additional therapies available.  http://www.cancer.net/

Center Watch

Clinical trials are organized on this web page, by type of cancer and state of residence.  Although the number of Maine trials are limited, many exist in nearby states, such as Massachusett.  You may also enter your interests into a Patient Notification program, which will alert you to new studies.  http://www.centerwatch.com/

Support Services

American Cancer Society

This national organization offers services to patients and families about all types of cancer.  Patients are find assistance with travel to and from appointments.  ACS’s “Look Good Feel Better” meets the last Monday of each month in Topsham and provides female cancer patients with beauty techniques to help improve appearance and restore self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Reach to Recovery is a program that pairs a newly-diagnosed man or women with a survivor who can share experiences.  ACS can also help with soft breast forms, wigs and bras.  http://www.cancer.org/

Maine Breast Cancer Coalition

This web site was established in 1992 by a non-profit grassroots organization that supports people with breast cancer.  Financial support, advocacy, and education are all offered.  Women who are uninsured and under-insured can download an application for help from MBCC’s support service fund.  The Maine Breast Cancer Resource Guide is a comprehensive listing of services for Maine people facing breast cancer.  http://www.mainebreastcancer.org/

The Patrick Dempsey Center For Hope and Healing

Inspired by the medical community that helped his mother through her cancer journey, Actor Patrick Dempsey, aided by the Central Maine Medical Center, created The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.  Its mission is to provide high-quality education, support, and wellness services to cancer survivors and their families.  The web-site calendar offers a wide variety of classes, from stress relief and support groups, to art therapy and knitting circles.  http://www.dempseycenter.org/

Lifestyle Resources

Parkview’s Lifestyle Choices

Science is proving that exercise, in combination with a sound diet, can reverse many chronic diseases and can markedly reduce the use of medication in most illnesses.  Lifestyle Choices is a two-week program designed to give you the tools needed to live a healthier life.  It will inspire and inform you to make positive changes towards a healthier you.  http://parkviewamc.org/wellness/lifestyle-choices-program-living

American Institute for Cancer Research

More than 25 years ago, the American Institute for Cancer Research was founded on a simple but radical idea: everyday choices can reduce our chances of getting cancer.  AICR is the first organization to focus research on the link between diet and cancer and translate the results into practical information for the public.  You can sign up for a monthly newsletter with the latest research and the AICR Test Kitchen provides an extensive menu of recipes. http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.  http://pcrm.org/

Silent Spring Institute

This collaboration of scientists, physicians, public health advocates, and community activists, began in 1994 after members of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called for a scientifically sound investigation into elevated breast cancer rates on Cape Cod.  To ensure action, they founded a laboratory and named it Silent Spring Institute.  It is a tribute to Rachel Carson, whose landmark book, Silent Spring, launched the modern environmental movement. http://www.silentspring.org/breast-cancer-and-environment

Retreats

Casting for Recovery

A national non-profit support and educational program, which offers retreats in a natural setting and lessons in fly-fishing.  Retreats are offered every summer in Maine and New Hampshire. http://www.castingforrecovery.org/index.html

Two Roads Maine

Two Road’s Mission is to support people at critical crossroads in life, when choices must be made about new  directions involving health and well-being.  Two Roads provides opportunities for experiencing the natural world.  The website lists Maine retreats that include Kayaking and contemplative day programs in Pownal.  Retreats in warmer climates are offered during the winter months. http://www.tworoadsmaine.org/