I’ll spend as much time as I need to with a patient, explaining the different options, answering questions – but at the end of the day, breast cancer is not something I’ve actually experienced. SAVI Sisters helps me because it’s another place where women can go to learn about their treatment. Instead of just giving her a DVD or a pamphlet, I can send her to the website where she can see these other women and learn from their experiences. Too many women feel like they have to go through this journey alone, but this provides another link in the support network for patients.
Women are very proactive about their health – when I see my patients for the first time, most of them have already done some online research. They’re looking for more information about what to expect from their treatment. When I have a patient who’s about to undergo a mastectomy, or chemotherapy, I’ll have them talk to someone who’s been through it. It’s a “been there, done that” kind of thing. SAVI Sisters allows patients who are looking at APBI to talk to other women who have been through similar things – whether it’s the radiation therapy portion or even just having breast cancer. It allows them to connect, and I think that’s really important.
It’s also remarkable how much SAVI Sisters benefits the women who are sharing their stories. I’m always amazed at the number of patients who want to give back in some way. These women truly become advocates and want to tell their story, and this is a mechanism for them to do that. They just want to help other women – because that’s what women do.