Breast Cancer Awareness – Cancer In Plain English – Cancer Information

Pink Breast Cancer

RemwesMedical — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:44:33 +0000

The history of the use of pink ribbons as a symbol for breast cancer dates back to the Komen Foundation’s Race for The Cure held in Washington, DC on June 16th, 1990. At that race, the Komen Foundation handed out pink visors and some participants wore pink ribbons during the event.
A year later, in 1991, during The Race for the Cure held in New York City, New York the Komen Foundation distributed pink ribbons to every participant. From this point onward, many feel, the pink ribbon then became the symbol for breast cancer awareness.
In 1992, Alexandra Peney, who at the time was the editor in chief of a woman’s magazine known as SELF and Evelyn Lauder who was senior corporate vice president at the Estee Lauder cosmetics company came up with the idea to distribute pink ribbons in the stores in New York City which sold Estee Lauder cosmetics. The company then also offered to spread the ribbons throughout all of the country as well.
During the time of these developments, there were as well the contributions made by a Ms Charlotte Haley. Ms Haley distributed PEACH colored ribbons in an effort to raise awareness for the need to support breast cancer research. Ms Haley, however, did not immediately support the efforts of Ms Penney and Ms Lauder because she feared the commercialization of the concept (indeed, time seems to have borne out her concerns – see below).
Since the early 1990s, then, the concept of a pink ribbon as a sign for the need for breast cancer awareness and breast cancer research has continued to grow and increase in momentum. In 1996 the first breast cancer awareness stamp was issued in the United States featuring a pink ribbon.
In recent years there has been a growing sense of concern that the pink ribbons may be being exploited by third parties for personal profit rather than as a means and a vehicle to gather funds for breast cancer research. Credit where credit is due. We should not forget, in all of this, the efforts by the pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca which has been a strong supporter and advocate for breast cancer efforts for women for many years. As far back as 1985, the Astra Zeneca company is credited with having dedicated the month of October as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States – which remains so to this day.
The official web site for the pink ribbons in connection with breast cancer awareness is www.pinkribbon.com
Nowadays, very clear and easy to understand Breast Cancer information is available in audio CD form. These audio CDs make it possible for busy moms or working women to learn all of the information they need about breast cancer by simply listening to these audio CDs in their cars as they drive or on their iPODS as they commute to work. These wonderful audio CDs with detailed, easy to understand breast cancer information are available on the Internet web site entitled www.CancerInPlainEnglish.com.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

RemwesMedical — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:01:35 +0000

In its early stages, unfortunately, breast cancer is usually painless. This characteristic makes regular screening tests such as mammograms and breast self-examinations even more important. On some occasions, however, women may develop signs and/or symptoms which may give us clues or indications to look for breast cancer. We will review these as follows:
1. LUMP. The finding of a lump in one’s breast or in the underargm during a breast and underarm self-exam is an important clue that should not be overlooked. Besides breast cancer. there are other reasons why we may find a lump in one’s breast, such as a benign fibrocystic disease of the breast or the natural lumpiness of the breasts that occur in some women – especially during the menstrual cycle, however, the finding of a hard lump in one’s breast is an important finding that should be reported to our physicians. It is important to note that almost half – 50% of all masses found in the breast – are found in the upper outer aspect of the breast.
2. HARDNESS OF THE SKIN OF THE BREAST. There is a very special and important form of breast cancer known as an Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This is a very rapidly growing and aggressive form of breast cancer which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. This form of breast cancer usually presents as an induration and hardness of the skin of the breast with an increased redness as well. If a woman develops increased redness and hardness in one or both breasts, it is important to report this finding to her physician as soon as possible. There are other reasons for the finding of a redness and hardness of the skin of the breast, however an Inflammatory Breast Cancer is such an important and urgent finding that it needs to be considered and ruled out as soon as the thought that this may be the case enters our minds.
3. NIPPLE DISCHARGE. A nipple discharge, on some occasions, may be a sign of an underlying breast cancer. As noted earlier, not all breast discharges are an indication of an underlying breast cancer; however if a woman discovers a repeated nipple discharge – especially if it is a bloody nipple discharge – it is very important for her to report this to her physician.
4. CHANGE IN THE SIZE OR SHAPE OF THE BREAST. If a woman notices that there has been a change in the size and/or shape of her breast, this may be an important clue to the development of breast cancer. As we noted earlier, breast cancer in its early stages is painless. As such, the only clue we may have of the presence of a breast cancer may be the finding of a change in the appearance of the breasts themselves.
5. PAIN OR TENDERNESS OF THE BREASTS. The development of pain or tenderness in one or both breasts may indicate an underlying breast cancer.
6. RETRACTION OR INDENTATION OF THE NIPPLE OF THE BREAST. If the nipple of one or both breasts becomes indurated or retracted, this may be a sign of an underlying breast cancer.
All of the above concepts and many more are covered in very easy to understand language in the Breast Cancer audio CD available on www.CancerInPlainEnglish.com.

Breast Cancer Awareness

RemwesMedical — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:21:27 +0000

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was an event which lasted a week during the month of October of 1985. This initial event was sanctioned by a partnership of both public and private organizations including The American Academy of Family Physicians, CancerCare Inc. and the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation.
Today the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues to enjoy the strong support of private and public organizations and celebrates 25 years of educating not only women everywhere, but the public at large about the need for increased research, increased knowledge and its mission to help women everywhere to take increased control of their breast health.
The month of October is recognized as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; however, it is hoped that an awareness of the need for education and self-empowerment of women for their breast health care and overall health care, is an ongoing, year-round endeavor.
There are various activities throughout the year that seek to keep the efforts of Breast Cancer Awareness uppermost in our minds. For example, On February 21st, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer will be held. This is the only U.S. marathon that is dedicated entirely to raising funds to help in the effort to end breast cancer. The great majority of all the funds raised during this event will go towards breast cancer research at the Mayo Clinic.
The Breast Cancer audio CD available at www.CancerInPlainEnglish.com is an excellent means for women to become educated about available treatment options and considerations regarding Breast Cancer. These audio CDs are a convenient means for women to access this information and can be listened to during the commute to work or during drive time.