Breast cancer book club helps women focus on life beyond disease
Every other month, women currently living with or survivors of breast cancer meet together at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. But don’t call it a “support group.” They read, too.
That’s how South Florida’s first breast cancer book club came to be nearly 11 years ago.
“We thought there was a need but didn’t want to create a traditional support group,” said Elizabeth Stone, a medical oncologist with the Cleveland Clinic.
Stone co-founded the club along with Cara Kondaki, a clinical oncology socialworker.
“We wanted something that allowed breast patients to meet others, but not necessarily focus on the disease,” Kondaki said.
Between10 and15women meet at the clinic’sMaroone Cancer Center the second Wednesday of every other month and discuss a book of their choice.
Patients oftens bring a sample of a book they’d like to suggest for a future meeting and by the end of the session, the group will take a vote. Last month was “The Light Between Oceans: A Novel” by M.L. Stedman. Next month will be “Big Little Lies” by LianeMoriarty.
“I think a lot of women have trouble coming to a meeting and talking about their emotions,” Stone explained. “The book club isn’t about cancer. Sometimes it comes up, life comes up. But it’s a time to express other emotions, talk about things and still meet with other members and create a connection.”
Launched in 2007, the club retains members who are finished with treatment aswell as new patients.
One of the book’s first members, Lynn Curry, still attends regularly.
“In the beginning, it was important to me because I didn’t know I needed this support. But I did,” Curry said. “NowthatI’man11-year survivor, it’s a good feeling to be there for other women who are new to this.”
Besides going throughthe books, the club also participates in philanthropic work like making a quilt with the local Girl Scout troupe. Many members, including Curry, participate in annual Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer charitywalks.
“I was already very involved in the community, but not the sector of cancer,” Curry said. “This openedmy eyes to more philanthropic and mentoring opportunities which I hadn’t really thought of before.”
The book club also gives women dealing with breast cancer a chance to vent to someone who isn’t family.
“Often, [patients] don’t want to share because they don’t want to burden the family member,” Stone said. “But here, they can express what’s tough about itand get support.”
What keeps the club together, Stone and Curry agree, is that common thread.
“When you go through breast cancer it’s such a hard thing to swallow. It’s a lot and it’s scary,” Curry said. “When that person who walks in sees a room full of women who are going through treatment or are long term survivors it gives them a sense of hope.”
ebloch@sun-sentinel.com