By PHRC Admin Team
October is National Breast Cancer Month, a time to raise awareness about this deadly disease that affects millions of people across the globe. Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common form of cancer among women in the United States .
This month is an opportunity for everyone to join forces and work together to support those affected by breast cancer as well as promote education, research and early detection. It’s also an important reminder that there are more survivors than ever before due to advances in medical technology and treatments over the years.
One way to get involved during National Breast Cancer Month is to wear pink ribbons or donate money towards breast cancer charities like National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). NBCF has provided funding for screenings, diagnostic testing, patient navigation and survivor support services since 2003. Participating in walks or runs such as Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure® are also great ways to show support while raising funds for research into causes, prevention and cures .
Aside from donating money or raising awareness through events, individuals can look out for their own health by getting screened regularly for breast cancer. Early detection is key when it comes to successful treatment against this disease so make sure you keep up-to-date with your mammograms if you are over 40 or follow your doctor’s screening advice if you have a family history of breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Month serves as an important reminder about how far we have come in the fight against this horrible disease thanks to increased awareness and funding going towards research into its causes and treatments. We should take every moment of October to celebrate all those who have survived breast cancer while striving forward towards a cure.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are several resources available to help navigate the journey.
For information and support, organizations like Susan G. Komen provide a wealth of resources such as access to a breast cancer helpline as well as helpful information about options for treatment, financial assistance and insurance coverage. They also have online discussion boards and chat rooms where survivors can talk with others who have gone through a similar experience.
The American Cancer Society is another great resource that provides free educational materials and support services like coaching programs and free rides to medical appointments through their Road to Recovery program. Additionally, the ACS partners with more than 200 local cancer organizations across the country so that individuals can find support services close to home.
Other organizations such as BreastCancer.org are dedicated specifically to providing accurate and up-to-date information about breast cancer diagnosis, treatments and care for those affected by it. You can also find many nonprofit foundations that fund research into causes, prevention and cures for breast cancer like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) or the Avon Foundation for Women which provides grants to support screenings, diagnostic tests and treatment options for underserved communities.
No matter your needs during this difficult time, make sure you reach out for help – whether it be from family members or professional resources – because knowing you are not alone in this fight is invaluable when facing breast cancer head on.
Resources:
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The American Cancer Society (ACS): Provides resource lists for free or low-cost mammograms and financial assistance.
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National Breast Cancer Foundation: Offers various resources to help spread awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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World Health Organization (WHO): Provides resources to increase support for the awareness, early detection, treatment, and palliative care of breast cancer.
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Breast Cancer Now: Focusses on raising awareness around secondary breast cancer.
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Commission on Cancer (CoC) and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC): Offers resources to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: Offers free or low-cost mammograms to women who have low incomes and are uninsured.
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Breast Cancer Foundation: Provides a range of targeted materials approved by its Medical Advisory Committee, available free of charge.
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CancerCare: Provides breast and cervical cancer resources.
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Susan G. Komen Patient Care Center: Your go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, services, and resources.
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Virtual sessions are available with PHRC pelvic floor physical therapists via our video platform, Zoom, or via phone. For more information and to schedule, please visit our digital healthcare page.
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FAQ
What are pelvic floor muscles?
The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that run from the coccyx to the pubic bone. They are part of the core, helping to support our entire body as well as providing support for the bowel, bladder and uterus. These muscles help us maintain bowel and bladder control and are involved in sexual pleasure and orgasm. The technical name of the pelvic floor muscles is the Levator Ani muscle group. The pudendal nerve, the levator ani nerve, and branches from the S2 – S4 nerve roots innervate the pelvic floor muscles. They are under voluntary and autonomic control, which is a unique feature only they possess compared to other muscle groups.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy. Currently, physical therapists need advanced post-graduate education to be able to help people with pelvic floor dysfunction because pelvic floor disorders are not yet being taught in standard physical therapy curricula. The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center provides extensive training for our staff because we recognize the limitations of physical therapy education in this unique area.
What happens at pelvic floor therapy?
During an evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction the physical therapist will take a detailed history. Following the history the physical therapist will leave the room to allow the patient to change and drape themselves. The physical therapist will return to the room and using gloved hands will perform an external and internal manual assessment of the pelvic floor and girdle muscles. The physical therapist will once again leave the room and allow the patient to dress. Following the manual examination there may also be an examination of strength, motor control, and overall biomechanics and neuromuscular control. The physical therapist will then communicate the findings to the patient and together with their patient they establish an assessment, short term and long term goals and a treatment plan. Typically people with pelvic floor dysfunction are seen one time per week for one hour for varying amounts of time based on the severity and chronicity of the disease. A home exercise program will be established and the physical therapist will help coordinate other providers on the treatment team. Typically patients are seen for 3 months to a year.
What is pudendal neuralgia and how is it treated?
Pudendal Neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis that means pain in the sensory distribution of the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve is a mixed nerve that exits the S2 – S4 sacral nerve roots, we have a right and left pudendal nerve and each side has three main trunks: the dorsal branch, the perineal branch, and the inferior rectal branch. The branches supply sensation to the clitoris/penis, labia/scrotum, perineum, anus, the distal ⅓ of the urethra and rectum, and the vulva and vestibule. The nerve branches also control the pelvic floor muscles. The pudendal nerve follows a tortuous path through the pelvic floor and girdle, leaving it vulnerable to compression and tension injuries at various points along its path.
Pudendal Neuralgia occurs when the nerve is unable to slide, glide and move normally and as a result, people experience pain in some or all of the above-mentioned areas. Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in identifying the mechanical impairments that are affecting the nerve. The physical therapy treatment plan is designed to restore normal neural function. Patients with pudendal neuralgia require pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from medical management that includes pharmaceuticals and procedures such as pudendal nerve blocks or botox injections.
What is interstitial cystitis and how is it treated?
Interstitial Cystitis is a clinical diagnosis characterized by irritative bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and hesitancy in the absence of infection. Research has shown the majority of patients who meet the clinical definition have pelvic floor dysfunction and myalgia. Therefore, the American Urologic Association recommends pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line treatment for Interstitial Cystitis. Patients will benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from pharmacologic management or medical procedures such as bladder instillations.
Who is the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Team?
The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center was founded by Elizabeth Akincilar and Stephanie Prendergast in 2006, they have been treating people with pelvic floor disorders since 2001. They were trained and mentored by a medical doctor and quickly became experts in treating pelvic floor disorders. They began creating courses and sharing their knowledge around the world. They expanded to 11 locations in the United States and developed a residency style training program for their employees with ongoing weekly mentoring. The physical therapists who work at PHRC have undergone more training than the majority of pelvic floor physical therapists and as a result offer efficient and high quality care.
How many years of experience do we have?
Stephanie and Liz have 24 years of experience and help each and every team member become an expert in the field through their training and mentoring program.
Why PHRC versus anyone else?
PHRC is unique because of the specific focus on pelvic floor disorders and the leadership at our company. We are constantly lecturing, teaching, and staying ahead of the curve with our connections to medical experts and emerging experts. As a result, we are able to efficiently and effectively help our patients restore their pelvic health.
Do we treat men for pelvic floor therapy?
The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is unique in that the Cofounders have always treated people of all genders and therefore have trained the team members and staff the same way. Many pelvic floor physical therapists focus solely on people with vulvas, this is not the case here.
Do I need pelvic floor therapy forever?
The majority of people with pelvic floor dysfunction will undergo pelvic floor physical therapy for a set amount of time based on their goals. Every 6 -8 weeks goals will be re-established based on the physical improvements and remaining physical impairments. Most patients will achieve their goals in 3 – 6 months. If there are complicating medical or untreated comorbidities some patients will be in therapy longer.
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