Cancer

If you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has, you may be experiencing a range of emotions.

Yes, it's important to educate yourself, have a good support network, and take care of your body as best as you can. One way to do all these and to take the pressure off yourself is to get involved in advocacy. Breast Cancer Action even has a podcast to help you get involved if you're homebound.

A grassroots organization, Breast Cancer Action does terrific work on advocacy for patients, and operates under core values you can't help but admire: "We are a membership organization. We honor each person's commitment and energy to our mission. We are not afraid to examine all sides of all issues. We cannot be bought. We tell the truth about what we discover." Now, there's an organization we can throw our weight behind!

Straightforward, comprehensive, reader-recommended. BreastCancer.org has tons of resources for you.

There are discussion boards, chat rooms, news briefs, a gift shop, research news, a photo gallery of what breast cancer looks like, and lots more. This is a great place to start if you're newly diagnosed, or if you want to learn more so you can support a friend.

You just won't find a funnier, more insightful blog about cancer than this excellent read. Cancer Bitch is fabulous!

It's "one feminist's report on her breast cancer" and it's chock full of interesting information, articles on how she copes and what she's going through. Check out the photos of her head henna (because your bald noggin can be art!) and boob-themed food at her "farewell to my left breast party."

This frank, forthcoming blog by a Nashville Babe now living in Chicago describes her "cowgirl attitude" toward living through colon cancer.

Cowgirl Attitude is not for folks who don't like to read about poop, the author tells us. But it is for Babes who want to see one woman's approach to tackling colon cancer, and we love its irreverent style.

Who would have thought cancer could be so cool? Kris Carr approached her diagnosis with an irreverence we should all hope to enjoy, and created Crazy Sexy Cancer.

And then she went on to create a groundbreaking film, web site, blog...even a book: Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips with a foreward by Sheryl Crow. This Babe really knows how to tackle a crappy diagnosis and make the best out of a bad situation without getting all Pollyanna on us.

Darn. And we thought natural medicine had something to do with being in the buff.

If you're starting out with a traditional or Western physician, have you considered natural therapies for your illness as well? Or, perhaps you're already a fan of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Either way, the Annie Appleseed Project can give you the hookup.

Oh, my. If you can get past the Babe-a-licious survivor photos on the home page, the Young Survivor Coalition (for young breast cancer diagnoses) actually presents a boat load of info.

Research, trials, education, advocacy, support -- now this is our first stop for perking up a bit. Download or subscribe to their newsletter, Young Perspective.

Young Survival Coalition is dedicated to addressing the concerns and issues unique to young women and breast cancer, through action, advocacy and education.

Any Babe can benefit from reading about the statistics, risks, and issues of breast cancer and women under 40. If you want to show everyone your support for YSC, T-shirts, caps and other merchandise can be ordered online.