Cancer care resources

Waiting For Results

The support you need before, in, and after the waiting room.

 Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of this journey. Waiting for screenings. Waiting for appointments. Waiting for results. Preparing for the waiting room or sitting in the unease can feel isolating, overwhelming, and full of uncertainty. And you may not be ready to share this information or fear with your friends of family just yet.

Sharsheret is here to sit with you in those moments… to offer comfort, understanding, and support through it all, and to give you a helping hand forward.

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Cancer care resources

Symptoms, screenings, and scheduling

Screenings, even when they’re routine, can come with a lot of questions. What symptoms should you pay attention to? What happens during a mammogram? When is screening recommended, and for whom? We offer steady guidance around breast cancer screenings and ovarian cancer tests, including what to expect at different appointments, how to prepare, and how genetic risk can play a role.
Take in what feels helpful now, and return to the rest when you’re ready.

Learn about routine screenings

How to Prepare for Your First Mammogram

SCHEDULE RIGHT

Try to book your appointment one week after your period. Your breasts will be less tender.

SKIP DEODORANT THAT DAY

Don’t wear deodorant, lotion, or powder on your chest or underarms. These can show up on the images.

BRING ANY PAST RECORDS

If you’ve had imaging done elsewhere before, bring those records or let the clinic know.

WEAR A TWO-PIECE OUTFIT

Wear a top and bottom so you only need to remove your shirt and bra.

TALK TO THE TECH

Let the technician know it’s your first time so they can explain each step and ease your anxiety.

CALL SHARSHERET

Our team of social workers is here for you in the waiting room as you wait for your mammogram and the results.

Ever seen a mammogram?
Are you at high risk for breast cancer?

Biopsies and additional screenings

Being asked to return for more testing can raise worry, even when it’s a routine part of care. Additional screenings and biopsies help providers take a closer look and often rule out concerns rather than confirm them. Sharsheret can help walk through what these follow-up tests involve, why they are used, and how to get ready so you feel informed at each step. If questions come up before or after an appointment, support is available while you wait for answers.

Precision testing after diagnosis

Precision testing offers a roadmap for personalized care. With guidance from Sharsheret, you can better understand what the results mean and explore treatment options that fit your journey.

Additional Resources:

Fear of the unknown

Uncertainty can feel heavy when you’re waiting for results or decisions about your care. You may notice your mind racing with “what ifs” or worry about what comes next. These feelings are normal, and you don’t have to face them alone.

Sharsheret is here to help you navigate that uncertainty with reassurance, practical information, and guidance. From tips to manage anxiety to ways to process what’s happening, you can find support at your own pace. Take a moment to breathe, and know that even in the unknown, there are steps and resources to help you feel steadier.
Reach out as often as you’d like. Having someone who understands can make the time pass more quickly. We’re eager to wait with you.

A doctor in a white coat shows information on a tablet to an older woman with gray hair. They are seated in a medical office with certificates and posters on the wall in the background.

5 meditation and grounding exercises

  1. Count to 10
    • While it seems obvious, try counting to 10, breathing deeply along the way. When you finish, start again.
  2. Body scan
    • Start at the top of your head or the tip of your toes and focus on each body part, one by one. Imagine you’re breathing into each body part, or imagine a warm light traveling through each body part.
  3. 5 senses
    • Name what you can currently feel, smell, see, taste, and hear.
  4. Spot on the wall
    • Find a spot on the wall, describe everything you can about that spot: whether it is in light or shadow, its color, and whether it is curved, straight, bumpy, smooth, or angled.
  5. Pick a color
    • Choose a color you can see and count how many times you see it on a walk or where you’re seated.

Additional Resources

With support from:

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Sharsheret does not endorse or promote any specific medication, treatment, product, or service.