Behold! A list we created via untold hours sourcing out the plethora of information available on breast cancer. Every year when we interview survivors, one thing they all told us was that beyond being diagnosed with the disease, it was torture trying to sift through the mountains of information for morsels of REAL information to actually help them. While there is so much more on the web, here are some of the best & most specific (and our opinions why) in the most succinct, tight form we can provide so you have it all in one place, at YOUR fingertips, when and if it’s needed.

www.areyoudense.org – Nancy M. Cappello’s non-profit site explaining how she got Connecticut’s legislation changed to INSIST state medical providers TELL patients about their dense breasts so they’ll understand that mammogram and/or ultrasound results may NOT be enough for them. Their goals are to educate the public about dense breast tissue, improve the condition of women diagnosed with breast cancer, advocate changes to public policy and support new and existing research.

www.AreYouDenseAdvocacy.org - The Mission of Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. is to give women with dense breast tissue access to early detection. Their goal is to enact state and federal legislation to mandate the communication of breast density to women and to ensure that these women have reliable screening tools to find cancer at its earliest stage when it is most treatable and survival is the highest.

www.bcrfcure.org – The Breast Cancer Research Foundation site is dedicated to awarding grants for breast cancer research. Scientists looking for grants can follow the outlined grant submission process. Fundraising events and opportunities are also listed.

www.breastcancer.org – easy to understand info on symptoms and diagnosis, treatments and side effects, breaking news about current research, discussion boards, blogs, chat rooms and much more.

www.breastcancerfund.org - A site dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer. You’ll find innovative research on chemicals that are linked to breast cancer, information on reducing your risk, and campaigns to get harmful chemicals out of products many of us use everyday, including canned goods and cosmetics. Insightful!

www.cancer.org – An all encompassing cancer info site. A highlight feature is their In Your Area tab that tells stories/information that pertains to YOUR ZIP code. The site is known among the “financially burdened” as the starting place to locate FREE cancer testing/treatments in your area (scroll down to the bottom Contact Us link for inquiries).

www.cancerfac.org– FABULOUS! The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition is comprised of 14 national organizations that all offer help when you need it most! The site is clean, simple and easy to navigate too! Potential financial assistance can be searched by cancer type or by the type of assistance needed (transportation, housing, medication expenses, etc.).

www.cancerschmancer.org – The organization started by Fran Drescher after she was given the run-around (like so many other women) for two years (and 8 doctors!) until she finally was diagnosed with cancer. A refreshing site with sensible info for women who’ve also been shuffled from doctor to doctor—not knowing what questions to ask.

www.cleaningforareason.org – A non-profit that awards FREE cleaning services for cancer patients currently undergoing treatment that helps make doing household chores something they don’t have to worry about while they get well! The easy to navigate “Locations” tabs shows cleaning services available by state/city.

www.facingourrisk.org – A must-go-to site! FORCE (started in Coral Springs by powerhouse Sue Friedman, who is still the current director—based now out of Tampa) is the only national non-profit org devoted to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Their mission includes support, education, advocacy, awareness & research specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Their programs serve ANYONE with a BRCA mutation or a family history of cancer.

www.imdense.org – Non-profit organization prompting women to ask, “Do I have dense breasts?” Started by our very own local hero, last year’s boxing glove cover model, the beautiful inside and out Tammy Krichmar of Parkland!! KNOWING your breast density can save your life! ASK!!!! This site is fighting to change legislation by enacting a Senate Bill that would REQUIRE (yes!!) breast density information be given to patients and that they’re told how dense breasts will change (and should) their future breast cancer exams. Powerful stuff.

www.keep-a-breast.org - A 501(C)3 non-profit organization focusing on educating girls in their teens and early 20s about prevention and early detection of breast cancer. KAB makes the subject of breast cancer less taboo by using art shows, fashion and teen/20’s-friendly spokespersons.

www.komen.org – Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors/activists. This site is great for joining (or donating to) fundraising cancer walks and cancer cruises to raise monies and awareness. The site is also a great resource for applying for cancer research grants. Also visit www.komensouthflorida.org for info on events in our area.

www.lbbc.org – Living Beyond Breast Cancer specializes in creating a support group and networking site for women in all stages of breast cancer. The site offers visitors customized websites/newsletters: newly diagnosed, advanced breast cancer, African American, Latina, young women and high risk. Highlights are their quarterly newsletter, the annual News You Can Use conference (travel grants available), breast cancer message boards, a toll-free help line and very comprehensive list of current breast cancer trials (some asking for participants!)

www.menagainstbreastcancer.org – Men Against Breast Cancer is the 1st non-profit org providing targeted support services to educate and empower MEN to be effective caregivers when breast cancer strikes a female loved one. MABC offers the workshop, Partners in Survival, to help men more effectively manage the breast cancer crisis with information and education.

www.mycandlesofhope.com - My Candles of Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by local breast cancer survivor, Jennifer Huckleberry. Its mission is to grant aid to women with breast cancer whose income or insurance coverage is limited and who reside locally in South Florida. They work with local hospitals, clinics, specialty shops and breast cancer centers & have partnered with the American Cancer Society to help women with the overwhelming financial burden that can be incurred during breast cancer treatment and the healing process.

www.neomatrix.com – Learn more about the HALO Breast Pap Test, which can detect abnormal cells YEARS before a larger, potentially cancerous lesion might develop. Non-invasive, takes 5 minutes and is inexpensive!

www.patientadvocate.org – When you’re going through the life-altering experience of breast cancer, it’s easy to be confused (and overwhelmed) with your medical options/bills, insurance issues and even job retention. This site is amazing and is there to assist you in getting through the jargon, knowing your rights and even helping with medical bills.

www.penniesinaction.org - A non-profit agency supporting the research of Dr. Czerniecki and his team at the University of PA in their pursuit of a YES, Breast Cancer Vaccine!

www.previvors.com – Website for a book on five unplanned heroes entitled Previvors –Facing the breast Cancer Gene & Making Life-changing Decisions (featured in OUR 2010 breast cancer awareness magazines). The site has bios on the women featured in the book, blogs, and a well organized Links information section. A free “Previvors” iPhone app is also available through the iTunes app store which has tons of great info.

www.savethetatas.com – Go here to purchase the trendy Save The Ta-Tas clothing/apparel. A portion of every sale is donated to help end breast cancer.

www.Sharsheret.org - Sharsheret is a national organization with localized support groups in West Palm Beach, Coral Gables and Orlando. This org supports young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer at every stage—before, during, and after diagnosis. They help women and families connect to the community, taking into consideration their stage of life, diagnosis, or treatment, as well as their connection to Judaism. They also provide educational resources, offer specialized support to those facing ovarian cancer or at high risk of developing cancer & create programs for women and families to improve their quality of life.

www.thinkpinkrocks.com – A powerhouse of a local non-profit org that show what happens when ordinary people who care become extraordinary! They raise awareness of early detection and genetic testing for breast cancer & provide funding for screening, treatment & research. The 4th Annual Think Pink Rocks concert is Nov. 5 at 7pm at the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater in Mizner Park ($45) and features Flo Rida, Melanie Fiona, Ray J, Shontelle, DJ Cassidy & Brett Loewenstern (See pg 85).

www.thebreastcancersite.com – Every click on the giant pink button gets sponsors to donate monies for mammograms! Donations from the site have provided more than 46,330 mammograms since Oct. 2000!

www.webmd.com – If you want to read blogs written by experts (categorized by conditions), this is the place. Being able to ask blogging experts questions can help you plan/supplement your medical options at all stages of treatment and makes users not feel isolated.