Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Free breast cancer screening in Lagos

The exercise aims to encourage regular clinical breast exams, self checks and promote knowledge and awareness of the disease

As part of its activities to create awareness during the month of October, which is breast cancer awareness month worldwide, Stand up to Cancer Naija (SU2CN), a non-profit advocacy group, will conduct free clinical breast exams for women of all ages in Lagos.
SU2CN is a movement reaching out to a world affected either directly or indirectly by breast cancer. The organisation preaches early detection and awareness as means of fighting the disease.
SU2CN is made up of young professionals in Nigeria. The executives include: Constant Asabia, a senior special adviser to the Ondo State Governor; Synthia Japhet, the secretary to the country director of FAO at the UN; and Caleb Egweonu, a cancer advocate and the brain behind the initiative, whose aunt died from Breast Cancer.
Previous SU2CN events were the bowling for boobs, an event which took place in Abuja. The event was supported by Nollywood professionals such as Ini Edo, and Uche Jombo, and Uti Nwachukwu of the Big Brother Africa fame, who joined hands to raise funds for breast cancer patients.
Statistics from the free breast cancer screening held in Abuja earlier in August, 2011, showed that about 20 percent of females in attendance had breast lumps.
The screening in Lagos is set to take place on October 29, 2011 at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos from 11am to 6pm.
SU2CN ambassadors such as singer/song writer EVAEZI; Nma Isiwu (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Tourism 2011), Stella Damasus, Oge Okoye, Nikki Laoye, Weird MC, Ufuoma Ejenobor and others will be participating in the event.
Members of the public are also urged to donate to combat breast cancer and provide regular screening centres around the country. Emails can be sent to standup2cancernaija@gmail.com for further enquiries.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Breast Cancer survivor walks to raise money for research

 
Bonnie Heater Assistant editor
“Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 69 seconds,” said Marilyn Norris, a breast cancer survivor. The Casualty Assistance Team leader at Fort Gordon was the guest speaker at the Garden City Chapter of Federally Employed Women’s monthly program held Oct. 11 in the Signal Towers Fish Bowl Conference Room.
The Army veteran and mother of two was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago.
“I went in for my regular mammogram as I did every year when I was a Soldier,” explained Norris. “I was told the results were abnormal and I was sent to University Hospital in Augusta for a follow up appointment and biopsy.”

“I felt normal,” recalls Norris. “I didn’t have any pain or other symptoms at the time.”
The former Youth Challenge Academy platoon leader underwent surgery and radiation treatments. Today, she considers herself an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness. Her personal story appears with other breast cancer survivors in Marcie Curry’s book, “Be a Strong Blessing.”
The court appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children in Georgia, participates annually in the Susan G. Komen three-day 60 miles Breast Cancer Walk which is held throughout the United States.
“I committed myself to walk in Atlanta, Ga., and to raise a minimum of $2,300 to help fight breast cancer,” said Norris. I started my own team this year – ‘Strong Blessing.’ We walk because we must; we are strong because the journey demands it. Together in body and united in spirit, we lay down our footsteps for this.”
Norris, who is also the first vice president/secretary of Cher Best Sister’s Only Club, a local civic organization, has participated in the Relay for Life, Miracle Mile.
This event sponsored the local Survivor’s Night of Fashion where cancer survivors modeled in the program to raise funds for breast cancer research and cancer care.
“It’s important to me to raise money to help fund research for breast cancer because I am a survivor and I know the fight and everyone deserves a lifetime,” said Norris. “Together we can work to put an end to breast cancer.”
For more information or to make a donation to the Breast Cancer 3-day, contact Marilyn Norris at (706) 466-2233 or visit the website: http://www.the3day.org/.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Breast cancer awareness: ANGELS to the rescue

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Keith Urban Donates Custom Guitar for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By: Billy Dukes  of "Taste of Country Blog"
Keith Urban will donate a customized Fender guitar to the Susan G. Komen for The Cure for auction in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The black guitar with pink ribbon adorning the body will be available to bidders at the end of the month, after Urban has played it at each of this month’s shows.
According to a press release on his website, Urban specially requested the guitar from Fender as a way to acknowledge October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The ‘Long Hot Summer’ singer is just one of the country stars actively supporting this month’s cause. Last Friday, Jason Aldean raised $315,000 during a sold out show in Roanoke, Va. Martina McBride will flip a switch to turn the Empire State Building in New York City pink on Oct. 14, and will play Grand Ole Opry pink on Oct. 22 during a concert to honor breast cancer survivors.

Hustle for Hope raises breast cancer awareness

by Lowell Vickers
Oct 09, 2011


The annual Hustle for Hope charity 5K walk brought more than 250 runners and walkers to the streets of Cedartown to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness programs.

Jordan Hubbard, 23, of Cedartown, was the first-place finisher among all male participants, winning the 5K with a time of 19 minutes, 50 seconds. He also was overall winner.

Liz Clark, 23, of Rockmart, was the first-place female runner with a time of 23 minutes, 5 seconds.

The event drew participants of all ages, who paid $25 (early registration) or $30 (late registrants) to take part.

Last year's event raised more than $10,000 after all T-shirt sales, race entry fees and related fund-raising efforts were tallied.

One of the organizers, Heather Ball, said last year's inauguaral event had 188 participants for the 5K. There were 245 runners confirmed Friday and several more late registrants Saturday before the race, so the event was well on track to surpass last year's fund-raising total, Ball said.

At 8:30 a.m., a ribbon was cut to open the race north up Main Street. Runners turned left in front of the courthouse to College Street, then headed north to Lakeside Drive through slower, quieter residential streets.

Runners came back out on North Main Street at the location of the former Enmark gas station (now closed. Runners then continued south back to the downtown area.

Cedartown Police blocked off streets as necessary and helped direct traffic during the race. Cedartown High School students in the Future Business Leaders of America club helped direct runners by standing at street corners with directional signs.

Most streets reopened to traffic after the race, but part of the downtown area remained blocked off until around 11 a.m.



Read more: The Fish Wrap - Hustle for Hope raises breast cancer awareness

Programs, science aid early detection of breast cancer

Written by
Anna Sudar
Advocate ReporterNEWARK -- The American Cancer Society estimates about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer sometime during their lifetime.
But this startling fact is accompanied by another, more hopeful statistic: There are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
The breast cancer mortality rate has been declining in recent years, said Dr. Joseph Fondriest, chairman of the department of radiology at Licking County Memorial Hospital. One of the main reasons for the change has been increased awareness of the disease.
Awareness leads more women to do self-examinations and get annual mammograms, which help doctors catch the disease in the beginning stages.
"Successful treatment depends on early detection," Fondriest said.
Fondriest spoke Tuesday at a meeting of the Newark Rotary Club about some of the newest technologies in detecting and treating the disease, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"(At LMHS), we stay at the forefront with the technology for diagnosing breast cancer," he said.
One major change has been the shift from film mammography to digital mammography, Fondriest said.
Digital mammograms have a much higher resolution and show much clearer images of breast tissue, he said. Studies show digital mammograms have a higher cancer detection rate.
"(LMHS) has been completely digital for four years," Fondriest said.
Digital mammograms also allow physicians to do computer-aided detection, which uses computer software to read mammograms and highlight problem areas.
"European studies looking at computer-aided detection equate it to having a second radiologist review each mammogram," Fondriest said.
If an abnormality is found in the breast tissue, doctors must determine if it is cancerous.
"The majority of things found are not breast cancer; about 60 to 90 percent of lesions are benign," he said. "It's important to be able to biopsy lesions in minimally invasive way."
In the past, biopsies required surgery, but now physicians can use a three-stage needle to get a tissue sample or remove the lesion, Fondriest said.
"There is no scar, a minimal risk of infection, it takes virtually minutes to perform and the patient can resume regular activities," he said.
If the lesion is determined to be cancer, it is important for doctors to see if the cancer has spread beyond the breast.
By performing a sentinel node biopsy, doctors can test one of the primary lymph nodes and determine if the disease has spread without having to test each lymph node, he said.
"Although we can't prevent cancer, we're making advances to help detect and diagnose breast cancer earlier and also minimize patient discomfort," he said.
Fondriest said he tells women to have their first mammogram at 35 and start having them annually at age 40.
This is also recommended by the American Cancer Society and the Mayo Clinic, he added.
"It has been discussed it can be delayed until after they hit 50, but that goes against what a lot of medical professionals say," he said.
He encouraged men and women to spread the word that early detection saves lives.
"Everyone has to be aware that breast cancer is out there and to see their physicians and openly discuss the risk," he said.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Fiji joins world to launch breast cancer awareness month

It is Pinktober again and Fiji like the rest of the world will be raising awareness of breast cancer too, Fiji Cancer Society Chairperson and breast cancer awareness month President Nirmala Nambiar has said.
"Join the fight against breast cancer through early detection and awareness." This is the message the Fiji Cancer Society is sending out this October, which is breast cancer awareness month, worldwide.
Fiji Cancer Society Chairperson and breast cancer awareness month President Nirmala Nambiar said, "Fiji continues to have a high incidence of breast cancer deaths with large number of tumors presented to health professionals at a late stage due to the stigma of having the disease."
In the first quarter of 2011, there were 46 new breast cancer cases recorded, whilst there were 33 new cases in the same period last year.
"The figures could be scary but one must understand that as the awareness increases in our communities the number of cases recorded increases," she warned.
Men and women should be aware that age, obesity and family history are all factors that contribute to the risk of developing the disease.
This October the Fiji Cancer Society has planned a number of events all targeted to raise awareness since the lack of information and education is dangerous.
Nambiar said through partnership with the Ministry of Health, Oxfam Clinic in Suva and the Fiji Nurses Association, supported by the sponsorship of Colgate Palmolive, the focus this year is on reaching out to the rural community and making a difference to the lives of the poor and unprivileged.
"We have free checkups planned for the month at the major villages from Vunidawa, Korovou and Valelevu to Lami at the other end and hope that we will be able to support the women in this area who may not be able to have a check- up otherwise.
According to the official, the society's western branch continues to arrange free check- ups with the support of the Patan Clinic.
The awareness and free checkups have also been arranged for corporate organizations at their request and if we are not able to provide all this during October we will continue to schedule them for the following month.
The Society's thanks go to Suva Private Hospital for offering half price mammograms for the month of October, Nambiar said, adding a common issue with Fiji women, according to doctors at the hospital, was the return rate.
"Once they hear the news that they have cancer, many women don' t return because of the fear of what's next. Hence the Society is working with the hospitals and helping counsel patients to get them back for treatment rather than fight the losing battle, since 70 percent of cancer cases can be saved through early detection and treatment," she said.
The Fiji Cancer Society strongly believes that the success of the awareness program this month will set the platform for the society's ongoing initiative to drive and raise the community's understanding, get them involved and make them take care of each other.
Editor: Deng Shasha

Style On The Runway to Help Spread Breast Cancer Awareness Through Fashion

Raising funds to help those in our area who are battling or have battled breast cancer.

It is fashionable to contribute to a cause that will help others. That is what will happen at the first annual benefit hair and fashion show called Style on the Runway.
The event, will take place on Sunday (Oct. 2) from 1 to 5 p.m. at Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St., Annapolis.
The mission of the event is to raise funds to benefit those in the Greater Annapolis area who are battling or have battled breast cancer.
Style on the Runway will include models who are breast cancer survivors showcasing unique fashions by local Annapolis boutiques.
David Alexander Salon and Spa of Annapolis will provide hair styling and make-up.
In addition to the fashion show, there will also be a live auction, door prizes, vendors, music and entertainment and more.
About the Hosts
Stepping Out for Breast Cancer is dedicated to improving the quality of life for breast cancer survivors through the provision of equipment or services that aid in the mental and physical recovery from cancer.
It is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization founded in 1993 by a group of Annapolis women to raise funds to support breast cancer survivors in the community served by the Anne Arundel Medical and Baltimore Washington Medical Centers.
Stepping Out for Breast Cancer works to improve the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer regardless of age, social or economic status.
David Alexander Salon and Spa has served Greater Annapolis for more than 15 years. It has grown to become one of the largest area salons with nearly 20 stylists and a relaxing 3,000 square-foot day spa.
David Alexander Salon and Spa has a long tradition of supporting local charities and organizations. In the past 5 years, it has hosted a Day of Beauty with the Bay Area Community Church for battered women as well as donated services for hundreds of local charitable fund raising events.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.styleontherunway.com

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Events planned for breast cancer awareness month

By SALEHA RIAZ
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s a list of events in South Florida commemorating the month.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department in conjunction with Ambulatory Diagnostic Center will offer free screening mammograms, 8 a.m.-12p.m., Oct 1, 747 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 100, Miami
The Miami-Dade County Health Department will host a kick-off event for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 10-11 a.m., Oct 3, 10, 8600 NW 17th St., Suite 200, Miami.
Think Pink Teen Craft Program with artist Susan Buzzi, 4-5.30 p.m., Oct 4, Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
The Strut your Stuff for Cancer event will have wellness presentations, live entertainment and a cocktail hour, 6-9 p.m., Oct 6, The Falls, 8888 SW 136th St., Miami.
VIPink Miami, cocktails and music, 7-10 p.m., Oct 6, South Beach House 4385, Collins Ave, 8th Fl, Miami Beach.
A motorcycle ride will start from Palm Beach to the Wylder’s Waterfront Grille in Jupiter, followed by an after-party, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Oct. 8, 2955 45th St., West Palm Beach. Proceeds will got to Think Pink Rocks (breast cancer research).
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk/Put on Your Pink Bra, a noncompetitive walk by the American Cancer Society, 7.30 a.m., Oct 9, Huizenga Plaza, Andrews Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale.
Healthy Living Discussion to discuss breast cancer prevention, treatment and scientific breakthroughs, 2 p.m., Oct. 11, Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave.
Cups, a comedy that traces milestones in a woman’s life through the bras she has worn, 8 p.m. weeknights, Sat.; 2 p.m Oct. 12-27, Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St.
Glam Doll Strut, stiletto walkathon will raise money for local breast cancer patients and their families, noon-3 p.m., Oct. 15 at Himmarshee Historic District, Second Street in Fort Lauderdale.
The 16th annual Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale Race for the Cure, including a 5K walk and run, one-mile fun walk and tot run, 6 am, Oct 15, Bayfront Park, downtown Miami.
Stay in the Pink Breast Cancer Event, in conjunction with Pink Power Network. Includes meet-greet with surgeons and radiologists, pink hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, pink manis and pedis. Mammograms available for $99, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 20, University Hospital & Medical Center, 7201 N. University Dr., Tamarac.
Shopping soiree/silent auction, including mini-makeovers, manicures, mocktails and perfume samplings, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct 22, Westfield Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd.
Florida Breast Cancer Foundation’s 6th annual Shades of Pink Masquerade Ball, 7 p.m. -11 p.m., Oct 25, Trump International Beach Resort, Sunny Isles Beach.
Wear Pink to Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami all month long. New partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure inaugural event. Pink Day events in October include 15 percent off annual pass for visitors who wear pink.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/30/2432966/list-of-local-events-for-breast.html#ixzz1ZXXxT7Xt