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Cancer Confusion

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:30:00 -0700

It being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have been reading a lot about cancer. I was surprised that after all my research there were some basic facts about women and cancer that I was still missing. I learned a lot from this article What Women Don't Know About Cancer and here are a few facts you should know.

The vast majority of cancers occur in women who have no family history of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society only five to ten percent of breast cancers are hereditary. So family history may be part of the equation, but most cancers occur in women with no family history at all.
Taking oral contraceptives is associated with a reduced risk of ovarian, uterine, and possibly colorectal cancer
Though more women get more breast cancer than lung cancer, far fewer breast cancer patients die. Eighty percent of lung cancers in women are caused by smoking. I am going to say it one more time, quitting smoking is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body.

start training in the gym, you're also going to want to check out all the cool new gear available this year.

One of my favorite board sport watch companies, Nixon, is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with this Boarding for Breast Cancer Vega Watch ($59.95). This oversized bracelet watch features polycarbonate stretch links and a stainless steel case and square face. It's pink, so you can still show off your girly side as you thrash down the mountain. Two dollars from every pink Vega watch sold goes to Boarding for Breast Cancer!

Another Way to Get Involved: Pilates for Pink

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

October is almost coming to an end, and so is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but there is still time left for you to get involved, physically and monetarily.

Pilates for Pink is a national awareness aimed at raising money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Pilates. To find a participating studio near you and see if they have any more classes for the Pilates for Pink event, just click here. If you don't have enough time to take a class before the month is over, the list provides a great resource for Pilates studios near you, so take a look anyway.

Rethink Breast Cancer: Touch. Look. Check.

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

The more I write about breast cancer, the more I realize the face of the disease is getting younger and younger. Women under 30 are regularly diagnosed with breast cancer – it is no longer a post menopausal disease. I just found the Canadian organization Rethink Breast Cancer. Their focus is not only fundraising for research, but creating awareness about the disease, and their target demographic is women under 40.

As a fundraising event RBC just hosted The Boobyball complete with a Tit for Tat Auction. If the events were as fun as their names, I am sure they raised a lot of dough.

Here is a PSA they have produced to remind you to check your girls. It will definitely give you a feel for the organization.

Remember: TLC = Touch. Look. Check.

Breast Cancer: Prevention and Treatment

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Breast cancer is a deadly disease that 12.6% of all women will get in their lifetime.

As women, it's important for us to know all we can about breast cancer, about what we can do to prevent it, and also what to do if we're diagnosed.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take this quiz to test your knowledge.

Source

Yoplait Lids for Lives Campaign: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I am all for retail philanthropy. I buy (and giveaway) pink ribbon products with a portion of the proceeds going to breast cancer research and support. Truth is, that some purchases don't really add up to much of a donation for your breast cancer organization of choice; it just seems like you should give money directly to the source. The Yoplait Lids for Lives campaign definitely has its heart in the right place, but it seems a little more like a marketing tool than a fund raising project. All you have to do is eat Yoplait yogurt with a pink lid and save the lid. Wash the lid and flatten it. Put it in an envelope. Mail the lid or lids to El Paso, Texas. Then Yoplait will donate 10 cents for every lid you send in to the Susan G. Komen for a Cure foundation.I don't know about you, but I think I would like to just send the Susan G. Komen for a Cure a check directly. I guess if you already eat a lot of pink capped Yoplait yogurt this program makes sense. What do you think:

Yoplait Lids for Lives Campaign: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided.

Other — tell me below.

Sun Bathe to Prevent Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would tell you about a recent and interesting study on the disease. A research team found that increased exposure to sunlight, which increases levels of vitamin D in the body, may decrease the risk of advanced breast cancer. Although researchers have not yet determined why this is so, it appears that vitamin D may play a significant role in slowing the growth of breast cancer cells.

This does not mean you should start laying out to work on your "tan." Skin cancer is still a serious issue. You should, however, look for vitamin D in food sources like fatty fish as well as fortified milk products, cereal and fruit juices. You can also find vitamin D in many multivitamins as well.

Weekend Reading: Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person

FitSugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I was surprised to learn that there was more than one comic book memoir about breast cancer. I would like to write pleasantly surprised, because I love comics and graphic novels, but the memoirs could only be written if the authors went through dealing with the horrible disease. See – not so pleasant.

Miriam Engelberg's memoir in comics, Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person, made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Full of black humor and neurosis, Engelberg honestly explores the dark and odd places her mind wandered during her battle with cancer. Cancer Vixen, another comic memoir of breast cancer, reminded me of Sex and the City, and Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person has more the feel of a Woody Allen film. Self deprecating humor, combined with the simple drawings, works as an entertaining page turner.

Engelberg shares how instead of "living her life to the fullest," like a heroine from a LifeTime movie, she found solace in celebrity crossword puzzles. She laments that during chemo her hair will fall out since she just found the perfect shampoo and conditioner combination. She wants to design a t- shirt with an arrow pointing to the breast with a tumor, since she can feel people staring at her chest when she tells them of her diagnosis.

This wonderful little book is pretty powerful. Full of personal details that make her entire ordeal very real. I really appreciate that Engelberg included, at the back of the book, a resource guide for breast cancer support.

You can buy it for $11.21 from Amazon. Or look for it on the shelves of your local bookstore.

Win a Pink Ribbon Vigor Jacket by New Balance

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Help me help you stay warm while I support breast cancer research. Talk about a win/win situation. New Balance teamed up with the great breast cancer research foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure to create the Lace Up For A Cure clothing line. I am giving away five Pink Ribbon Vigor Jackets with a percentage of the proceeds from the purchase of the jacket going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Just log in and take this quiz. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz. So if you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Also, this part is important, YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO TEAMSUGAR FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT.

The contest ends Monday, Oct. 22, at 1:00 p.m. PDT, and then I'll randomly select five winners from among the quiz-takers. Make sure to log in and take the quiz before then and don't forget to e-mail this to all your friends and family so they can have a chance at it too!

Breast Cancer Patients Feel Better With Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

The one thing we can all agree on is that everyone can benefit from doing yoga. It strengthens our bodies inside and out, and makes us feel relaxed and happy.

A new study has found that special yoga classes, with more restorative poses, can also help women battling breast cancer, especially those not taking chemotherapy. The study included 128 women, and the researchers randomly assigned half to a 12-week yoga program, and the other half were in a control group waiting list.

The classes were offered three times a week, and patients were encouraged to take at least one class a week. This wasn't a typical yoga class. The sequencing of postures was designed specifically to benefit those with breast cancer. During the study, the women doing yoga showed improvement in their quality of life, and in their spiritual, emotional, and social well-being. The more classes they attended, the better they felt.

Yoga programs are increasingly being offered in hospitals and rehab centers to benefit cancer patients, as well as prisoners and women in recovery. Knowing that yoga benefits people in need motivates me to practice even more.

Source

Breast Cancer in Comics: Inspiring or Crossing the Line?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Legendary comic strip cartoonist Tim Batiuk, creator of Funky Winkerbean, made a bold move in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Lisa Moore, wife, mother, and lawyer, was a fictitious cartoon character and one of the stars of Funky Winkerbean. She died last week from breast cancer. Lisa had been battling breast cancer in the comic strip since the 1990s and recently she chose to stop chemotherapy and die in hospice care, all while the newspaper readers looked on. While many people are praising Batuik's efforts to promote Breast Cancer Awareness in such an uncommon medium, others are angry at his lack of compassion for those that are going through cancer themselves.I do like that Batuik is trying to help those that are facing their own real life battles with cancer, but I am not sure how I feel about doing it in the comics (aka the Funnies) section of the newspaper. What's your opinion? Do you think it's inspiring or do you think Batuik crossed the line?(On another note, University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland has unveiled a fund called Lisa’s Legacy Fund for Cancer Research and Education, named in honor of Batiuk’s character.)Source

Breast Cancer in Comics: Inspiring or Crossing the Line?

Inspiring

Crossing the line

Undecided

Other — tell us below

Good News: Cancer Deaths on the Decline

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have been reading a lot about breast cancer and how it affects lives. I don't think I have cried this much while surfing the web. When I saw the headline "Report Shows Cancer Deaths Declining," I felt like jumping for joy! A new report indicates that cancer deaths in the US are down. Looks like the prevention strategies of early detection and better treatments are working and the statistics show it.

Two things are still problematic, though. One being that Native Americans are not benefiting from the prevention strategies at the same rate as other Americans. The second problem is smoking. Oh how I hate smoking. It seems the number of women smoking is not decreasing, and more people are taking up the icky habit earlier. Here are a few reasons and tips on quitting smoking, just in case you need them.

To end on a good note and with a little healthful reminder: Breast cancer deaths are down (that is the "good note"), but not enough women are getting breast exams (that would be the reminder – and here is a way to get an email reminder every month from iVillage). Also be sure to get an annual clinical breast exam.

26.2 With Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Looking for motivation to run 26.2 miles? Why not run with Donna in the inaugural race of The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer?

I think running to support a cause is not only wonderful motivation, but also, with this race every cent of your entrance fee, and any other donation, go directly to the Mayo Clinic and to women living with breast cancer. Donna Hickman, the woman behind the foundation behind the marathon, is a Jasksonville news anchor, and she is also a woman living with breast cancer. You can read her journal blog and learn about her personal trials and tribulations while battling breast cancer. She created The Donna Hickman Foundation to help financially support women in The First Coast area of Florida who are also living with cancer.

Donna is not only a two-time breast cancer survivor who has recently reentered the battle again, but also an avid runner, cyclist and swimmer. It just makes sense that her organization would create a marathon as a fundraising event. If you are not ready to run the full 26.2 miles, you can run the half marathon. The race will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, on Feb. 17. Just in case you are curious, the race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Cool Healthy Gadget: Vitapur Breast Cancer Awareness Water Pitcher

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Since FitSugar is devoted to your health and this month is devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness, it is fitting to get yourself one of these Vitapur Breast Cancer Awareness Water Pitchers ($24.99, a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation). A filtered water pitcher is a great way to be able to drink filtered water from the tap. What's more? You won't be going through tons of plastic bottles that are bad for the environment. Buy it from Amazon.com.

Lace Up for a Cure: Vigor Jacket by New Balance

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Fall has arrived and with it cooler temperatures (well at least in some parts of the country). For all of your outdoor workout activities, you are going to need a long-sleeve layer, and might I suggest this Vigor Jacket by New Balance.

The jacket is part of their Lace Up For A Cure clothing line created to support breast cancer awareness. Fifteen percent of the price of the jacket, and all items in the pink ribbon collection, will be donated to the great foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

All that being said it should come as no surprise that the jacket sports the pink ribbon on the collar. Plus, it is made out of New Balance's patented Lightning Dry® fabric for effective moisture management. It also has side pockets, a feature I admire in any jacket. If black is not your thing, then the jacket is also available in Nomad (meaning brown). You can buy the Vigor jacket directly for$63.99 directly from Lace Up for A Cure.

To see the details of the jacket just

New Drug Fights Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Breast cancer is a horrible disease that claims the lives of many daughters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters. Anyone can get breast cancer, and over 12.6% of women will be diagnosed with it at some point in their lives. That's why research that finds medicines and treatments to cure this dreadful epidemic are so vital.

I didn't know this, but breast cancer isn't just one disease, but a family of diseases. That means not all tumors are the same, so they respond to different treatments. A new study has found a drug that can cut the recurrence of one type of tumor by 41%.

The drug called paclitaxel, when used with chemotherapy, can target HER2-positive (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) tumors. Of course these findings need to be subjected to further research, but this news gives us great hope. We are learning that there isn't a "one size fits all" type of treatment for breast cancer. With more research, new treatments will be discovered to defeat all types of breast cancer.

Source

Listen Up: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Podcast

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

A few years ago, I received multiple mass e-mails from friends warning me about inflammatory breast cancer. I have to tell you: I ignored them. It seemed like an urban myth to me at the time.

Well, I was wrong, and maybe you ignored information about this form of breast cancer too. Since the month of October is dedicated to increasing breast cancer awareness, I thought I should share a podcast produced by the Mayo Clinic about inflammatory breast cancer. I learned a lot about the disease and all I had to do was listen.

While the podcast is a little dry, it is only seven minutes long. I think you should spend seven minutes of your time to learn about this variation on breast cancer. It is an aggressive form of cancer and spreads quickly to the lymph system. Yep, that was my scare tactic to get you to pay attention.

Here is the Mayo Clinic podcast. You can also read the transcript too.

Source

She Battled Cancer With Cupcakes!

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I don't want you to be thinking it is not a disease you need to worry about if you are young. I hate to use scare tactics, but younger and younger women are getting diagnosed with breast cancer!

I had the pleasure of talking to one plucky lady, Carolyn Dippel, and learning the story of her battle with breast cancer. Carolyn is a fighter and her tale of breast cancer is eye-opening! She was young when diagnosed — under 30. She sported a mohawk for part of her chemo treatment as her hair was falling out. Cupcakes were a major part of her treatment plan.

To see how all the pieces of Carolyn's story fit together just

Women's Hips and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

You wouldn't think that your hips had anything to do with breast cancer, but new research shows a connection. The size and shape of a mother's hips may affect her daughter's risk of breast cancer.

There was a study conducted with 6,370 Finnish women. Those born to mothers with relatively wide hips had a rate of breast cancer that was three times higher than those born to mothers with thinner hips. The rate was nearly seven times higher if the daughter was not the first born.

What constitutes "relatively wide hips"? The widest distance between the wing-like structures at the top of the pelvis is called the intercristal diameter. A woman is more likely to develop breast cancer if her mother's hips have an intercristal diameter of more than 11.8 inches.

Why is that? To find out

Get in Gear: Pink Ribbon Water Bottle

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to tell you about this Ribbons Within a Ribbon Water Bottle. It's being sold on the Breast Cancer Site Store, and for each bottle purchased, the organization will fund 1 percent of a mammogram for a woman who otherwise couldn't afford one.

The unique design is a multitude of small pink ribbons that make up one big pink ribbon, to symbolize how individuals can join together to make a difference.

This 28 oz. water bottle has a screw-on lid that won't leak, and it has indented textured finger holds for easy gripping. The wide-mouth makes it easy to clean with a sponge, or you can also put it in the dishwasher. When you buy this water bottle ($9.95) from the Breast Cancer Site Store, you can feel good about helping women get screened for breast cancer, and you'll also be helping the environment with this reusable bottle.

5 Things to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Let's face it. There is no surefire way to prevent breast cancer. There are, however, ways you can reduce your risk. There are five things that are in your control to make this reduction in risk.

Exercise: Committing to an exercise plan as simple as walking briskly four hours a week can significantly reduce your chance of developing breast cancer. It is believed that exercise can reduce a woman's exposure to ovarian hormones that cause breast cancer. Exercise works to reduce risk even if the avid walker does not lose weight.
Maintain normal weight: Obesity is a factor in many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Studies suggest that post-menopausal women who lose 20 pounds decrease their risk as well. Even if you are "normal weight," exercising regularly (see #1) will reduce your risk even more by exercising regularly.
Limit alcohol intake: Recent studies indicate that alcohol consumption, including the much touted "healthy" red wine, increases a woman's risk of developing the disease. Women who drink one to two servings of alcohol a day increase their risk by 10 percent and women who drink three servings increase their risk by 30 percent.
Eat fiber: Eating 30 grams of fiber a day can reduce risk of pre-menopausal woman for developing the disease. Go whole grains!
Red meat: Consuming 1.5 servings of red meat daily can significantly increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. Moderation with red meat, just as with alcohol, is key.

Source

Liv Supports Emergen-C Pink

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I like Emergen-C. The fizzy drink not only tastes good, but it is good for ya! Now I can Sip-Share-Support by drinking PINK their new flavor created to help support breast cancer awareness. The flavor? Pink lemonade, of course!

PINK is formulated with 1,000 mg of vitamin C, plus B vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to help keep you healthy and on track, especially if you are a woman on the go. That is why the ever-lovely Liv Tyler put her name behind it along with her mother and grandmother. Three generations of women, calling themselves Generation Pink, decided they could help generate much-needed funds for breast cancer research, treatment and support if they tied their fund raising cause with a product they were equally passionate about. Enter Emergen-C. The Gen Pink ladies love the drink.

Fifty percent of all profits of Emergen-C PINK benefit Keep A Breast Foundation, a breast cancer organization with a slightly wild, artsy attitude.

You can pick up packets of Emergen-C PINK at Whole Foods. So you too can Sip-Share-Support.

Source

A Week in Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Check out my October Must Haves.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I'm all over it: Is there a link between alcohol and breast cancer? Don't forget to give yourself a self breast exam. Clicks for free Mammograms. How much do you know about Breast Cancer? Take the quiz and find out.

Here's a tip, set your alarm clock.

For a great fall workout, pick up a rake and rake the leaves.

Boredom buster on the treadmill - compete with yourself.

BMI is getting a bad rep, do you agree?

You've gotta try Breyers new Smart Yogurt with DHA Omega-3.

You're going to love these adorable yoga tees! And these Lululemon pants are to die for.

I'm curious, when was the first time you tried dieting? And how do you reward yourself?

Share your own goals and be inspired by everyone else's.

Before you step into your next yoga class, be sure you brush up on yoga mat etiquette.

Adult Milk, the latest in milk.

Like interval training? Then try my newest cardio workout.

Weekend Reading: Cancer Vixen

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

What happens when a shoe-crazy, wine-swilling, big-city girl finds a lump in her breast?

The answer is Cancer Vixen, the beyond entertaining graphic memoir by cartoonist Marisa Acocella Marchetto. Similar in tone with Sex and the City, Acocella Marchetto's memoir explores her shock and horror of getting breast cancer in the prime of her life. Marchetto lives and draws in NYC and her story, on a decidedly depressing topic, is so much fun to read – it will keep you up at night! Who would have thought a story of battling cancer would make you giggle?

Drawn in a colorful style, the story of an uninsured, about to be married cartoon artist with a malignant lump in her breast is a brave exploration of battling breast cancer. This "vixen" attacks cancer with urbane style and dark humor. The honest voice keeps you turning the pages and rooting for her along with her friends the gossip columnist, the shoe designer and other specific Manhattanite types.

If you want a sneak preview, you can check out an abbreviated online version of her story here.

Buy the hardback version for $14.96 from Amazon.

Join PinkTogether.com

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:45:00 -0700

There is a lot going on to bring the awareness of breast cancer to full throttle this month and so far, none have touched me as much as PinkTogether.com.

Pink Together relies on the belief that one person’s story is another person’s hope. It's a place where survivors, patients, family members and supporters can connect to each other. It’s a place where those who need support and those who have support can come together to share guidance, inspiration and maybe, one day, a cure.

Reading everyone's stories is quite a moving experience – meaning, you're going to want some tissues offhand. You can join too, along with Ellen Degeneres (her mom had breast cancer), and share your own stories or just to show your support in finding a cure for breast cancer by making Pink Together your friend on MySpace.

Facts and Figures: Breast Cancer Stats

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to test your knowledge about this deadly disease.

Sadly, we all know that it's responsible for taking the lives of many women, and knowing the numbers is another way to become aware and help fight the disease. I must admit that I generally don't find statistics to be very motivational, but these inspire me!

Take this quiz and see if you know the facts and figures.

2 Minute Breast Exam Project

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Even though mammograms are considered the best form of early breast cancer detection, they are not completely accurate. Since early detection of breast cancer is key to surviving the disease, it is important to do all that you can to stay abreast (no pun intended) of the issue. You should do monthly self breast exams (sign up here for a monthly email reminder) and you should receive a clinical breast exam at your annual appointment, be in gynecological visit or your annual physical. The problem is many women don't receive a breast exam, or if they do it is often hurried and brief.

That is where the 2 Minute Breast Exam Project comes in. Dr. William Goodson, who spearheads the project, wants women to know that they should be receiving a full two minute breast exam. That is a full minute per breast. He has even created a video of a two minute breast exam to illustrate how thorough the exam should be. Not only is it informative for self breast exams, but it teaches us to want our doctors to spend time on the exam. Plus, it is important to know that it is not disrespectful of them to do so. In fact it is good medicine.

Click For Free Mammograms

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Looking to do something to help the fight against breast cancer but don't really have the extra cash?

Well, with a simple, daily click of the pink button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help provide mammograms to those in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. It's easy and something you can do daily during the month of October (and beyond). I have set my homepage to The Breast Cancer Site and every morning, the first thing I do is click the button.

Mammogram Facts

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would test you on your knowledge of mammograms. If you are young, this diagnostic screening may seem ages away, but knowledge is power. So test your knowledge and see.

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Self Breast Exam Reminder

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Many of us do so many things for others that we often forget, neglect or don't make time to do important things for ourselves. One preventative measure that slips through the cracks is monthly self breast exams. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to tell you about an e-mail reminder for your self breast exam offered by iVillage. All you have to do to sign up is give them your e-mail address. On the 15th of every month you will receive a reminder along with health tips and a complete guide to doing self exams! I urge you to sign up today, since we can all use healthy reminders.

Source

The Alcohol and Breast Cancer Connection

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought you'd like to know that drinking any type of alcohol adds to the risk of developing breast cancer. We're talking, wine (even red), beer, and liquor. It has nothing to do with the kind of beverage you choose, it's the amount of alcohol you consume that could pose a problem.

Previous studies made a connection to alcohol and breast cancer risk, but there were conflicting views about what kinds of alcohol had this effect.

This new study analyzed 70,033 women of different races, from 1978 to 1985. By 2004, 2,829 of the participants were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers discovered that it didn't matter what kind of alcoholic drinks these women consumed, but the women that drank one to two servings of alcohol a day increased their risk of developing the disease by 10%. Women kicking back more than three drinks a day increased their risk by 30%.

I know that we've all been drilled to think that having a glass of red wine a day is healthy for our heart, but when it comes to breast cancer the same is not true. It's not clear why alcohol increases breast cancer risk, but some experts think it raises hormone levels in the blood, which could potentially cause cancer.

Fit's Tips: As with everything, moderation is the key. Enjoying an occasional drink is fine, but know that pounding a 6-pack every night may increase your risk for developing breast cancer.

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October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:00:00 -0700

More than 20 years ago, two organizations created a partnership to increase breast cancer awareness. The partnership has grown to include a number of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies all working together to build awareness of the disease, share information and provide access to screening services for countless women.

They claimed October as their month to highlight the issue, so today, Oct. 1, marks the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are so many great resources out there and here are just a few websites to help you locate any information you might need.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: More than just one month a year, the NBCAM has a website with breaking news on breast cancer, lists of patient services, and basic as well as detailed information on the disease.
American Cancer Society: The ACS is dedicated to educating women on how to reduce their risk of developing the disease and finding the best options for treating breast cancer. They believe in early detection and recommend that all women over 40 receive an annual mammogram. The ACS website is loaded with information and they have 24 hour telephone service to offer the comfort of live support and to answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources in their communities, and provide information on local events (1-800-ACS-2345).

There are two more so