The Breast Cancer Education Association provides education about breast cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. At local community events, through educational webinars and at an inspiring annual conference, volunteers connect those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer with support resources and the latest information on research, treatment options, nutrition and care.
While learning that you have breast cancer can be overwhelming, you are not alone! Many people and groups are ready to help with financial assistance, support and therapy as well as information on clinical trials. Breast centers throughout the region offer comprehensive care and treatment, and a variety of local organizations offer services to complement treatment plans and care such as transportation, lodging, healthy meals, home cleaning, and more.
Financial Assistance
Angel Foundation - Provides emergency financial assistance for non-medical expenses to adults in active cancer treatment who live (or receive treatment) in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.
Circle of Hope - Provides emergency financial help for breast cancer patients in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.
Hope Chest for Breast Cancer - Provides help for urgent daily living needs of Minnesota breast cancer patients. Emergency assistance funds help with costs such as rent, utilities, child care, and transportation; provide nutritious meals for families facing breast cancer.
Komen Treatment Assistance Program - Partners with CancerCare® to help bridge the gap for underserved individuals who are actively undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Minnesota Dept of Health - Sage Screening Program - Offers free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening to qualified individuals.
Pay it Forward Fund - Serves patients who are struggling financially while undergoing treatment for breast or women’s cancer at certain Minnesota hospitals.
The Pink Fund - Provides financial assistance for qualified applicants undergoing active treatment of breast cancer.
Support & Therapy
African American Breast Cancer Alliance - Provides education and support for African Americans in their journeys with breast cancer and survivorship.
American Cancer Society - Provides information about cancer including treatment options and coping with side effects. Assistance with free rides to treatment or a free place to stay when treatment is far from home.
American Indian Cancer Foundation - Supports culturally appropriate, community-based programs that engage Native populations in the discovery of their own cancer best practices.
Angel Foundation - In addition to emergency financial assistance, Angel Foundation offers a variety of free kid-friendly activities and resources that teach healthy communication and coping skills in a fun, age-appropriate and hands-on way.
Breast Cancer Recovery - Breast Cancer Recovery offers retreats designed to inspire and comfort breast cancer survivors. Created and conducted by survivors for survivors, these retreats are for women at all stages of breast cancer – newly diagnosed, in treatment, and many years finished with treatment.
Cancer Legal Care - Cancer Legal Care provides free legal care to Minnesotans affected by cancer who otherwise have no access to an attorney’s help for the legal issues that directly impact their health and quality of life.
Caring Bridge - CaringBridge is a nonprofit that connects people to each other when it matters most, offering hope, healing and help from family and friends. They provide personal, protected websites where you can share updates, receive messages of encouragement and coordinate everyday help.
The Firefly Sisterhood - Connects women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer with volunteers who have had experience with breast cancer to help guide their journeys.
Gilda’s Club Twin Cities - Provides supportive, free and welcoming “clubhouses” where everyone living with cancer can come for social, emotional and psychological support. Individuals learn from each other with guidance from licensed professionals who understand the emotional stress of facing a cancer diagnosis, treatment and cancer-related challenges.
Open Arms of Minnesota - Open Arms of Minnesota cooks and delivers free, nutritious meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses in the Twin Cities. Qualified patients must be physically unable to shop or cook for themselves OR have a compromised nutritional status.
Pathways - Offers resources and services for people with life-threatening or chronic physical illness - as well as caregivers - to explore and experience complementary healing approaches.
Shoulak BreastFest Music Festivals - Since 2011, the Shoulak family has hosted an annual outdoor music festival called BreastFest on the family farm in rural Corcoran, Minnesota. These events raise money for breast cancer awareness, research and education, support, treatment and a cure.
Thrivors > Offers a comprehensive mind-body-emotion approach to providing cancer-specific services that aid in the healing process — exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness — using a customized mobile platform with research-based tools.
Underneath it All - Underneath It All is committed to meeting your intimate needs after breast surgery (mastectomy, lumpectomy, reconstruction), in a private and supportive setting. Owners Lorraine Dressel and Cathy Rieckenberg are registered nurses and have more than 40 years’ experience as certified mastectomy fitters.
Young Survivors Coalition - Offers resources, connections and outreach - unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer - so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful.
Caregiver Support
Jack’s Caregiver Coalition - Jack’s Caregiver Coalition is a support group/program specifically for male caregivers, offering one-on-one support as well as respite events. Jack’s mission is to improve the way men think, feel and act in their role as a cancer caregiver.
Advocacy
Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition - The Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition (MNBCC) is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending breast cancer by advocating for increased research funding and access for all to evidence-based screening and treatment.
Minnesota Cancer Alliance - The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is a broad partnership of public health and health care organizations across Minnesota, cancer centers, culturally diverse organizations, researchers, nonprofit organizations, cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates — all dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer for people in Minnesota.
National Breast Cancer Coalition - The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (NBCC) brings experts and visionaries together to focus on preventing breast cancer and saving women's lives with the goal of knowing how to end breast cancer by 2020.
Clinical trials - This database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world is provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Breast Centers
TWIN CITIES METRO AREA CENTERS
BURNSVILLE
Fairview Ridges Breast Center - The Breast Center at Fairview Ridges Hospital offers comprehensive breast health services – from early cancer detection to treatment – in an environment designed especially for women. The Center offers one of the region’s leading cancer programs.
COON RAPIDS
The Breast Center of Suburban Imaging - The Breast Center of Suburban Imaging has been providing comprehensive breast care services to clinics and providers in the northwest metro for more than 15 years and is accredited as a “Breast Imaging Center of Excellence” by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
EDINA
Fairview Southdale Breast Center - The Breast Center at Fairview Southdale Hospital offers complete care for breast health – from advanced technology to detect cancer early to treatment – in an environment designed especially for women. The Center offers one of the region’s leading cancer programs.
MAPLE GROVE
The Breast Center of Maple Grove - The Breast Center of Maple Grove offers a comprehensive array of breast screening and diagnostic services to provide timely information and diagnosis. The Center features same-day results for diagnostic patients and state-of-the-art technology.
University of Minnesota Health Maple Grove Clinics - University of Minnesota Health offers breast cancer patients a comprehensive and individualized care plan at multiple locations. The program holds accreditations from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The Clinic has earned the distinction of being a diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence.
MAPLEWOOD
HealthEast Breast Center - HealthEast Breast Center offers complete breast care for women in all stages of life in a caring, compassionate environment. The use of mammography and other screening methods for early detection saves thousands of lives each year.
MINNEAPOLIS
Breast Center at University of Minnesota Health - The Breast Center at U of M Health provides personalized care in an environment designed especially for women. From mammograms to genetic testing, cancer treatment to benign breast services, the Center provides a broad range of treatment and preventative care options, all in one place.
Hennepin Healthcare Breast Care Center - At the Wanzek Family Breast Care Center, patients diagnosed with breast cancer receive individual support and one-on-one attention throughout their diagnosis, treatment and recovery processes. A Breast Cancer Patient Navigator works with the cancer team to make sure each patient’s health and emotional needs are being met.
Piper Breast Centers - Founded at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Allina Health provides compassionate and effective care at many hospitals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Patients have access to cancer rehabilitation services through the Courage Kenny® Rehabilitation Institute and access to integrative health therapies through the Penny GeorgeTM Institute for Health and Healing.
ROBBINSDALE
North Memorial Health Breast Center - The North Memorial Health Breast Center offers confidential, coordinated, connected and compassionate care for mammograms, screenings and treatment. The Center is accredited by the Breast Imaging Center for Excellence.
SAINT LOUIS PARK
Jane Brattain Breast Center - The Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center is designed by women, for women, with the latest technologies and experienced professionals dedicated to breast imaging and breast health.
SAINT PAUL
Regions Hospital Breast Health Center - The Breast Health Center provides breast imaging, biopsies, surgical consults, physical therapy for lymphydema assessments and prosthetics.
United Hospital High Risk Breast Clinic - The High Risk Program is designed for people who are concerned that they are at high risk for developing breast cancer. The program offers a complete assessment of breast cancer risk, individual interventions and screenings, and a plan to reduce risks.
SHAKOPEE
St. Francis Regional Medical Center - St. Francis Regional Medical Center offers screening, diagnosis, education, support and treatment for women with breast cancer. Specialists have expertise in breast reconstruction, lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal manipulation, biological therapies and other treatments.
STILLWATER
Lakeview Hospital Breast Health Center - In partnership with Amery Hospital & Clinic, Hudson Hospital & Clinic and Westfields Hospital & Clinic, the Breast Health Center at Lakeview Hospital offers advanced testing and treatment options, along with prevention, education and support programs.
REGIONAL CENTERS
BEMIDJI, MN
Edith Sanford Breast Center - The Edith Sanford Breast Center provides a comprehensive range of services and is revolutionizing the future of breast cancer and research. From prevention and screenings to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, specialists work diligently to find the answers and develop a care plan.
DULUTH, MN
St. Luke's Breast Center - St. Luke's Breast Center offers a high-quality, comprehensive approach to promote breast health and early detection of breast cancer. The center is accredited by the American College of Radiology and offers state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic technologies, supported by expert resources.
FARGO, ND
Edith Sanford Breast Center - The Edith Sanford Breast Center has a team of experts, specialized services and advanced technology to help you in all your breast health needs.
Essentia Health South University Clinic – The Essentia Health South University Clinic offers high-quality, evidence-based breast care.
GRAND FORKS, ND
Altru Breast Center – Altru’s Breast Center provides comprehensive breast health services including advanced technology, education and support. A team of professionals at the Center offers and coordinates a broad spectrum of services.
ROCHESTER, MN
Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic - The Mayo Breast Clinic offers diagnostic and treatment services for people who have breast changes or problems ranging from benign breast conditions to breast cancer. Dedicated specialists provide expert, personalized care, using the latest treatment innovations and technology.
SAINT CLOUD, MN
St. Cloud Hospital Breast Center - The St. Cloud Hospital Breast Center is the region’s most complete center to screen for and diagnose breast cancer and other breast health issues. The Center offers a full range of services including routine screenings, assessments, diagnostic work-ups and education.
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Avera Breast Center - The Avera Breast Center provides comprehensive care, education and support from screening and diagnosis, to treatment, survivorship and beyond. Avera offers digital and 3-D mammograms and a full range of breast imaging technology when additional testing is needed.
Edith Sanford Breast Center - The Edith Sanford Breast Center has a team of experts, specialized services and advanced technology to help you in all your breast health needs.