Cancer First Calls
Helping you navigate your breast cancer journey with Charles Weaver, MD, Medical Oncologist, Medical Advisor.
Hearing the diagnosis of breast cancer can send your mind into a whirlwind. It is one of those moments that will stay in your mind forever. Once you are past the initial shock, it is normal to have a million thoughts and questions going through your head. You need someone to help you organize those thoughts and answer questions about your diagnosis. That is where Cancer First Call comes in.
Cancer First Call is a unique and innovative service provided by The Personalized Medicine Foundation, which is dedicated to helping cancer patients navigate their journey. This is a personalized service to help newly diagnosed or recently recurrent breast cancer patient understand their diagnosis and determine the next steps in navigating their treatment. During their “first call,” patients learn how to proceed to begin the most effective treatment for their type and stage of breast cancer. Each patient is connected with an oncologist who can provide valuable information and guidance through this overwhelming process.
How does it work
This free service is available to anyone with a breast cancer diagnosis – you can visit the Cancer First Call website and fill out the online registration. A member of Cancer First Call will contact you and schedule a time to talk with an oncologist who will review your situation, answer questions, and help you determine the next steps.
- 1. Information regarding your specific breast cancer diagnosis and what it means
- 2. Answer questions regarding your diagnosis
- 3. Help create a list of questions to ask your doctor at the first or next visit
- 4. Go over why and how to get a second opinion
- 5. Explain the role of clinical trials and whether these may be right for you
- 6. Give you access to success rate and clinical trial information regarding recommended treatments
Personalized Advocacy Program
First of its kind where oncologists help patients directly
Breast cancer patients need an advocate on their side to help them determine the best treatment and pathway to recovery for their situation. Cancer First Call provides an advocacy service specifically for breast cancer patients. Oncologists participating in Cancer First Call provide a personalized recommendation for each patient, not tainted by what their doctor, clinic, or insurance company believes is best for them.
“The mission of the Personalized Medicine Foundation (PMF) is to help individuals impacted by a cancer diagnosis understand the growing role of genetics, genomics, and precision medicines in the treatment of their cancer and provide a community where rapidly advancing treatment information essential to personalized cancer care can be accessed and shared in a safe environment. Together with organizations like LLL, we hope to help individuals be better prepared to navigate their cancer diagnosis.”
Dr. Charles Weaver
Medical Oncologist, Advisor - Learn Look Locate
Conversation with our medical advisor
Dr. Charles H Weaver on Breast Cancer Connect Community
“Welcome to this beautiful page where my medical advisor, Dr. Charles Weaver, Medical Oncologist, is here to help guide you through navigating these uncharted waters. I was so frightened and overwhelmed and filled with questions, and I only wish I had this incredible resource where Dr. Weaver is here to help guide you through the road ahead with his expertise and commitment to helping patients be empowered with knowledge to assist you on this difficult journey.”
Free Guidance After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A breast cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Cancer First Calls offers free guidance to help you better understand your diagnosis, prepare questions, explore treatment options and identify the next steps to discuss with your medical team.
Prepare for Your Next Breast Cancer Conversation
The right information and questions can help you feel more confident about your care. Explore expert interviews, second-opinion videos and trusted resources covering diagnosis, treatment decisions, surgery, reconstruction and clinical trials.
Medical oncologist and Learn Look Locate Medical Advisor Dr. Charles Weaver explains why self-advocacy matters, how rapidly breast cancer treatment is evolving and why understanding your precise diagnosis and every available option can lead to more personalised care.
Hear why obtaining an independent second opinion can provide greater clarity, reveal additional options and help you feel more confident before making important treatment decisions.
Learn how another medical perspective may confirm your treatment plan, identify alternatives or raise important questions that were not previously discussed.
Understand why feeling comfortable with your medical oncologist matters and how a true independent second opinion can support more informed and personalised care.
Explore expert insights designed to help you understand your choices, communicate with your healthcare team and become an informed participant in your breast cancer care.
Explore breast cancer types, pathology, genetic and genomic testing, recurrence and other information that may influence your individual treatment plan.
Learn about breast surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine therapy and other treatments that may be included in an individual breast cancer care plan.
Learn about breast cancer surgery options, preparation and recovery through expert guidance from breast surgical oncologist and Learn Look Locate Medical Advisor Dr. Yara Robertson.
Compare implant-based reconstruction, procedures using your own tissue, sensation-preserving techniques, Goldilocks mastectomy and aesthetic flat closure.
Learn how clinical trials work, why they may be worth discussing early and how to explore studies that could be relevant to your diagnosis and treatment needs.
This content has been medically reviewed by:
Medical Oncologist and Medical Advisor for Learn Look Locate
