Race For The Cure

Understanding Breast Cancer – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

October 1, 2017 By Paula 14 Comments

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Observed each year in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has arrived.

It is a time to create a greater awareness of breast cancer along with nearly endless opportunities to show your support. Since I began blogging in 2013 I have posted about many of the charities and causes that I support. This is my fourth year posting about the topic of breast cancer and with it touching the lives of so many people it’s not going to be the last. About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. As of March 2017, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

The Amercian Cancer Society (ACS) has published Cancer Facts & Figures annually since 1951. This annual report provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths for the year, as well as current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics and information on cancer symptoms, risk factors, early detection, and treatment. In 2017, there will be an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed and 600,920 cancer deaths in the US. Of those, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,410 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2017. About 40,610 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2017 from breast cancer!

Think Pink, Live Green is a way of living that aims to help women reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

Just because you don’t have a family history of breast cancer does not mean that you will not develop it. About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

We all want to know what we can do to lower our risk of breast cancer. While some of the factors such as being a woman, our age, and genetics cannot be changed. Other factors such as being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes, and eating unhealthy food are things that we can change. By making the right choices and choosing the healthiest lifestyle options possible, we have the power to make sure our breast cancer risk is as low as possible.

Breast cancer risk factors that we have no control over:

Being a Woman
Age
Family History
Genetics
Personal History of Breast Cancer
Certain Breast Changes (read more)
Race/Ethnicity
Having Dense Breasts
DES (Diethylstilbestrol) Exposure

We may or may not have the ability to change these breast cancer risk factors.

Menstrual, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding History (read more)
Radiation to Chest or Face Before Age 30
Using HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Light Exposure at Night (read more)

These breast cancer risk factors we control over and have the ability to reduce by making healthy choices and changes in our lives.

Being Overweight
Drinking Alcohol
Lack of Exercise
Smoking
Low of Vitamin D Levels
Eating Unhealthy Food
Exposure to Chemicals in Food (read more), Cosmetics, Plastic, Sunscreen, and Water
Exposure to Chemicals for Lawns and Gardens
Exposure to Chemicals When Food Is Grilled/Prepared

What is Breast Cancer?

The simple answer is breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. However, to better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor. When this happens, cancer occurs as a result of the mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are considered cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body. The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast.

How is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

Finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer that’s found early, when it’s small and has not spread, is easier to treat successfully. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early. After all, the goal of screening tests for breast cancer is to find it before it causes symptoms (like a lump that can be felt). Breast cancers found during screening exams are more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast. As you know the size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are some of the most important factors in predicting the prognosis for a woman with this disease.

Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. A mammogram can find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop. Decades of research clearly show that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early, are less likely to need aggressive treatment like surgery to remove the breast (mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured. Women who are at high risk for breast cancer based on certain factors should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.

Research has not shown a clear benefit of physical breast exams done by either a health professional or by yourself for breast cancer screening when you also get regular mammograms. However, all women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a healthcare provider right away. Breastcancer.org believes that breast self-exams (BSE) are a useful and essential screening strategy, especially when used in combination with regular physical exams by a doctor and mammography. About 20% of the time, breast cancers are found by physical examination rather than by mammography. Learn the Five Steps of a Breast Self-Exam.

Free Breast Cancer Screenings

Believing that everyone should have access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings, Roper St. Francis along with Bon Secours Mission Grant and the Hank and Laurel Greer Colorectal Cancer Program, offer free breast and colon cancer screenings to the uninsured or underinsured. I’ve registered and will be going Tuesday, October 24, 2017, to the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center on the Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital campus for my screenings. Learn about this life-saving and FREE community resource.

Understanding a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ve probably heard a lot of different terms used to describe your cancer. You may also need more tests to get more details, such as the stage of the cancer or how fast it’s growing. Cancer.org has an excellent article to help you begin the understanding of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Stay hydrated during your fight against breast cancer!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast cancer patients and survivors can receive a free water bottle with tips to stay hydrated during treatment. Fill out the form here to receive your water bottle.*

*This offer is for breast cancer patients and survivors only, while supplies last.

Thank you, for taking the time to read my 2017 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month PSA. Below, you will find some wonderful posts from previous years.

To learn the do and don’ts of purchasing breast cancer merchandise as well as how to best support research to find a cure be sure to read my 2016 post, Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Plus Facts You Need to Know.

In 2015, I posted October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Read How It’s Touched My Life. Please take a moment to read this very personal post.

Just two years after completing Chemo my sister signed up for the 2014 Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure.

FREE Cancer Screening for Charleston Area Residents

October 1, 2017 By Paula 2 Comments

BREAST & COLON CANCER AWARENESS

Working on posting about the topic of breast cancer I recently inquired about breast cancer materials at a recent doctor’s visit. In addition, to a wealth of materials that I received from the doctor he informed me that there were services that were available for our community that, like me, many had never heard about. He pointed out the contact information of the Clinical Nurse Navigator for Roper Sait Francis Healthcare that was among the materials he had just handed me. I reached out to see what more I could learn. I was surprised to discover that not only do they offer breast cancer screenings but also screenings for colon cancer. Two free screenings offered in our area, where the need is great and yet this valuable service is underutilized by our community.

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. In 2017, there will be an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed and 600,920 cancer deaths in the US. Of those, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 63,410 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2017. About 40,610 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2017 from breast cancer!

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. It is the third most common cause of cancer-related death, and in 2017, 95,520 new diagnoses are expected to occur in the United States (U.S.). A healthy lifestyle with a high-fiber, low-fat diet can help prevent colon cancer, and screening can detect it in the early stages. Also, advances in diagnosis, screening, and treatment have led to steady improvements in survival.

Believing that everyone should have access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings, Roper St. Francis, along with Bon Secours Mission Grant and the Hank and Laurel Greer Colorectal Cancer Program, offer free breast and colon cancer screening to the uninsured or underinsured. Registration is required for the screenings. To register, call (843) 402-CARE. The next event is Tuesday, October 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Roper St. Francis Cancer Center on the Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital campus (2085 Henry Tecklenburg Drive, Charleston 29414). I made the phone call and talked with a very helpful and kind woman. It only took a few minutes to register for both screenings and she answered all the questions I had. I’ve signed up and hope to see you there!

WHO QUALIFIES FOR FREE BREAST AND COLON CANCER SCREENING

To participate in the breast cancer screening, you must be:

Age 18 or older and not have had a breast exam in the last 12 months. Financial assistance will be available for mammograms for those who qualify as well as onsite scheduling.

To participate in the colon cancer screening, you must be:

Age 50 and older, or if you are African American, age 45 and older.
Or your age must be 10 years prior to the age of a first-degree relative having colorectal cancer. For
example, if your mother had colorectal cancer at age 45 you would need a screening at age 35.

Not lucky enough to live in the South Carolina Lowcountry? Check with your local doctors, cancer centers, hospital, or clinic to find out if this service is available in your area.

This post was created as a supplement to Understanding Breast Cancer. Be sure to visit this post to learn more about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

October 1, 2017 By Paula 6 Comments

The Known Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, there are things you can do that might lower your cancer risk. Knowing the risk factors for breast cancer is the first step in taking control of your health. Many of the cancer risk factors are under your control and are also the same changes that we need to make to enjoy living a healthier life. It’s a Win-Win!

Breast cancer risk factors that you cannot change:

Being a Woman – Just being a woman is the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Age – About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older.
Family History – For women with one first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, the risk is doubled.
Genetics – About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.
Personal History of Breast Cancer – If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re 3 to 4 times more likely to develop a new cancer in the other breast or a different part of the same breast.
Race/Ethnicity – White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American, Hispanic, and Asian women. But African American women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age.
Certain Breast Changes – If you’ve been diagnosed with certain benign (not cancer) breast conditions, you may have a higher risk of breast cancer. There are several types of benign breast conditions that affect breast cancer risk. (read more)
Having Dense Breasts – Research has shown that dense breasts can be 6 times more likely to develop cancer and can make it harder for mammograms to detect breast cancer.
Menstrual History – Women who started menstruating (having periods) younger than age 12 have a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. The same is true for women who go through menopause when they’re older than 55.

The breast cancer risk factors that you have some or total control over:

Pregnancy History – Women who haven’t had a full-term pregnancy or have their first child after age 30 have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who gave birth before age 30.
Breastfeeding History – Breastfeeding can lower breast cancer risk, especially if a woman breastfeeds for longer than 1 year.
Radiation to Chest or Face Before Age 30 – If you had radiation to the chest to treat another cancer (not breast cancer), such as Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, you have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer. If you had radiation to the face at an adolescent to treat acne (something that’s no longer done), you are at higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Using HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) – Current or recent past users of HRT have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 2002 when research linked HRT and risk, the number of women taking HRT has dropped dramatically.
DES (Diethylstilbestrol) Exposure – Some pregnant women were given DES from the 1940s through the 1960s to prevent miscarriage. Women who took DES themselves have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Women who were exposed to DES while their mothers were pregnant with them also may have slightly higher risk of breast cancer later in life.
Drinking Alcohol – Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverages — beer, wine, and liquor — increases a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Being Overweight – Overweight and obese women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. Being overweight also can increase the risk of the breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in women who have had the disease.
Lack of Exercise – Research shows a link between exercising regularly at a moderate or intense level for 4 to 7 hours per week and a lower risk of breast cancer.
Smoking – Smoking causes a number of diseases and is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women. Research also has shown that there may be a link between very heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
Low of Vitamin D Levels – Research suggests that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D may play a role in controlling normal breast cell growth and may be able to stop breast cancer cells from growing.
Light Exposure at Night – The results of several studies suggest that women who work at night — factory workers, doctors, nurses, and police officers, for example — have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who work during the day. Other research suggests that women who live in areas with high levels of external light at night (street lights, for example) have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Eating Unhealthy Food – Diet is thought to be at least partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers. No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer. But some foods can make your body the healthiest it can be, boost your immune system, and help keep your risk of breast cancer as low as possible.
Exposure to Chemicals in Cosmetics – Research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in cosmetics may contribute to the development of cancer in people. (read more)
Exposure to Chemicals in Food – There’s a real concern that pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones used on crops and livestock may cause health problems in people, including an increase in breast cancer risk. There are also concerns about mercury in seafood and industrial chemicals in food and food packaging. (See the 2017 EWG List of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15 is below)
Exposure to Chemicals for Lawns and Gardens – Research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in lawn and garden products may cause cancer in people. But because the products are diverse combinations of chemicals, it’s difficult to show a definite cause and effect for any specific chemical.
Exposure to Chemicals in Plastic – Research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in plastic products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may cause cancer in people.
Exposure to Chemicals in Sunscreen – While chemicals can protect us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in some sunscreen products may cause cancer in people.
Exposure to Chemicals in Water – Research has shown that the water you drink — whether it’s from your home faucet or bottled water from a store — may not always be as safe as it could be. Everyone has a role in protecting the water supply. There are steps you can take to ensure your water is as safe as it can be.
Exposure to Chemicals When Food Is Grilled/Prepared – Research has shown that women who ate a lot of grilled, barbecued, and smoked meats and very few fruits and vegetables had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who didn’t eat a lot of grilled meats.

Exposure to Chemicals in Food

“The Dirty Dozen” are the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables according to the EWG analysis (see full list), so you may want to consider buying these organic if you can: strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, grapes, celery, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and potatoes

“The Clean 15” are fruits and vegetables that are likely to have little contamination, so you may want to buy non-organic types of these foods if cost is an issue: sweet corn, avocados, pineapple, cabbage, onions, sweet peas (frozen), papayas, asparagus, mango, eggplant, honeydew, kiwi, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and grapefruit*

*Like pomegranate, grapefruit may interfere with some medications and treatments. Talk to your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume grapefruit.

* A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce.

This post was created as a supplement to Understanding Breast Cancer. Be sure to visit this post to learn more about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Read How It’s Touched My Life

October 1, 2015 By Paula Leave a Comment

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. NBCAM is dedicated to educating and empowering women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular self-breast exams to identify any changes, scheduling regular visits and annual mammograms with their healthcare provider, adhering to prescribed treatment and knowing the facts about recurrence.

How Breast Cancer Has Touched My Life

We all have someone that we look to for strength, inspiration, and confidence. For me, it is my Mother and Sister. They are two of the strongest women that I know and through their bravery and determination have inspired and influenced me to make me who I am today.

I know how lucky I am to have them in my life for you see they both are breast cancer survivors. First, my Mother was diagnosed and treated. Then a few years later my little sister was diagnosed and had to endure the chemotherapy and surgeries that followed. Amazingly, just two years after her graduation from Chemo, my sister did the 2014 Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure here in Charleston. Still today she has not completed all the surgeries and still faces each day with such a positive attitude and optimism that you can’t help but be inspired and happy.

I would not wish the fear and uncertainty that goes with this horrible disease on even the worst person on earth. That’s why we need to find a way for everyone to know what to look for and the importance of doing it. If my Mom and Sister had not been diagnosed early, I would not have them in my life today. Don’t wait, get educated and help promote awareness today!

How Has Breast Cancer Touched Your Life?

JOIN THE CHALLENGE AND MAKE A CHANGE

Today, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. More than 200 000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in 2015. Thousands of women will die of breast cancer but groundbreaking research for the cure needs to be funded.

Pink Limited Edition Charms were created to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.

One Way to Show You Support and Get a Great Deal is These Pink Limited Edition Charms From Glamulet That Are On Sale Now. Plus, 50% of the sales will be donated to charities for breast cancer.

Just two years after completing Chemo my sister signed up for the 2014 Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – 2014 Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure – Please Help

October 13, 2014 By Paula Leave a Comment

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Komen Race for the Cure 2014

This year, my sister registered for the Komen Race for the Cure. Can you believe just two years after graduating from chemotherapy?! Because I am thankful to have her, she is a breast cancer survivor, I would like to help as she works to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer.

I am asking everyone to please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of her fundraising efforts. She has set her goal at only $100. I would love to blow her away by reaching $1,000! You can see her progress toward her goal HERE.

Here she is at her 2012 Graduation from Chemotherapy!

Your support helps us get one step closer to a world without breast cancer. 75 percent of the money raised through the Race stays in the community to fund local breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs. The remaining 25 percent supports groundbreaking breast cancer research.

Donate for Connie!