Pink Ladies - Breast Cancer Awareness

Too many friends have been touched.

Since I am in the health care field--dental hygiene and massage therapy--I hear the stories of many women, and a few men, who are battling breast cancer. These folks are not only my patients, but my friends. I have also lost one dear friend in the past few years.

How could I help? I wondered. Then, it hit me. I could set aside a percentage of the royalties from my novels. To begin with, I am helping a local support group affiliated with one of our hospitals. They provide support and information for patients, as well as prosthetics. What an amazing group of people!

As my fiction spreads out --mostly by word of mouth-- I hope to be able to spread my support to a national level.

Everyone has to have a dream!

To sit idly by and do nothing but feel bad accomplishes nothing. This past year, I took the first step toward actively joining in the fight.

Reminders to Do Your Breast Self-Examination

There is something each one of us can do to fight against breast cancer, and it doesn't cost, but a few minutes of your time: Monthly Breast Self-Exams (BSE). Are you taking the time for BSE?

Cancer Fighting Foods/Spices

The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralize the damage caused by free radicals to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore. There isn't a single element in a particular food that does all the work: The best thing to do is eat a variety of foods.

The following foods have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size.

Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. They also supply even more potassium than bananas and are a strong source of beta-carotene. Scientists also believe that avocados may also be useful in treating viral hepatitis (a cause of liver cancer), as well as other sources of liver damage.

OUR STORIES

On 5-31-05, at the age of 27, I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. I have started a website www.supportthefight.com to share MY story and other survivors stories on there as well. Check it out and would love to share YOUR story on there as well! Stay strong, AND remember...attittude is EVERYTHING!!!

3 Day Breast Cancer Walk Sept/07

I have started training for the 2007 Seattle Breast Cancer 3-day Walk occuring in September of 2007.

Join me in the fight against breast cancer!

This will be my very first time participating in this amazing event, one of which I am looking very forward to with much support, encouragement and motivation!!

I am walking:

- in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

- for my beautiful girls who I hope will never have to fight this battle.

- and to help find a cure as well as to reach my own personal goals of weight loss and health.

Please support me as I take an amazing journey in the fight against breast cancer! The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. I believe fundraising is one of the most difficult aspects of getting ready for the walk and I ask your support in reaching my goal of 2,300. Every donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. Please :)

Just click on the following link to be directed to my webpage:

http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/chellesjourney

Stages of Breast Cancer

After breast cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the body.

The process used to find out whether the cancer has spread within the breast or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.

What is breast cancer?

The breast is a gland that consists of breast tissue supported by connective tissue (flesh) surrounded by fat.

The easiest way to understand how the inside of the breast is formed is by comparing it to an upturned bush. Its leaves are known as lobules and they produce milk that drains into ducts that are the branches of the breast tree. These in turn drain into 12 or 15 major or large ducts which empty onto the surface of the nipple, just like the branches of a tree drain to the trunk.

Breast cancer develops from the cells that line the breast, lobules and the draining ducts.

Cancer cells that remain confined to the lobule and the ducts are called 'in situ' or 'non-invasive'. They are sometimes also referred to as pre-cancers in recognition of the fact that these cells have not yet gained the ability to spread to other parts of the body, which is the feature that most people associate with cancer.

An invasive cancer is one where the cells have moved outside the ducts and lobules into the surrounding breast tissue.