Brast cancer survivors talk about baldness (02/22/2010)
... I called a friend, who came over with her husband's clippers and shaved my head. To my surprise, it felt pretty great. I wore my wig for months and took loving care of it, just as I had fussed over my dolls' hair when I was a girl and played "beauty parlor." Whether I looked beautiful, as promised by the Wig Lady, is debatable; what I can say with her unequivocal confidence is that I never had a bad hair day. But I definitely did not like windy days....

Breast cancer surgery and chemo and bald people (02/22/2010)
... "Then I realized it was you and that I do pray for you!" ally My absolute worst has happened twice now. I had my 3 small children in a restroom while traveling home for Christmas. I was so anemic and neutropenic and just felt like crap. Not one hair to be found anywhere on my whole body. This rude woman, as I was walking out of the restroom after fighting my kids to not touch anything, says, "Sir, this is a ladies' room....

Breast cancer survivors are comfortable with a wig (02/22/2010)
... and yes, okay, I was vain! I had a boyfriend when I was diagnosed, but the relationship didn't make it, and I was in great turmoil over my appearance during that time. Eventually, I actually had a problem parting with my wig, because my hair was long and blond and so was the wig. The wig actually looked better than my real hair! When it grew back in short, black, and curly, I couldn't bring myself to take off the wig because then I realized everyone who hadn't known would suddenly be on to me. What a pickle! I even had 2 longtime friends gang up on me in a restaurant and drive me to tears because they told me I needed to deal with who I really was and stop hiding. (Needless to say, my social worker told me to rethink those friendships....

Do you still feel womanly after breast cancer mastectomy (02/22/2010)
... Women are more than voluptuous breasts. Being womanly comes from within I don't feel def ined by my breasts, or lack of having breasts. Feeling womanly is a state of mind most of the time, but I do recall feeling more compromised in my opinion in this area in the few years following my diagnosis,* so I guess our concepts evolve over time. Time can be a great healer. "After breast cancer, we are more womanly than ever and we must each listen to our own inner woman and honor her and the wisdom she's found in the suffering from breast cancer....

What is you need to undergo mastectomy under forty (02/22/2010)
... So I chose the tram (my surgeon said it would provide the most "natural looking" outcome). I am one of that small percentage of people who had many complications severe necrosis that required three more surgeries with skin grafts. Just last week, I got an implant. My new breast does not look like the other one nor is it as good as the original. I do not have the option of nipple reconstruction because of the grafts....

How can mastectomy breast cancer change the way you look (02/22/2010)
... To look at me, no one would ever guess that I am Stage IV and it has been 6 years now. Making a difference in others' lives has made a huge difference in mine. breast cancer is something I can live with and even though I would not wish it on anyone, in my case I think it has made me a stronger, more self-confident person. Marybe Isn't it interesting how a person's perspective changes. When I was in junior high, I would not even go to the mailbox without washing my hair....

Woman who die from breast cancer (02/22/2010)
... Survivor? Who says I may survive this? And what about those wonderful women who do not survive? They fought just as much as me and they went through so much more. If I do not beat my breast cancer, am I no longer a survivor? To this day, these questions still remain with me. I now have Stage IV and I have known of 6 women to pass away this year alone. They deserve a much more appropriate word for their fight, their endurance through it all, their bravery. I have many words in my mind that suit them, but they are not wrapped around a pink ribbon all of the time like a survivor is....

Good Bye sexy me hello the new me after breast cancer (02/22/2010)
... People say that you shouldn't allow society to dictate what sexy is, but everyone knows that it does so more than any of us want to admit. But my happiness is not dependent on being sexy. Even though "sexy" was fun while it lasted! Feeling less sexy has not changed the fact that I am a huggy-touchy-kissy person. I've always been this way and this never changed. Although part of my self-image has changed due to having both breasts removed, I don't feel it has changed for the worse....

How to diagnose a cancer in early stages (02/18/2010)
... As indicated in John's case, pathologists play a critical role in diagnosing and interpreting cancer. Because the pathologist's impression is in part subjective and may be imprecise, it is sometimes necessary to obtain a second pathologic opinion on a biopsy sample to make certain of the diagnosis. One of the most common ways for cancer to be detected today is during a screening test, such as a mammogram or examination of the inside of the colon by colonoscopy. Prostate cancer is screened for with palpation of the prostate gland (called a digital rectal exam) and measurement of the PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood; PSA is a protein shed by prostate cancer cells into the bloodstream. Routine screening for some cancers has been proven to save lives and is one reason that cancer death rates are declining....

Why does cancer occur more often in the colon (01/25/2010)
... Bile from the gallbladder and liver helps to break down fat in particular. In the colon The main job of the colon is to reabsorb water and salts as the food waste travels through it. This helps form solid stools, which can then exit the body after a couple of days, via the rectum (easily and without discomfort). Nerves, hormones and electrical activity in the colon control these “movements.” Muscles in the colon help propel the food waste slowly toward the rectum....

Ask Your Dietitian About Preventing Colon Cancer (01/25/2010)
... Is it still possible that a high-fiber diet may help reduce the risk of colon cancer? Despite the two studies in April and May 2000 from the New England Journal of Medicine that blasted the benefits of fiber, I think it is. Some researchers say the studies do suggest that fiber won’t protect against colon cancer. Between two groups of men and women, 35 years and older, studies found that there wasn’t a difference in the amount of new polyps found four years after the individuals had pre-cancerous polyps removed from their colons. One group ate a low-fat diet with 5 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, (averaging 35 grams of fiber a day) and the other group ate more red meat, fewer beans, and less fish (averaging 20 grams of fiber a day). These results tell us that fiber doesn’t seem to inhibit the formation of polyps....

Are nitrosamines something I should be worried about (01/25/2010)
... (Keep a water spray bottle handy.) Avoid placing meat directly over coals. Resist eating charred meat or remove charred parts before eating. Are nitrosamines something I should be worried about? Nitrosamines are known to have carcinogenic activity. They are formed during the breakdown of nitrites and nitrates, which are the chemicals actually added by manufacturers to cure and preserve the meat....

Do the high protein low carbohydrate fad diets help you lose weight (01/25/2010)
... Many people will lose weight on these plans because they are mostly low-calorie plans. By limiting carbohydrates, they are forcing the followers to limit portion size. The weight loss has more to do with the decrease in total calories and forced portion sizing rather the fact that the diet is high in protein. How healthy and permanent the weight loss is on this plan remains to be proven. I have met several people who lost weight on one of these highprotein plans....

Should I be worried about pesticide residues and cancer risk (01/25/2010)
... The flavor really mellows when you cook it this way. There are other members in the garlic family that you might like (for example, shallots and onions). I know I should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but should I be worried about pesticide residues and cancer risk? Some experts say that less than 1 percent of all cancers are attributed to pesticides and other manufactured chemicals in air, water, soil, and food. Compare this figure with the estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cancers linked to lifestyle factors you can control and it doesn’t seem like much of a concern. Don’t get me wrong; it is still a must to wash all produce thoroughly in water, scrubbing the skin, removing outer leaves when possible....

There are no miracle foods for cancer prevention (01/25/2010)
... After all, we are talking about simple steps, like eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and eating less red meat, total fat, saturated fat, sugar, and alcohol. It’s not a sure thing by any means. Nothing is when it comes to preventing cancer. But it’s a chance most of us will choose to take, especially because following these 10 food steps to freedom will also help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other cancers. Step 1: Eat 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day The benefit of fiber to colon cancer risk reduction is up for debate for the moment....