YBCSN Update

This week, I will be finishing up the "tip sheets" to go onto the Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Network website! The website is still in the process of being set up. Mrs. Silvia Camata and I used the information from the three focus groups to develop sheets we thought would be important to the survivors. Some of the most talked about issues included: mental fatigue, chemo brain, getting active, losing weight brought on by treatment, work and finance, breast reconstruction surgery. These issues were the most common and also the most frustrating for the survivors. The website will have these tip sheets, and also information about resources in the Birmingham area. Since this project was locally funded (by the Women Breast Health’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham), it is important that we provide information that will benefit the residences living here. One of these resources is Oasis, which is a counseling service offered to women and their children. The YBCSN is providing free counseling sessions for survivors and children. To check out all the goodness we have going on, here is our link on the UAB Center for Nursing Research page: http://www.uab.edu/nursing/research/1123-the-young-breast-cancer-survivorship-network-project-

  

LiveStrong

As I'm sure everyone has heard, this week has not been the greatest for Lance Armstrong. He has been stripped of all his Tour de France medals and his endorsement deals have been pulled. Although he has remained unwavering with his innocence, it seems that all the evidence has proved otherwise. One thing that I have to admire him for though is the foundation he started, LiveStrong. While working on my "tip sheets" for the Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Network, I have used that website several times. It provides a vast array of resources regarding diet, health, fitness, lifestyle and a community tab to connect others. It has videos, blog posts, success stories, and links for living a healthy life. It also has resources and one-on-one support for those diagnosed with cancer and survivors. Even though its founder has tarnished his own name, I felt it was important to share how great this website is. I know there are some other students working with cancer research, and I would encourage you to look at all these websites have to offer.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.livestrong.org/

And it’s official partner: http://www.livestrong.com

Breast Cancer Awareness History

It's October which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as we all know, but I thought I would give a little history as to how it came about. It may be because I'm dating a graduate history major, (which is making me become quite the nerd) but I have become increasingly interested in how things got their start, and how they came about. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month started in 1985, due to the partnership of the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of what is now AstraZeneca. Its purpose was to increase the awareness of mammograms, and how essential it is for women to get them annually. I have found increasing numbers of websites that state October has now become a platform for companies to make money and profit from how popular this has become. Whether or not this is true, it is still important for getting the word out. There will always be people out to benefit from the hardships of others, but that doesn't defeat the overall good this month provides. (I know, I got on a bit of a soap box there.) October is being recognized world wide with it seeming like the whole world goes "pink." I have posted some pictures below that I thought were neat displaying this phenomenon.

  
           Whte House                                                       Tokyo Tower

                              London

Self Breast Exams

As mentioned in my last post, I gave out information about breast self exams In The Pink at Pepper Place. I know we have all been taught this information before, but you can never hear too much about something so simple and life-saving! Self breast exams are EXTREMELY important. Over 70% of all diagnosed breast cancers are found by self breast exams. It is recommended that women start at age 20 (especially if you have a history of breast cancer in your family such as I do) and continue doing them at least once a month for the rest of your life. It's very simple, quick, and could lead to early detection which is essential in increasing survival rate. [Survival rate for breast cancer caught in the early stages is over 90%] It is important to start young and be aware of how your breasts look and feel normally, which will make it much easier to detect when there is a change. Women need to know ANYTIME they feel a change, go to your doctor as soon as possible. Many women may dismiss it or think it's nothing, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. So set  aside 10 minutes and one day a month and check your breasts. If you won't be your own health advocate, who will?

                                           

"In The Pink" Success!

In The Pink at Pepper Place Market was a huge success! This is a little snapshot of our table that we had set up. [Those beautiful Dahlias on our table were purchased at the farmer's market.]  We shared a tent and table with the UAB Palliative and Supportive Care Clinic giving out information about both of our causes. I was able to speak with 3 young breast cancer survivors, and hopefully get them involved with the YBCSN. The Pepper Place Market was very busy and everyone was out and about in pink, and people even got their dogs dressed up for the cause! There was one "celebrity" who visited our tent. [If any of you watch Grey's Anatomy, the distraught husband who ended up bringing a gun in the hospital and shooting some of the doctors a few seasons ago] He stopped by our tent wanting to find a cause to donate to, and we were more than happy to tell him why he should donate to our causes! The Pepper Place Market was so much fun to be at, and they have their farmer's market every Saturday from 7-12:00 if anyone would like to stop by. I really enjoyed working this event, being able to get the word out about our organization, and also the importance of early detection! I loved being able to meet survivor's and their families while hearing their incredible stories. This was a great event and hopefully these survivor's now have options for any needs that they may be having.

In The Pink At Pepper Place Market

It's finally October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This means it will be a very busy month for myself and everyone else involved in the Young Breast Cancer Survivors Network. Our very first event will be In The Pink at Pepper Place. On Saturday, October 6th we will be turning Pepper Place Market pink! There will be several tables set up from various organizations and YBCSN will be there. I will be bringing a breast model and demonstrating how to give self breast exams. I will be there from 9:00-12:00 at the UAB table. If you are free on Saturday, please stop by and take a look around. If the weather will cooperate, it should be a beautiful day with lots and fun and vital information. Hope to see you there!