Thursday, October 25, 2012
Resources for women fighting breast cancer that your doctor doesn't offer.
By the nature of its side effects, cancer treatment can make a private battle a very public affair. For a woman with cancer, having a bald head, pale skin or a missing breast can make her feel like she's being targeted by a bright spotlight and a banner that says, "Cancer patient." But now more than ever, there are resources for women that will put the spotlight back on their work, their accomplishments and their life—and change that banner to simply read, "Woman." High Point Cancer Center in Chalfton offers skin, hair and nail services during treatment, as well as prostheses and wigs. The American Cancer Society also keeps a list of resources for prostheses, wigs and hair loss accessories. Register for a group hands-on makeover workshop …
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.
Generally speaking, a woman in Pennsylvania has 125 in 100,000 chance of getting invasive breast cancer, according to this breast cancer statistics chart from komen.org. An American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to the website. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Meet a local woman who didn't just overcome breast cancer - she kicked its butt.
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Patch sat down for a Q & A session with local breast-cancer survivor and activist, Kerri Conner-Matchett. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 33, when her daughter, Madison, was just 2. An Elkins Park resident, she is the author of My Mommy Has Breast Cancer, But She Is Ok. Patch: When were you diagnosed with breast cancer? Kerri: April 2008, 10 years after my mother's diagnosis. Patch: How did you find the cancer? Was there a family history? Did you have higher-than-normal risk for developing breast cancer? Kerri: I have been getting mammograms since the age of 29, because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. The only year I did not get a …
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of incidence of breast cancer in the country. But early detection of breast cancer through routine exams saves thousands of lives every year.
Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of a cure. That in itself is the most important reason to make an appointment today for a breast exam or mammogram. Here is a list of local places where you can go for mammograms and breast exams in Montgomery County: Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington Health Center/Mary T. Sachs Breast Center - Schilling Campus, and Abington Health Center - Warminster Campus. Call 215-481-EXAM to scheduling an appointment. Lansdale Hospital. Call 215-853-8040 to schedule an appointment. Mercy Suburban Hospital, East Norriton. Call 610-292-7100 to schedule an appointment. Lansdale Imaging Center.Call 215-393-7179 to schedule an appointment. Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. …
Friday, October 12, 2012
It was no accident that the pink ribbon was selected to become the internationally recognized and accepted symbol of breast cancer.
When you see a pink ribbon in October, or any other time of year, you know what it means: breast cancer. It’s an internationally recognized symbol of breast cancer awareness, of moral support for breast cancer sufferers and survivors, of financial support for breast cancer research and hope for a cure. But why a ribbon? And why pink? According to Think Before You Pink’s History of the Pink Ribbon, the ribbon movement took flight in the 70s, when the wife of a hostage in Iran tied yellow ribbons around the trees in her front yard, to show hope for the safe return of her husband. Her story appeared on the nightly news, and people around the country tied their own yellow ribbons in a show of solidarity. In 1990 AIDS activists adopted the …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means a variety of pink products will be hitting the shelves. But, do your pink purchases always go towards the cause?
A wave of pink is flooding stores everywhere, as retailers participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the savvy shopper, it's an opportunity to donate to a good cause while snagging unique, pink-hued items. Panera Bread sells Pink Ribbon Bagels throughout October, made with cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar. A portion of the proceeds from Pink Ribbon Bagels is donated to breast cancer charities. Macy's Pink Shop has a plethora of pink items, incuding clothing, nailpolish, men's ties, makeup, jewelry, tweezers, pillows, even KitchenAid and Cuisinart kitchen electrics. Each purchase of a participating item funds awareness, research and education in the fight against breast cancer. …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here's a list of local breast cancer support groups.
One in 8 American women and 1 in 1,000 American men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year. Breast cancer is difficult to face alone—for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups. Breast Cancer Support Group, Lansdale Hospital. This self-help group for breast cancer patients meets the first Monday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m., as well as the third Thursday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn coping techniques through sharing of ideas and experiences. For more information call Callie Durivage at 215-412-5093. Can Surmount. …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
From galas to walks to shopping, here's how you can participate, pledge support and donate to the cause in your Montgomery County.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Montgomery County and beyond: In addition to these events throughout the county, Pennsylvania residents will be participating in PA Breast Cancer Coalition in Pennsylvania walks and running events almost every Saturday in October. There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure. Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects …
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Research shows good nutrition and exercise can help prevent breast cancer. Here are some resources around the Montco area to help you stay healthy.
You might be able to find help fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers at your local grocery store and fitness centers, according to the research findings of Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD. Dr. Neuhouser is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in nutritional sciences. She is an investigator at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Some factors may prevent breast and prostate cancer and improve survivorship in those diagnosed with cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die …
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Many area fundraisers earn cold, hard cash for Awareness efforts.
- AWARENESS
- Liz Sims
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
When it comes to fund-raising efforts for breast cancer causes, it’s the passion, the sisterhood, the tireless efforts and the pink tidal wave that seems to push millions of volunteers into action. There’s the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, which has raised about $400 million and has about seven million walkers in its events. There’s the Susan G. Komen For the Cure® and Race for the Cure® events, which include more than 140 foot races and 1.6 million participants on four continents. In the Greater Philadelphia region, the Susan G. Komen is well known for its fundraising efforts. Many Montgomery County residents participate in the annual Three-Day, a walk that has raised $600 million for the cause since its …
Mike Shortall
10:03 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Thought I could "chip in" with something I thought was an impressive contribution from an unlikely source: http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-22/news/34629112_1_double-mastectomies-breast-cancer-marisa-weiss more ›