Join us & expand your current exercise program, get individualized exercise tips & meet other women! This class is for current & former patients.

This class is held every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

Much Deserved 

"Thank You's"

TurningPoint would like to thank everyone for their support of our 2010 Annual Campaign. 

Please visit our site for a list of TurningPoint donors and sponsors.

We are grateful for such kind and generous support of our mission.

A research study published this month explored the effects of breast cancer and its treatment on sexual function.  Over 1,000 women answered a research questionnaire and each participant responded first within one year of their diagnosis and again 12 months later.  Women included in the study lived in Australia, had sexual partners and were younger than the age of 70.

Overall, 70% of women reported sexual function problems and 77% of women reported that they experienced vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes or night sweats).  Women who reported sexual dysfunction typically became post-menopausal since diagnosis and reported being bothered by hot flashes.

Women experiencing hot flashes were twice as likely to have sexual function problems.  This was more extreme for women taking aromatase inhibitors (Femara, Arimidex or Aromasin); but did not persist for women taking Tamoxifen.

Women who reported body image issues were 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction.  These women reported loss of sexual desire and decreased sexual activity. 

Interestingly, sexual dysfunction was not associated with tumor stage at diagnosis, type of surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, with or without reconstruction), axillary lymph node removal or lymphedema. 

The Bottom Line:

The Pink Affair 2011!!! 

Your Support is Needed to Make this Evening a Success!

 

The Pink Affair is an annual fundraising event hosted by the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) North Fulton Link Alumnae Chapter to fund the fight against breast cancer and provide support to women with breast cancer.

 

TurningPoint is a major beneficiary of The Pink Affair.

 

 When: Saturday, March 19th

Where: Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, GA

 

For more information & to purchase tickets visit The Pink Affair.

 

                                

Cynthia Johnston MS, RN is the counselor at TurningPoint. Cynthia meets with women on an individual basis, facilitates a group for women with Stage IV breast cancer, and leads workshops dealing

with many subjects, including family issues, body image, and sexuality. Since joining TurningPoint 5  years ago, her work has had a positive impact on the  individuals who have met with her.

Cynthia is a retired psychiatric nurse who has worked in the Georgia mental health system, private practice, and with mental health boards. She graduated from the Emory University School of Nursing and, following a few years in medical nursing, entered into psychiatric nursing. Her experience has primarily been with children, adolescents, and families focusing on behavioral issues, family growth, and development. Other areas of Cynthia's experience include grief counseling and the facilitation of workshops concerning family issues.

Cynthia and her husband, Bill, live in a home in the beautiful mountains near Cleveland, GA. They have 3 adult children and two grandchildren. She is passionate about her family, friends, being  involved in her community and church, and photography.

"TurningPoint provides - and believes in - the physical and emotional support of women dealing with breast cancer, as well as the medical and emotional issues attached to it," Cynthia says. "TurningPoint offers skilled, knowledgeable, and caring staff to work with women in a safe and comfortable setting. I appreciate being involved with a professional group that provides this level of care."

TurningPoint provides free access to counseling with Cynthia in individual, group, and workshop format. Cynthia notes that most women only need one to three individual sessions to confidentially sort out many of their concerns, fears, and questions. Many issues women with breast cancer bring up relate to the fear of "what's next," personal issues, relationships with their partners, body image concerns, and how to talk with family members, friends, and children (young and adult). 

Many clients have benefitted from working with Cynthia and have very positive comments. "Cynthia helped me express my concerns and worked me through each one," one says. "I felt so alone and that I was the only one to have these feelings. Cynthia assured me that my issues were common." Many women express that "other's just don't get it." This is not because friends and family don't care; it is simply that others have not walked in the same shoes. Another client says, "Cynthia understands where I am with my anxiety and concerns, I didn't have to explain myself or apologize."

Cynthia affirms that TurningPoint holds a special place in her heart. "My focus with the women at TurningPoint is to help them to find strength during their time of illness and recovery, to provide information that will assist in their growth, to be a sounding board, and to simply be there for them." She says that the amazing women of TurningPoint give more to her than she gives to them. However, if you ask the women whom Cynthia has worked with, they might beg to differ.