When diagnosed with cancer, changes not only affect the inside of your body, but the outside as well.

Coping with that change can be difficult, especially for women.

For the past 20 years, women cancer patients in active treatment have been given the opportunity to learn ways to combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.

In just one class, these women are learning much more than cosmetic lessons.

First, she heard the news.

Then, Ileen Parde's skin and hair began to change.

Breast cancer was taking over her body.

"I've had some problems, which have set me back a little bit, but I'm hanging in there," said Parde, Lincoln.

Ileen had surgery in March. Since then, she said she has not felt the same.

"With some complications, mom wasn't mom, but it's getting better," said Parde. "They know you're okay. If you have a smile on, you're okay."

Ileen said smiles have been hard to come by, until she took part in the Look Good...Feel Better Program.

"My skin was different, like it was peeling, and coming to this class tonight, kind of helped me to understand how to keep my skin healthier, take off the old skin, and keep it moisturized. I think it will help put a smile on my face, more," said Parde.

Volunteer cosmetologists, like Mary Schwab, teach women like Ileen, how to cope with skin changes and hair loss during treatment.

"We're trying to help ladies react to change, by giving them the extra step, something that gives them the appearance that their family knew they were before, so that when they go out and face the world, they just go out there as their regular persona, someone who really has a lot of confidence, and doesn't feel ill," said Schwab.

Not only are these women leaving with great tips, they are also leaving each class with a new look on the outside, and in.

"I haven't smiled for months. Now, tonight I smiled," said Parde.

Look Good...Feel Better gives each participant a free bag of cosmetics, worth about $200.

All products are donated to the American Cancer Society by the cosmetic industry.