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Breast Cancer Blog

By Pam Stephan, About.com Guide to Breast Cancer

Opting Out of Breast Cancer Treatment

Friday May 9, 2008
You might think that if you were diagnosed with breast cancer, then the first course of action would be to determine your treatment options and get started right away. But for some patients, the treatment of choice may be no treatment at all. Learn about decision-making and alternative therapies.

Pink Ribbon Supports Breast Cancer Research

Thursday May 8, 2008
pink ribbon
Pink Ribbon
Photo © Chad Baker / Getty Images
For Mother's Day or any day, the Orawave "Pink Ribbon" 2-Minute TwinSpin Power Toothbrush helps clean teeth as well as donating funds to breast cancer research. For each $6.99 toothbrush purchased, Orawave will donate 10% of the sales price to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help fund breast cancer research, education, treatment and screening. These electric toothbrushes come in pink and white, and have the pink ribbon symbol on the handle. As a bonus, you can receive a pink ribbon pin if you participate in the mail-in offer.

Fitness Boosts Breast Cancer Recovery and Survival

Wednesday May 7, 2008
Exercise
Power Walking
Photo © National Cancer Institute
As women make the journey through breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and post treatment, exercise can provide energy, a sense of self-worth and relief from treatment side effects. There is even evidence that exercise has a positive impact on recovery and survival. Learn about the benefits of exercise, how to get started and when to hold back.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer - Bikinis Raise Awareness

Tuesday April 29, 2008
Bandeaux Bikini
Marks & Spencer Bikini
Photo © Breakthrough Breast Cancer UK
Bikini's for breast cancer awareness? Well, Ralph Lauren started it in 1994, with the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer worldwide campaign. This year, Anna Friel, star of the TV drama Pushing Daisies, will help advertise the campaign. Fashions purchased from Marks & Spencer (such as the Bandeaux Bikini) will help raise funds - every designated item will create a 10% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer UK. Want to learn more? There's also gifts for Mother's Day!

Cell Enhanced Breast Reconstruction for Lumpectomy Repair

Sunday April 27, 2008
Cytori Celution System
Cytori Celution System
Illustration © Pam Stephan
When you've had a lumpectomy, you lose the tumor but wind up with a breast that is no longer smooth and curvy. It may have a dimple or divot in the surface, marking the former location of the tumor, a thing you might like to forget. Now Cytori Therapeutics is working on a solution - this is still investigational - which is really appealing. Using the Celution™ System, you can actually have unwanted fat (think tummy, thighs, hips) liposuctioned off, and then transplanted into your lumpectomy area. This liposuctioned fat contains your own stem cells and regenerative cells. When these are injected into your breast, you won't have an instant lumpectomy repair, but when these cells settle in (about a month) they will fill out that dip or dimple. In a Japanese study, patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with the results, and even after 18 months, no ill effects were found.

Recycle Your Wigs for Earth Day

Tuesday April 22, 2008
Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Samantha was my favorite wig during chemo. She always looked perfect, was easy to shampoo and style, and once she almost fooled a cosmetic expert! But a year after my chemo was complete, I felt I could part with "Sam", so I recycled her! Here's what you can do with your wigs and hairpieces after you complete treatment for breast cancer:

Knitted Boob - Do-It-Yourself Breast Prosthesis

Tuesday April 15, 2008
Knitted Boob
Knitted Boob
By Marte
After a mastectomy or lumpectomy for the treatment of breast cancer, you can achieve a symmetrical appearance again by using a breast prosthesis. These come in silicone, form rubber, fiberfill or cotton. But if you can knit, you can create a breast prosthesis yourself - or knit one for a friend that is recovering from a mastectomy. Learn about breast prostheses options.

Nipple and Areola Reconstruction - Finishing Touches

Thursday April 10, 2008
Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can be done by several different procedures, but does not immediately result in a fully featured breast that is identical to your remaining breast or your lost breast. A new breast mound is smooth and blank, because it has no nipple or areola. Some women skip getting a reconstructed nipple, and get a sexy tattoo instead. But many women feel more complete with a new nipple. What's your thoughts on this? Take the poll!

Dame Maggie Smith Not Stopped by Breast Cancer

Tuesday April 1, 2008
Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Dame Maggie Smith goes on with the show while fighting breast cancer. Diagnosed at age 73, she has undergone surgery, chemo, and radiation treatments while still working at her craft. Fans of Harry Potter schoolmistress Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince will admire her fortitude for having radiation therapy during filming. One of her friends remarked, "The last thing she wants to do is to make a fuss about it." Having worked on stage and screen for 50 years, Dame Maggie has been recognized with Oscars and Bafta Awards, and describes herself as "spiky." Perhaps this explains her determination to keep working during breast cancer treatments. She said, "It's true I don't tolerate fools, but then they don't tolerate me, so I am spiky. Maybe that's why I'm quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies."

Breast MRI Helps Detect Second Cancer in Newly Diagnosed Patients

Monday March 31, 2008
Getting a diagnosis of breast cancer is bad enough, but what if you had cancer in both breasts, and it wasn't found until after you completed treatments? A new study on women showed that 10% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients do have contralateral (opposite side) breast cancer, which doesn't always show up during clinical breast exams and mammograms. Having a breast MRI at the time of diagnosis will accurately show whether or not your other breast has abnormalities, and can help distinguish between benign and malignant lumps. The study also found that breast MRI worked well despite breast density, menopausal status, or type of breast cancer. Constance Lehman published results of the study in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2007. Dr. William Gradishar reviewed the study for Projects In Knowledge.
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