Support Groups

Young Women's Support Group Meeting

Dr. Lisa Curcio partners with several organizations that offer support for cancer patients, but she’s discovered very few resources for breast cancer survivors under 50 and decided to act and form a young women's support group with Dr. Lisa Curcio.

Candi Whurman, a personal life coach who holds an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology and specializes in spiritual guidance facilitates the meetings. Candi Wuhrman acts as a facilitator only as the guidelines and focus of the group is atdetermined by the participants and their individual needs.

Dr. Lisa Curcio understands that there is a great need for a Young Woman’s Cancer Support Group as the issues for women under 50 can be quite different than those diagnosed at older ages. The support group aims to:

 1.  Offer a comfortable and safe setting for women to meet.
 2.  Offer support to one another in a group experience.
 3.  Focus on continued individual healing processes and enlightenment.

While the conversations can be serious, they hope to bring fun and social aspects to the group as well.

Call the office at 949.770.0797, for more information.

Meet the Young Women's Support Group Members:

Mindy, Lake Forest CA
"Co-Survivors working together to help each other survive, talking, listening and learning."
 
My breast cancer was found on March 2006. Three doctors examined me and I was told by my regular doctor that he didn't find a lump and there was nothing wrong. I insisted on a mammogram and the lump was found in my right breast behind the nibble.  The only way to find it was a mammogram. In May I underwent a lumpectomy performed by Dr. Curcio on my right breast. I subsequently received chemotherapy and 32 treatments of radiation. I finished my last radiation in January 2007.

My recommendation for women undergoing treatment is to say busy, get a job or do volunteer work. This helps you get over and past your treatment. After treatment you will find or start thinking what to do now. Eat right, exercise and don't let stress yourself out! Don't dwell on the past.  Live everyday like it is your last. Spend as much time as possible with family from parents, sisters, brothers to children.  Embrace everyday with a welcome! 

Sharon
"I look forward to our group meetings to share intimately our experiences, our deep feelings and our strengths developed since cancer."
I will be a 2 year survivor in November and doing great. I will be at the Race for the Cure with thousands of others who are like me who have faced and walked through the walk we all had to do.  I support the foundation which connects all of us for the same reason. 

Sues
"My badge of honor photo.!"
“The support group to me is like a prescription of life for your heart, mind and soul”!!! 

Feili
"I truly enjoy the sisterhood of young women support group. It uplifts our spirits and gives us hope for life. For me it is the place for us to share our burden, cast our fears and shed our tears. It is like a power station for the cancer survivors to get recharged to gain strength to continue battling with cancer. Thank you Candi for being so wonderful and sensitive to our needs."

Laura
"Do self breast exams every month and if you feel something, don't be afraid to get it checked out, it could save your life!"
I went in for my annual well women check-up in December 2005 and all was well. In January 2006, I had my annual mammogram and all came back okay.  In early May 2006, while taking a shower I felt a lump in  my right breast, I immediately called my gynecologist office and scheduled an appointment.  I saw the nurse practitioner and she advised me to schedule an appointment at the Susan B. Komen Breast Center, which I did. Two weeks later, after having four or five mammograms on both breasts, I was asked to come back to the exam room.  I had an ultrasound guided needle aspiration biopsy and two days later I had a breast MRI.  With my results in hand, I was diagnosed by Dr. Curcio with invasive ductal carcinoma.

In June 2006, Dr. Curcio performed a bilateral mastectomy on me.  I choose to have a bilateral mastectomy because I wanted to do everything possible to minimize any chance of reoccurrence and never have to deal with this again!

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MISSION HOSPITAL

Dr. Curcio has an association with the Breast Cancer Support Group at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. The Breast Center at Mission Hospital offers a variety of support services for patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. These services include:

• "A Step At a Time" breast cancer support group (2nd and 4th Mondays, Cancer Resource and Library located on the third floor of the hospital)

• "Look Good, Feel Better" (offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society)

• One-on-one support from breast cancer survivors

• Pre-operative class for women undergoing breast cancer surgery

• Educational workshops and lectures

For more information about the support groups and when they meet at Mission Hospital, please visit their Web site Mission Hospital - Centers of Excellence - Mission Breast Center.

SADDLEBACK MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

Join the support group meetings held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month from 6:30 to 8 PM.

Women's Cancer Support Group
The MemorialCare Breast Center at Saddleback
24401 Calle de la Louisa, Ste. 101A
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

As a breast cancer survivor and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Lisa Curcio is available to share her story. Dr. Curcio is a strong advocate for breast cancer research, treatment and education.

 

Speaker's Information: As a breast cancer survivor and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Lisa Curcio is available to share her story. Dr. Lisa Curcio is a strong advocate for breast cancer research, treatment and education. If you would like Dr. Lisa Curcio to speak with your group, organization or association, please call our office at 949.770.0797 and we would be happy to discuss your request.