Role of "Reach to Recovery" in breast cancer.

Medical personnel should be aware that the Reach to Recovery program has gone from one visit to a radical mastectomy surgery patient to a multifaceted program. Reach to Recovery volunteers have been trained to make lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, and recurrence visits. They make visits not only in the hospital but at alternative locations (home, physician's office, library, coffee shop). Older women have the same needs as all women--getting back to normal, feeling good about themselves, and their sexuality. Older woman should not be ignored because of their age. Volunteers who visit patients are matched to a patient according to the type of surgery performed and the patient's age; older volunteers visit older patients. Programs continue to evolve as health care changes, with more lumpectomies, more reconstruction, etc. A 2-year evaluation just has been completed, and all the data are in the process of being updated. Medical personnel give medical advice. They offer support and the opportunity to talk to someone who has been there and who understands the concern of the patient with breast cancer.