Friday, October 26, 2012
"Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors" shares the wisdom of breast cancer survivors with the newly diagnosed. What's your story?
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the greatest challenges for those who have been newly diagnosed is finding sources of support. Patients are eager for information on everything from enduring surgery and chemotherapy to how to deal with hair loss. While there are many local resources and support groups available in the Lehigh Valley, women can also find comfort in a sisterhood of survivors who have already been in their shoes. Best selling author and breast cancer survivor Barbara Delinsky has gathered the wisdom of hundreds of breast cancer survivors who are eager to inspire those who are new to the “breast cancer sisterhood.” She shares all of the stories and tidbits she found in her book "Uplift: Secrets from …
Thursday, October 25, 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 a one in 800 chance of getting 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. Breast …
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Pa. Department of Health offers a free breast cancer early detection program called HealthyWoman
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Monday, October 22, 2012
A free breast and cervical cancer early detection program called the HealthyWoman Program is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Free services for those meeting the eligibility standards include: To view a chart of Eligibility at a Glance click here or call 1-800-215-7494 to find out if you are eligible. If breast or cervical cancer is detected through the HWP, patients will be able to receive free treatment through the Department of Public Welfare’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Preventionand Treatment Program. Why is the HealthyWoman Program Important?
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Breast cancer kills 12,000 women in Pennsylvania each year but a new study holds hope for patients and the doctors who treat them
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Sunday, October 21, 2012
Researchers have unveiled what they believe is a hallmark study for breast cancer patients and the doctors who treat them, according to the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition. Their findings, recently published in the journal Nature and the New York Times, are expected to pave the way for new treatment options in the coming years. The project, funded by a large federal grant, focused on a genetic analysis of breast cancer, which kills more than 12,000 women in Pennsylvania each year. The scientists monitored the tumors of 825 breast cancer patients in the US. As a result, they found four distinctive types of breast cancer. Within those types, researchers say they identified at least 40 genetic alterations that might be attacked by drugs. Many of…
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Pennsylvania taxpayers can donate all or part of their tax refund to cancer research in the Keystone State through a program called Refunds for Research
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Saturday, October 20, 2012
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) has an annual program that allows Pennsylvania taxpayers to help support cancer research in the Keystone State. The program is called Refunds for Research. By checking YES on line 35 of the PA 40 tax form, any taxpayer can donate all or part of their state income tax refund to breast and cervical cancer research. Every penny contributed goes directly to PA breast and cervical cancer researchers as they work for a cure. By donating, the taxpayer will join the thousands of Pennsylvania tax filers who have contributed over $2.8 million for Pennsylvania-based cancer research. Recent recipients include doctors at the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University and Penn State. “Pennsylvania …
Friday, October 19, 2012
Pennsylvania's breast cancer survivors are encouraged to share their stories as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Friday, October 19, 2012
Each month, the Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition turns the spotlight on a breast cancer survivor living in Pennsylvania and tells her unique story. Throughout October - in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month - the group encourages all breast cancer survivors to share their experience with those around them. The coalition says, "Let the sharing of your story be a release for you; motivate others to get the mammogram they’ve been putting off; reassure someone in the midst of their breast cancer journey. Add your story and your voice to the collective understanding of what life is like for women with breast cancer." If you’d like to share your story with the PBCC, please email Amy at Amy@PABreastCancer.org. If you are able to tell of your …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Cancer surgeons and plastic surgeons are working together to help breast cancer patients avoid mastectomies in the Lehigh Valley
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Lehigh Valley Health Network is offering an advancement in breast cancer surgery that is an artful blend of plastic surgery and cancer removal. The procedure - called oncoplasty - allowed Yrene Bodenstein of Lower Macungie Township to avoid a mastectomy when she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 40. With oncoplasty, the surgical oncologist (cancer specialist) and plastic surgeon work together as they consider the extent of cancer surgery needed, the patient’s breast size and shape, and potential reconstruction techniques so the breasts will match. The advancement reduces down time and emotional turmoil for patients while boosting their confidence, according to LVHN. More information is available in this LVHN article.
The Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition offers a free online course about breast cancer prevention
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
More than 800 people have taken the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition's free online course on Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program, which provides free treatment for uninsured and underinsured women battling breast cancer. The course is available for all who wish to take it, with free continuing education credits available for nurses and social workers. Real case studies give practical examples of who is eligible for free treatment, how the program works, and the overall benefit to the women who are covered through the program. Those who take the course will have the knowledge necessary to direct women to the program so that they can get the care they need without worrying about how to pay for it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Regular exams help prevent thousands of cases of breast cancer each year
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
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 some of the places where you can go for mammograms and breast exams in our area: Lehigh Valley Health Network Breast Services (various locations) St. Luke's Regional Breast Center - 5848 Old Bethlehem Pike, Second Floor, Center Valley, PA Planned Parenthood - Easton Medical Center, 2906 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA City of Bethlehem Health Bureau - 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA Going for an exam can be nerve-wracking. To better understand the importance of exams, here's helpful information that explains the process, when you …
Monday, September 24, 2012
Nominations for the Pink Power Mom program are open through Oct. 31, 2012 for inspiring moms who have survived breast cancer
- OPINION
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Monday, September 24, 2012
The Pink Power Mom program is now accepting nominations for its 2012 contest to select eight deserving moms in local communities throughout the U.S. The program honors mothers who are breast cancer survivors and powerful role models in their community. The Pink Power Mom program is part of the Kids II Foundation. Pink Power Moms are inspirations to their families, friends and others battling breast cancer because of their resilient spirit and perseverance in the face of adversity. Every year, Kids II celebrates eight mothers who have battled breast cancer and dedicated themselves to helping others in the fight. Friends and families are invited to nominate a mother who has been an inspiration throughout her battle with cancer. This year …
Jay Bell
8:48 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
This is something well worth all of us making a contribution to. Hopefully, we can unite on principled charities such as this, and find success in reaching a national goal. www.firebrandcentral.com more ›