Breast Cancer Awareness Perks to Be Aware Of
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While I think we're so oversaturated with days and months dedicated to a specific disease—there are more than 150 health observances, according to this website—that the efforts may be counterproductive, I'm impressed by all the offerings over the next few weeks for breast cancer survivors and those concerned about preventing the disease.
Breast cancer patients can get a complimentary assessment with a medical device called L-Dex to check for signs of lymphedema, a swelling that occurs in the arm following breast cancer treatments, at various Susan G. Komen Foundation events. Some states like Connecticut and Delaware are offering mobile mammography events for women to get screened, and hospitals like St. Vincent's in New York City will be offering free screenings on October 17, which is National Mammography Day.
America Online has even gotten into the act with this Web page providing basic ways to educate yourself about your own risk and what to expect when you get a mammogram. Oh, and don't forget to check out the U.S. News site on breast cancer and our archive of articles to update you on the latest breast cancer news—even when it's not October.
If you're into pink, the signature color of breast cancer activists, then you can accessorize to the hilt with proceeds going toward breast cancer research organizations. You can also participate in an American Cancer Society walk in your local area to raise research funds. And if you're interested in some hope and inspiration, read about 68-year-old Audrey Gonzalez, who managed to climb Mount Everest three months after her treatment ended.
Tags: breast cancer | women's health
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Pink Ribbons
Sorry, but pink is NOT, "the signature color of breast cancer activists." It is a color hijacked by Komen and other organizations to provide marketing opportunities to companies that want to sell you stuff. It is well documented that only a tiny share of the proceeds goes to breast cancer organizations. And the companies are not giving their own money--only a portion of their products.
Most breast cancer survivors HATE pink and feel overwhelmed and depressed by the pinking of October and having to run a gauntlet of pink products every time we enter a retail establishment during October.
Some of us are fighting back with Boycott October and the Battle for October.
See my blog, The Assertive Cancer Patient, for more:
www.assertivepatient.com
Jeanne Sather
Reply to nasty post -setting the record straight
Been There of NJ
Firstly-
Your tone is way out of line. You can attack or disagree w/me in a more constructive manner. Apparently your were very emotion. I'm a class act, and don't live at that level.
You can take step to lower your risks, according to John Hopkins, Cornell, and a class I was advised to take for my risk factor (family history). My doctor has been a wealth of info.
I never said anything about absolutes, but research is indicating enviormental factors in the BC epidemic.
Of course you can do all the right things (definition varies), and still get BC. Where did I state otherwisw?
Oy Vey, give me a prozac.
"Think Before You Pink" is a really great campaign. Breast Cancer.org is one of the few 501 (c)'s not just hiding profits under the non-profit umbrella.
Breast Cancer
Breasts are one of the most important and sensitive parts of a woman. It sometimes irks me how most of these "Breast Cancer Awareness" programs are supporting the AMA approved MD's approach, that is almost always one-sided: Mammograms. if anything looks out of the normal - surgery, chemo, and the accompanying pharmaceuticals. The net result - masectomy, reconstructive surgery, and a woman losing a vital part of her body.
Why isn't there fairness, that supports the numerous holistic alternatives that obviously work using natural remedies? In most cases insurance won't fund this unless an MD pre-approves this, yet in most cases they do not support natural healing. Another why? Because it costs less and that means less profit for hospitals and MD's.
Prevention is the best medicine. That means proper diet, thoughts, and generally avoiding situations that might impact the problem. There is lots of information up at my website on this issue, and am presently consulting with numerous women to put up a new site specifically for Breast Healing.
http://www.HealingNews.com
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