Community Partner: Turning Point

Turning Point
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Car, Compassion, Clinical Excellence

By Thomas Smith

Care, compassion and clinical excellence are the hallmarks of TurningPoint, which is an amazing, 501c3 non-profit organization that helps women overcome side effects of breast cancer treatment and regain an active life.

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That means most of us are touched by the disease through someone we know, be it a family member, neighbor, friend or colleague. However, you may not realize that there are several common, long-term and late effects associated with breast cancer and its treatment. These include pain, loss of arm/shoulder motion and function, lymphedema (chronic arm/hand swelling), osteoporosis, weight gain, deconditioning, altered body image, and anxiety related to family and social relationships.

Often, breast cancer patients in the U.S. may not receive rehabilitation and support to address the effects of diagnosis and treatment. This may be due, in part, to limited access to these services and lack of awareness the role of rehabilitation and supportive services can play in managing these issues. In fact, many breast cancer survivors may not be aware of the benefits of exercise and maintaining a healthy weight to improve physical function and reduce the risk of recurrence.

TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation is a community-based clinic that plays an instrumental role for breast cancer patients and survivors who may experience challenges with activities that were considered routine, such as lifting a crying baby, hitting a tennis ball, or reaching for an item in a kitchen cabinet. The organization helps them regain their range of motion and strength, allowing them to return to the activities so integral to their lives prior to diagnosis. TurningPoint was founded in 2003 by Jill Binkley, a two-time breast cancer survivor and physical therapist, who saw the void in survivorship care firsthand.

TurningPoint addresses the unmet physical rehabilitation, psychosocial and wellness needs of breast cancer patients and survivors living in metro Atlanta and surrounding counties. It is located at 8010 Roswell Road, Suite 120, Atlanta. Since its inception, TurningPoint has provided care for more than 3,700 women of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds facing the long-term and late effects of breast cancer and its treatment. The clinic provides tailored, evidence-based services including physical therapy, exercise, lymphedema management, massage therapy, psychosocial and nutritional counseling to its patients. Additionally, TurningPoint offers monthly educational programs that address the myriad survivorship issues impacting patients and their caregivers.

TurningPoint offers a uniquely integrated approach to rehabilitation and survivorship, serving approximately 650 patients annually. Nearly 28% of patients served received full or partial financial aid, with the goal of accepting all patients seeking treatment.

TurningPoints patients, with their awe-inspiring determination, reflect the encouragement and life-changing support that is provided. Patients served not only receive a range of impactful services and treatment, but are welcomed with genuine warmth and compassion from all the knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

For more information about TurningPoint and its upcoming events, including its signature fundraiser the Pink Affair, visit MyTurningPoint.org.