Helping others find their way to wellness

In the mid-1990s, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's Dr. Julie Gralow conceived an idea for a book that would help answer the many questions of newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients. Last month, Gralow and a group of 25 clinical staff members and breast-cancer survivors received honors from the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) for the third edition of Finding Your Way to Wellness.

The foundation presented its 2007 Komen Community Service Award to Gralow, the book's editor, and the team of volunteer writers, during the foundation's annual meeting in Seattle on Jan. 24.

"This resource provides valuable information to newly diagnosed breast-cancer survivors and has become an essential, trusted tool for health-care professionals throughout the region," said Lynn Hagerman, executive director of the Komen Puget Sound Affiliate.

Free to patients

The publisher, Mountaineers Books, is set to deliver copies of the latest edition of Finding Your Way to Wellness Feb. 5, with Komen paying for production and distribution.

Doctors' offices and cancer centers will provide the book free to newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients throughout Washington. It also will be available by calling the Komen office in Seattle at (206) 633-0303.

The book's 25 chapters provide comprehensive information about breast cancer, including genetics and prevention, screening and diagnosis, dealing with a new diagnosis, treatment options, managing treatment side effects, clinical trials, the role of complementary therapies, follow-up care, and what to expect in the months and years after treatment.