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Charyn Pfeuffer
Author of Breast Cancer Q&A
charyn@breastcancerqanda.com In
addition to authoring Breast Cancer Q&A, Pfeuffer's editorial work has been
featured in newspapers and national publications such as The Boston Phoenix, Urban
View, Philadelphia Weekly, Portland Phoenix, Providence Phoenix, New Living Magazine,
Style Magazine, Marie Claire, Bride's and Mademoiselle. Her book has been mentioned
in Los Angeles Magazine, Philadelphia Style Magazine, Philadelphia Daily News,
Philadelphia City Paper, and First for Women Magazine. She has also been interviewed
on TV programs, as well as on numerous radio talk shows, including National Public
Radio and Way Too Early with award-winning Public Affairs Director, Harry O. She
lives near the beach in San Francisco with her long-time boyfriend and lop bunny.
| MH | What
inspired you to write this book? | |
CP | I
lost my mother when I was 17 years old to a whirlwind battle with cancer. Even
though I was only a senior in high school, I was frustrated by the lack of resources
for women, much less comprehensible resources. Medical lingo can be difficult
to digest, especially when the letters RN or PhD don't follow your name or you're
facing the confusion of a diagnosis. Making choices, or I should say, informed
choices is difficult when you can't get your hands on what you want/need to know.
My personal experience, coupled with my volunteerism with the Women's Cancer Resource
Center in Oakland, CA and a passion for empowerment is what truly sparked this
project. | | MH | What
would it take for this book to be a success? | |
CP | I'm
not seeking what most people would consider 'success' in terms of this book. It's
unfortunate that such resources need to exist in the first place, and that in
the 30+ years since Nixon declared a 'war on cancer,' trillions of dollars have
been spent on research and yet more Americans than ever are dying from cancer
and there still isn't a cure. I'm grateful to be in a position where I can use
my writing skills to help educate and empower women. I've been able to apply my
research and knowledge on very practical levels, like conducting information sessions
for underpriviledged women in transitional housing. To me, that is success. |
| MH | The
forward of your book talks about your volunteer service at the Women's Cancer
Resource Center (WCRC), how has your volunteer service shaped your life? How has
it shaped the book? | |
CP | Volunteerism,
especially in the area of women and cancer, has been a grounding experience for
me. I feel strongly about giving back to your local community in whatever way
you can, and since I work from home, I have the luxury of donating a bit of my
time each week. Working with emotionally charged women, who are dealing with a
life-threatening illness puts everything into perspective for me. It is inspiring,
and an honor, to have my life intersect with these woman warriors each week. I've
also learned, mostly from the work of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, that it doesn't
take much to make a difference. In my volunteer role, I can simply listen to someone
and it will make a woman's day. Likewise for this book, I felt that it was a natural
transition of my contributions at WCRC into my professional career to make a difference.
| | MH | How
has the development of this book changed your life? |
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CP | Where
do I begin? The actually process of developing and writing the book has been a
wild ride. I don't know many people who look forward to getting up and doing their
work each and every day, so I am lucky. Many, many women shared a bit of themselves
and their experiences with me, and were a constant source of inspiration. I learned
a tremendous amount of information about cancer, biology, medicine, holistic health,
politics and humor. Every woman I encountered emphasized the importance of humor
in the face of adversity. Now that the book is published, the amount of support
I've been receiving from random women and organizations has been overwhelming. |
| MH | How
did you choose the questions? | |
CP | At
WCRC, I kept a notebook of the questions women were calling in with. I also asked
a lot of breast cancer survivors, "What were your immediate questions and
concerns when you were diagnosed?" Over a period of 3-4 months, I tallied
up the top contenders and made a list, and divided it into categories. |
| MH | Your
book lists the 100 most frequently asked questions about breast cancer, what is
the #1 asked question? | |
CP | In
my experience, most women seem immediately concerned with whether they are going
to live or die. Once they get over the initial shock of hearing the "C"
word and start to process the diagnosis, the focus typically shifts to living.
| | MH | Will
you continue to write books? What is your next step? |
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CP | Yes!
I'm currently finishing up ghostwriting a manuscript for the former VP of the
Men's Wearhouse about his business and personal experiences during his 28 years
of managing the day-to-day marketing and merchandising for MW. I would like to
write more female-focused books in the future-I have a mental Filofax overflowing
with possible projects. | | MH | How
did you choose the questions? | |
CP | At
WCRC, I kept a notebook of the questions women were calling in with. I also asked
a lot of breast cancer survivors, "What were your immediate questions and
concerns when you were diagnosed?" Over a period of 3-4 months, I tallied
up the top contenders and made a list, and divided it into categories. |
| MH | Your
book tour starts soon. Is there a schedule available so people can meet you in
person? | |
CP | Yes.
All of my events are listed on my website, BreastCancerQandA.com.
It is updated regularly, and it looks like events are extending though October
(Breast Cancer Awareness Month.) People can also email me at charyn@breastcancerqanda.com.
| | MH | If
you could give some advice to women before or after they are diagnosed with breast
cancer, what would you tell them? | |
CP | Breathe.
Since I've only been a bystander to cancer, this may be easier said than done.
But, as an observant bystander, I think it's important to breathe and take your
time in making decisions. It takes a long time for a breast cancer tumor to form,
so while your immediate reaction may be to rid your body if it ASAP, there are
many factors to consider-treatment options, getting second opinions, complementary
health, surgery, drugs, side effects, long and short-term effects, fertility,
etc. I feel that it is better to take an extra week or two to talk to other women
and to make informed decisions, rather than by default. It's important to remember
that it's your body, and although doctors possess a wealth of medical knowledge,
only you will know what is best for you. | | MH | Can
this book help family members of breast cancer patients or is this book designed
specifically for individuals with breast cancer? | |
CP | I
wrote Breast Cancer Q&A with the intent of it being helpful to anyone who
wants quick, easy-to-understand answers about breast cancer. Sometimes, it's hard
for the person with cancer to keep friends, family and co-workers in the loop
of the treatments, drugs, etc. and this book provides a glimpse of what is taking
place, It also has an extensive resource section, with information specific to
a variety of groups (Children, Lesbians, Latinas, Low-Income, etc…)
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