The Breast Blog

Mother’s Day ‘Race to Empower’ Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Support

Beverly — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:13:00 GMT

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and Y-ME is once again pleased to announce their 2007 Y-ME race season! Each year volunteers participate in the Y-ME ‘Race to Empower’ which occurs on Mother’s Day. The race was developed to raise funds and support...(read more)

“I Want Surgery Now!”

Beverly — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:28:00 GMT

What teens and parents need to know about breast surgery By Eric Sparling Maybe you’re a mother who’s heartbroken about your 16-year old daughter being ridiculed for her “flat” chest. Or perhaps you’re an active young woman who’s sick of her large bust...(read more)

You Tan, You Die?

Beverly — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:35:00 GMT

Dermatologist says there’s no safe way to tan topless By Eric Sparling Sun tan season is just around the corner. With a pool in the backyard and a nice tall, wooden fence for privacy, it’s time to free the sisters and bask topless as nature intended....(read more)

Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraising Ideas - from the Pros!

Beverly — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Last week I spoke with a very inspiring group of women – The Crazie Daizies . The Daizies first came together in 2004. It was during this time that work colleagues and running partners - Pauline Tam, Kathleen Kwan and Heather MacDonald - decided that...(read more)

Hope or Hype: Is DCA a cancer cure?

Beverly — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:20:00 GMT

Experts reserve judgment Have you heard the latest news from the frontiers of experimental cancer drugs? The media have been buzzing about dichloroacetate, or DCA, a drug that has the potential to be a cheap and effective treatment – even cure? – for...(read more)

Inspiring memories from The Crazie Daizies

Beverly — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:00:00 GMT

The Crazie Daizies: Running, walking and raising funds for breast cancer

Beverly — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:28:00 GMT

The Crazie Daizies are a team of inspiring women, from all walks of life and who range in ages, from the Kitchener, Ontario region. They were officially established in 2004, when Pauline Tam, Kathleen Kwan and Heather MacDonald decided that they would...(read more)

Got Bounce!

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 20:54:00 GMT

Did you know that a set of unsupported breasts can bounce up and down at a distance of 14-centemeters during strenuous exercise? Well it’s definitely something to ponder during your next jog - especially if you’re strapping your sisters into an ordinary bar (which only reduces bounce by about 35%).

Severe bounce can cause permanent damage to your breasts and your surrounding breast tissues. And we all know how an uncomfortable bra can dig into your breasts and back when you exercise. Well a company in the UK has invented a new sports bra dubbed the “Shock Absorber”. The bra, now being sold at Victoria Secrets in the UK, claims to reduce bounce by up to 74% because it’s not only fitted to a woman’s breast cup size, it’s also fitted to her back for added support.

You can see the Shock Absorber bra in action via a fun tool called the Bounce-ometer. This virtual chart let’s the user choose they’re cup size and activity level. It then displays the 3 levels of bounce she experiences – when wearing no bra, when wearing an ordinary bra and if she wore a Shock Absorber bra. Hopefully the Shock Absorber will be available to support North American breasts soon!

To read the full article click here- http://www.shockabsorber.co.uk/bounceometer/shock.html.

Breastfeeding Linked to Respiratory Health

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:51:00 GMT

A recent study has linked breastfeeding to children’s respiratory health. The study, conducted by the University of California’s pediatric department, showed that 2 additional months of breast-feeding may in fact be related to the number of respiratory ailments a child will suffer in infancy, right up until the age of 2-years-old.

The study examined the respiratory health of a group of children – from birth up until the age of 2-years-old. It concluded that babies whose mothers ceased breast-feeding before they were 6-months-old suffered more instances of re-occurring ear infections and pneumonia; compared to those who were breast-fed right up until 6-months or older.

Dr. Caroline J. Chantry, leader of the study and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, claims simply that the longer a mother breastfeeds; the greater her child’s respiratory health will be in the future. "If you can breast-feed for 6-months,” says Chantry, “you're doing your baby a favor."

Read the full article here - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/health/21prev.html.

Breastfeeding Breaks

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:48:00 GMT

Breastfeeding advocate group, the La Leche League, plans to go to bat for working mothers with Senate Bill 167. The bill will be presented at the Capital, and would require businesses to give breastfeeding employees a sufficient amount of time and a private place to either breastfeed their babies or to pump their breast milk.

Mary Ann Kerwin, a member of the Colorado Breastfeeding Task Force, feels that Bill 167 would benefit both working mothers and businesses if mothers could continue to breastfeed after returning to work. Kerwin points out that working mothers tend to breastfeed less often and for shorter periods of time compared to stay-at-home mothers. Senate Bill 167 would require businesses to allot 2 additional unpaid, 20-minute breaks to working mothers to either breastfeed or pump. Overall, Kerwin says that the breaks would find new mothers missing less scheduled work time to breastfeed, and less time off work because they're babies would be breastfed longer and therefore remain healthier.

"We're just trying to get an accommodation just like they've made for smokers," says Mary Ann Kerwin, a member of the Colorado Breastfeeding Task Force.

Read the full story here - http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_043112959.html.

Tattoo for the Cure - Now Curing

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 14:40:00 GMT

If you recall, back on January 18^th I dedicated The Breast Blog topic to a co-worker of mine, named Tamara, who courageously dedicated her time – and skin – to the Pink Ribbon campaign. This rather unique breast cancer fundraiser was hosted by a local Cambridge, Ontario radio station - DAVE FM - who was willing to pay for Tammy to get a pink ribbon tattoo if she raised the $500 (minimum) worth of sponsor donations.

Well on Friday, February 3 the monies were in, and Tammy raised a whopping $1,480 thanks to the support of her friends and co-workers. She is now the proud owner of a pink ribbon tattoo for breast cancer on her hip. In the words of Tammy, “The campaign itself raised over $20,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation! The tattoo is done and yes, it hurt like hell, but what kept me going through it was the great cause and fantastic support from everyone!”

For more information on Tattoo for the Cure...with 107.5 DAVE FM click here - http://www.davefm.com/station/contests_details.cfm?ev=2320

Support is Key to Returning to Work

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:52:00 GMT

Research indicates that over 80-percent of employed women with breast cancer go back to work after treatment. These findings were based on a study of 416 working women who were recently diagnosed with breast cancer. After diagnoniss the women were followed up after 12-months and again after 18-months.

Dr. Reynard R. Bouknight, the chief researcher from Michigan State University in East Lansing, points to the fact that 87-pecent of employers had support systems in place to accommodate the treatment needs of ill employees. Bouknight says this proves that "working breast cancer survivors can be helped immensely by employers who are sensitive to their health care needs."

Read the full article here - http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2006-01-31T162757Z_01_COL159316_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-BREAST-CANCER-DC.XML&archived=False

PS - In next week's blog I'll be updating you on the results of my co-worker Tammy's Tattoo for the Cure Campaign. See the blog from Wednesday, January 18, 2006.

One Tree Hill Educates Fans with Music

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:36:00 GMT

Fans of the TV show One Tree Hill will be anticipating the upcoming release of a soundtrack of favorite songs featured on the series. The Friends with Benefit soundtrack is set to hit store shelves on February 7, 2006, featuring tunes from popular bands such as Audioslave, Tyler Hilton, Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, Hot Hot Heat and more.

However, the disc will do more than simply promote the WB Network series, according to One Tree Hill creator and executive producer Mark Schwahn who says, "We have an audience of young girls and women and selfishly, we'd like to keep them alive and healthy for years to come." Therefore, a portion of the proceeds from the Friends with Benefit CD will go to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Currently One Tree Hill is featuring a storyline that has a popular character’s mother battling breast cancer. The storyline and the soundtrack recognize that the vast majority of One Tree Hill fans are undoubtedly young women that may one day be touched by breast cancer. Who says educational programming can’t be fun?

Read the full article here - http://www.groovevolt.com/Newswires/newswire.asp?ID=1803.

Tattoo for the Cure

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 14:23:00 GMT

The topic of this week's Breast Blog was inspired by a woman I work with. You see Tammy has always wanted a tattoo, but has never really come across a design that's meant enough to her to have it inked permanently onto her body till the end of time. That was until Tammy heard about the Pink Ribbon campaign, being hosted by a local Cambridge, Ontario radio station - DAVE FM. You see the radio station was willing to pay for any listener to get a pink ribbon tattoo if they are able to raise the minimum $500 worth of donations.

In the words of my friend Tammy “As soon as I heard the idea I knew this was the tattoo I wanted because it's not "just for me" anymore. It's a much more important cause. I don't know too many people that haven't been affected by it [breast cancer] in some way or another.”

This Breast Blog is dedicated to the individuals like Tammy who make a big difference in the fight against breast cancer with small steps. It can be simply by hosting a car wash, a bake sale or even by getting a pink ribbon tattoo for the cause. Every little bit helps.

Thank you,

From The Breast Site

Commit to Breast Health in 2006!

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 21:05:00 GMT

Ringing in the New Year means champagne toasts, spontaneous kisses at midnight and frivolous dinning for most of us. However, January 1^st is the extreme opposite, when we awake and face honoring those dreaded New Years resolutions.

The most typical resolutions for the New Year consist of our commitment to eat healthier, lose weight and quit smoking, but for woman all of these resolutions have one vital thing in common – they’re all key ways to reduce the chances of breast cancer and other forms of cancer.

In celebration of the New Year, the American Cancer Society has released their annual list of resolutions ‘Tips on how to be Healthier in 2006!’

And what do you imagine tops their list:

1) Quitting smoking

2) Committing to a more active lifestyle

3) Maintaining a health weight

4) Limiting alcoholic consumption

5) Eating a healthy diet

6) Scheduling regular cancer screenings

Read the full article here - http://westchester.com/Westchester_News/Westchester_Health_News/American_Cancer_Society_Tips_On_How_To_Be_Healthier_In_2006_200512316079.html.