Cancer Resources

October has officially begun and for the past 25 years it has brought with it the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found among women.

I don’t like thinking about that any more than you do. It makes me worry not only about my own health, but about the health of my mom, sister, friends, etc. But, I’m learning that we’re not helpless. Great research is currently being done around the world, and there are a number of causes worth giving to.

While there are a number of ways to support “the cause” through direct giving, an easy way is to . . .

. . . Buy Pink!

Today, many companies make it possible to feel like your beautiful self and fight breast cancer. Continue reading ‘Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a Beautiful Way’ »

Four years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancerous tumor could not be felt by me or my gynecologist or the surgeon who performed my mastectomy. My film mammogram and my ultra sound were inconclusive, but I had a radiologist that wouldn’t stop. The tumor finally showed up on a diagnostic mammogram. It was difficult to see and impossible to feel because the tumor was in the back of my breast close to the chest wall. I am one of those very fortunate women who have not become a statistic. Over 40,000 women die every year from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths of women in the United States. (Lung cancer is first.) While there are no guarantees in life, there are measures to take to give you an edge.

There are two types of screening mammograms: digital and film. Get a yearly digital mammogram. They are more definitive than a film mammogram. A digital mammogram takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it on a computer. Images can be enhanced and brightened for a clearer reading by a radiologist. Digital mammograms use less radiation than a film mammogram. A film mammogram takes a picture of the breast on film, like a picture. It can’t be altered, magnified, or brightened. Continue reading ‘October is Breast Cancer Month’ »

You found the lump in one of your breasts. You have spoken with your doctor, and now you have decisions to make. Do I have a double mastectomy or just on the breast that has the lump?

What do I do about the other breast? That one is fine, has feeling, is normal, what about that one?

This question is posed from many perspectives, and many women have often wondered if they made the right choice. Well…it really depends on you and your situation.

Over the years as I have spoken and shared my story in groups of women, I have had the honor of hearing their stories; intimate details and thoughts from women who have had breast cancer

Their gut-wrenching and tough decisions that were made almost on a moment’s notice, have brought me to conclude a very important truth; No matter what decision you make – you will always seem to wonder what would have been if you chose the other way. Continue reading ‘What About the OTHER Breast?’ »

Once upon a time, the diagnosis of breast cancer would mean death penalty for women. Today, as modern medicine has advanced with new technological breakthroughs, it is possible to survive a breast cancer diagnosis if detection occurs at very early stages of the disease. Therefore it is important that detection and treatment begin as early as possible to get the highest chance of survival for the afflicted victim.

Breast cancer treatment occurs in various stages. Normally, it depends much on how advanced the growth of the cancer cell is. A TNM staging is used to determine the stage of the cancer growth. It depends much on how much the cancer has metastases or spread to the other parts of the body. Based on this reading, the doctor will decide the best form of treatment for a patient.

Surgery

The most common type of surgery used to remove cancer cells is referred to as the conservative surgery. This occurs when a surgeon removes the cancerous tissues form the body of a patient and leaving the healthy ones intact. A sample of the nearby healthy tissues is also removed. The sample is sent to a laboratory for a reading test, If those reading comes out as normal or healthy then it simply means that the surgeon has been successful in removing the cancer cells. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer Treatment’ »

Throughout the month of October you will see more pink than Paris Hilton has in her wardrobe, but it’s all for a cause well worth supporting. Breast cancer is the most widespread of the cancer groups of with billions of dollars being spent for various treatments and research to find a cure for this fast growing and deadly disease.

This month, NFL teams will be sporting “pink” on their jersey’s, helmets, wristbands and shoes. These pink ribbon/NFL shields will be worn not only by the players, but coaches and staff. It’s a group effort to show the NFL’s support in the fight. Continue reading ‘Everyone is Finding a Way to Invest in the Fight Against Breast Cancer’ »

Quite simply, breast cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells. The growths can be in the form of a tumor, lump, or lots of cancer cells.

Tests are needed to determine whether it is actually a lump or a cyst. Cysts are often non-cancerous (or benign) and can be filled with fluid which is often tested.

However, if the lump is found to be solid, then a sample will need to be taken from the lump and from the lymph nodes nearby. This is essential to make a diagnosis and determine whether the lump is cancerous.

If the lump has to be removed, then this is often followed up with chemotherapy treatment to destroy any remaining cancerous cells. Sometimes this treatment needs to be very aggressive, especially if the cancer has started to spread. This can occur when cells from the lump break away and start to spread. The cancer is said to be metastasized. Continue reading ‘A Laywoman's Guide to Breast Cancer’ »

Over 200,000 women this year will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those 200,000 more than 40,000 of them will die. Breast Cancer can be defined as a malignant tumor that is found in the breast(s). No one knows for sure what causes the cancer. For a small percentage of people it is hereditary. If one or more women in your family has gotten breast cancer then there is a greater risk for you to get it as well. For that reason many women are opting to take preventative measures.

Preventive mastectomy is when women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in a single breast decide to have both breast removed. The women who typically opt to do this are those in the high risk category such as those with a family history. Preventive mastectomies are becoming more common researchers show. What is also becoming more common is women who have not yet been diagnosed but have a strong family history of the disease are opting to get the procedure done. This has many researchers concerned. The reason for concern is because having the procedure does not guarantee that they will not get the disease. Also studies are inconclusive as to the effect removing both breast will be. Continue reading ‘Preventive Mastectomy – Women Opting to Have Both Breast Removed to Prevent Breast Cancer’ »

When you think of the month of October, the first thing that probably comes to mind is goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. Decorations and Haunted houses. People wearing scary masks and costumes. However for some people October is not about wearing scary masks and costumes. It is the month to wear a special pink ribbon. Did you know that October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Instead of thinking about what you are going to wear as your Halloween costume this month, commit to wearing that special pink ribbon or bracelet. Support and bring awareness to a cause for those are living with the disease, those who are in remission, and those were unfortunate enough to have lost their battle.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. Over 40,000 of these women will die from this disease this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women preceded by lung cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate. Men can also get the disease although this is less often. There are over 2 million survivors of the disease living in the U.S today. But far too many have lost the battle.

Breast cancer can strike anyone at anytime and now more than ever awareness is needed. This month you will most likely witness supporters all over the country marching to support the cause. Thousands of women, children, and men will be joining breast cancer walks and proudly wearing their pink ribbons. Join them and donate to support the cause. You may also notice that many major corporations have added the pink ribbon to their labels. So if you see an item whether it be food or clothing that has a pink ribbon on the box or the tag, chances are if you purchase the item a portion of the proceeds will go to support the cause. Continue reading ‘October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Support the Cause Today’ »

Finally I’ve got some good news for my mom and her friends–who have been fretting over breast cancer risks ever since one of their close pal died of this cancer a couple of years ago. To keep the dreaded disease at bay, these women on the wrong side of 50, need to stay fit and physically active. And my mom should not worry because she is quite active, even though she crossed 58 last month.

She’ll be too glad to know that moderate to vigorous exercise have been found to reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, especially if the women are not overweight. Simply put, it’s not just aerobics, running or fast jogging, but heavy housework like scrubbing floors or washing windows too can keep malignant breast disease at bay in older women. This is the finding of a group of researchers based at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland published in the journal BMC Cancer. Continue reading ‘Rigorous Exercise Can Cut the Chances of Developing Breast Cancer in Older Women’ »

President Barack Obama proclaimed October as a Breast Cancer Month and announced resolute support of his administration to fight Breast cancer. For needed fundraising for a cause, he asked the Government agencies like, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to invest over $1 billion in research only this year to strengthen the awareness and knowledge of Breast Cancer development that can lead to improvements in its prevention and treatment.

No doubt such proclamations, encouraging citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, Pink Merchandise sellers, and other interested groups to join or support activities that will help Americans understand what they can do to prevent and control Breast Cancer. To support related activities of individuals and organizations, fundraising for a cause is in full swing. You must have observed hundred of activists and organizations are supporting different type of events in their area of work. They are distributing Pink Merchandise to Families, friends, and participants in their awareness drive, and letting them join hands in helping fundraising for a cause. Continue reading ‘Fundraising For a Cause of Breast Cancer in October’ »