Local Resources
The South Puget Sound community benefits from a wide array of outstanding health care and non-profit organizations available to patients, their families, and friends looking for information about breast care, breast health, breast cancer and support groups, wigs, prosthetics or treatment options.
Below is a list of local resources, each with links to additional information:
American Cancer Society
Local searchable database for cancer resources
Breast Cancer Resource Center Early Detection Voucher Program,
now called First Look Voucher Program
Please note that the Breast Cancer Resource Center in Tacoma closed in July 2012.
This program is now being offered by the Carol Milgard Breast Center under the name First Look Voucher Program. This program provides financial assistance for women ages 34 and under or men of any age – who are uninsured, low income, experiencing breast problems and in need of diagnostic breast imaging services.
(253) 301-6616 Click here for a First Look Voucher Program Application.
Breast, Cervical & Colon Health Program
This is a program for uninsured or underinsured low income patients; for women between 40-64 years of age (limited openings are available for women between 35-39) and men between 50-64 years old. It is early detection program for breast, cervical, and colon cancers. The program helps to provide a primary care provider for a wellness exam, as well as funding for screening exams. Representatives can help patients determine if they qualify over the phone.
Citrine Health manages this program for Pierce County.
(888) 651-8931
Cancer Lifeline
Washington state toll-free 24-hour Lifeline phone number and program for emotional support and information.
(800) 255-5505
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Breast Cancer Education
Health system breast cancer information
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Cancer Care Center
Health system cancer program
Franciscan Health System
Health system overview including hospitals, clinics and health care providers
Korean Women’s Association Breast Cancer Navigator Program
Breast Cancer Navigators help save lives by increasing early detection of breast cancer in medically underserved minority women. Women diagnosed with breast cancer receive one-on-one services from navigators who provide practical and emotional support in managing the disease as well as help them find and connect to timely, high-quality medical care.
(253) 535-4202
Leaders in Women’s Health (LIWH)
A group of volunteers deeply committed to changing the narrative for African American women regarding breast health in our local community. They work strategically with other organizations to think about training, education and early outreach in the African American and medical communities.
Our breast center also partners with the LIWH SistahFriends Program. The SistahFriends Navigators help to identify women in the community who need a mammogram and help them to schedule their screening mammogram at one of the breast center’s screening events.
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a twelve-week, small group program designed for adult cancer survivors. The program fulfills the important need of supporting the increasing number of cancer survivors who find themselves in the transitional period between completing their cancer treatment and the shift to feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to attempt to return to their normal life or their “new normal.” The program is conducted outside of medical facilities to emphasize that the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is about health, not disease.
(800) 872-9622 x 8897
MultiCare Breast Cancer Education
Health system breast cancer information
MultiCare Health System
Health system overview including hospitals, clinics and health care providers
MultiCare Regional Cancer Center
Health system cancer program
Ovarian & Breast Cancer Alliance
Seattle area non-profit organization providing ovarian and breast cancer information and support.
Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Info & Conference
Pierce County non-profit organization with equal parts inspiration and education. Sponsors annual cancer survivor conference in Tacoma.
Pierce County Community Connections
Connecting low-income families with a variety of local county services, including: family caregiver support, care-related events, and workshops and transportation services.
Pacific Islander Health Alliance NW (PIHA-NW)
After recognizing a need for healthcare outreach and education for Pacific Islanders in Washington state where there is a growing population of Pacific Islanders and an increase in health disparities, PIHA-NW offered to assist in Tacoma providing a variety of health care support services.
PIhealthallianceNW@gmail.com
Sisters of Hope/Brothers of Faith Cancer Support Group
The support group’s mission is to provide a safe, comforting environment for spiritual, emotional, sisterly and brotherly support for people diagnosed with cancer.
(253) 572-2683
Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Puget Sound Affiliate
Komen Puget Sound is the largest private funder of mammograms for low-income underserved women in Washington state. The organization exists to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate within our community and find a cure for the disease.
(206) 633-0303
Bras, Prosthetics, Wigs & Head Coverings
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Resource Center at St. Joseph Medical Center
This program supplies wigs, scarves and hats for all cancer patients in the community.
(253) 426-4237
Knitted Knockers at St. Francis Hospital
Free for mastectomy patients, these prosthetic breasts are placed inside a bra, and are lighter and more comfortable than silicone prosthetic breasts.
(253) 944-4176
MultiCare Healthy Reflections in Gig Harbor and at Tacoma General
With a staff who is certified in bra and prosthetics fittings, the boutique offers a variety of products for patients who are recently diagnosed, going through treatment or in recovery.
(253) 530-8118
MultiCare Good Samaritan Cancer Resource Center in Puyallup
MultiCare’s Good Samaritan Cancer Resource Center is pleased to offer a complimentary virtual wig program for any woman in the community undergoing medical treatment for a cancer diagnosis. No prescription is necessary. Our wig program provides one new high-quality wig, which includes custom color matching, wig liner, and stylish head covering accessories.
Did you know the Dr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Resource Center offers other complimentary services. For more information, click here.
Virtual wig consultations are available:
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm & Friday 9-11am.
Contact: Tamara Miller | (253) 697-4899.
For more information click here.
Nordstrom Prosthesis Program
Skilled Nordstrom Prosthesis Coordinators are trained and certified to fit women who have recently undergone mastectomy, lumpectomy, or other reconstructive surgery. Nordstrom stores offer a wide choice of prostheses, bras and related specialty products. Nordstrom is a provider for selected insurance companies and its coordinators provide Medicare claim filing assistance. In Washington, Oregon and Alaska, contact the local Nordstrom Lingerie Boutique to find out more.
(253) 475-3630, ext. 1240 (Tacoma)
Resource Library
Through support from our founding donors, the Carol Milgard Breast Center offers a Resource Library that is free and typically open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Our resource library offers consumer-friendly, health-oriented brochures, pamphlets and internet access to breast health information.