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Breast Cancer Awareness

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Breast Cancer and Gratitude

Liz McAllister, a personal trainer, was surprised when she was diagnosed with cancer, but found that it gave her a deeper sense of gratitude. Her story is part of our series for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

When Elizabeth (Liz) McAllister looks back over the last year, she feels a real sense of gratitude despite having gone through two surgeries for breast cancer. "I had always been healthy and active and was diligent about breast self-exams," said McAllister of Fox Lake. "Then I was shocked when I discovered a lump earlier this year. It was cancerous." She said she went to Northwestern University in Chicago in March, where she had several lymph nodes removed to see if the cancer had spread throughout her system. "Those tests were negative," McAllister said. "That was great news." Still, she had to undergo had two surgeries for the cancer. She had her initial surgery at Northwestern in Chicago and then did her radiation at the Northwestern …

Show Us Your Pink Pride on the North Shore

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by uploading photos of your and/or your family and friends supporting the cause.

Showing off your pink pride during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a favorite thing to do with survivors and supporters alike. Thousands of hats, shirts, and other pink breast cancer items are sold in October. Millions of tiny pink ribbons are worn to support the cure for breast cancer and hope for many women. Also, countless numbers of people show support of Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in fundraising events. Have you strapped on your pink running shoes for the Komen Race for the Cure? If a walk is more your speed, how about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure? Have you joined a local support group? Have you joined efforts with other supporters to hold a fundraiser or night out?  Around the North Shore several …

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Breast Cancer: Stuff They Never Tell You

Survivors are part of a sisterhood, whether they choose to be or not. And sharing stories – funny, sad, ironic – is what sisters do best.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Hearing the words, "I'm sorry, but it's cancer," comes as a shock to anyone, and I never thought I would hear them that day. I was in my mid-40s, a marathon runner, healthy eater, non-smoker with no family history. The only real risk factor I had was giving birth to my first child after age 30. I cried (hysterically), I went for a long run the next morning, I got a second opinion, I told only a handful of people and I went about my busy life trying not to think about it. I made a list of other women I knew who had fought – or were fighting – this awful disease. In a few moments, I came up with more than 15 names of women in my community, most of whom were right around my age. Clearly, I was not …

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Outer Beauty Tips Lead to Inner Strength for Women with Breast Cancer

Resources for women fighting breast cancer that your doctor doesn't offer.

By the nature of its side effects, cancer treatment can make a private battle a very public affair. For a woman with cancer, having a bald head, pale skin or a missing breast can make her feel like she's being targeted by a bright spotlight and a banner that says 'Cancer patient'. But now more than ever, there are resources for women that will put the spotlight back on their work, their accomplishments and their life—and change that banner to simply read 'Woman'. Second Act Cancer Boutique on Chicago's north side offers wigs and post-surgery bras and prostheses. Owner Pattie Cagney Sheehan is a certified mastectomy fitter and works with women from the time they are diagnosed to well into survivorship. Second Act offers breast forms and …

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Breast Cancer in Young Women: Resources on the North Shore

Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.

Generally speaking, an American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to komen.org. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. Breast tissue is often denser in younger women, making cancer harder to detect initially. This is why many younger women are diagnosed at later stages …

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Where to Get a Breast Examination on the North Shore

Early detection is the key. While more than two million women live with breast cancer, if detected early, women diagnosed have a survival rate of 98 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of a cure. That in itself is the most important reason to make an appointment today for a breast exam or mammogram. Here is a list of local places where you can go for mammograms and breast exams around the North Shore. The Lake and Cook County Health Departments participate in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program through the Illinois Department of Health. The health departments provide breast exams, screenings and in some cases treatment for breast cancer. For more information contact 708-786-4000 for Cook County or the Women's Health line at 888-522-1282. Lake County residents can visit this website.  The NorthShore University Health System offers …

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

SHARE: Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors on the North Shore

"Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors" shares the wisdom of breast cancer survivors with the newly diagnosed. What's your story?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the greatest challenges for those who have been newly diagnosed is finding sources of support. Patients are eager for information on everything from enduring surgery and chemotherapy to how to deal with hair loss. While there are many resources and support groups available on the North Shore, women can also find comfort in a sisterhood of survivors who have already been in their shoes. Best selling author and breast cancer survivor Barbara Delinsky has gathered the wisdom of hundreds of breast cancer survivors who are eager to inspire those who are new to the “breast cancer sisterhood.” She shares all of the stories and tidbits she found in her book "Uplift: Secrets from the …

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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Breast Cancer Support Groups in the North Shore

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here, a list of some local breast cancer support groups.

One in 8 American women and 1 in 1,000 American men are battling breast cancer today. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year. Breast cancer is difficult to face alone—for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups. Pink for Tomorrow is a support group created by two local women who fought breast cancer together. Beverly Raudabaugh of Lake Forest and Sue Barkhausen of Lake Bluff now run the support group, and operate a website for online support. Sue can be contacted at 847-234-5925 or Bev at 847-814-7423 to find out more about when the next meeting is, and to gain access online. The Cancer …

Monday, October 8, 2012

Shop Pink on the North Shore to Benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means a variety of pink products will be hitting the shelves. But, do your pink purchases always go towards the cause?

A wave of pink is flooding stores everywhere, as retailers participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the savvy shopper, it's an opportunity to donate to a good cause while snagging unique, pink-hued items. Across the North Shore several stores are offering pink items for sale. But before you plunk down your green for some pink, the nonprofits behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month want you to check the label. Jenna Glazer, director of development for Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a global organization dedicated to helping young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, said that buyers should be on the lookout for a label or tag that tells where the money from the purchase goes. "If you walk into Bed Bath & Beyond and see …

Friday, October 5, 2012

Healthy Living Can Prevent Breast Cancer: North Shore Resources

Research shows good nutrition and exercise can help prevent breast cancer. Here are some resources around the area to help you stay healthy.

You might be able to find help fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers at your local grocery store and fitness centers, according to the research findings of Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD.  Dr. Neuhouser is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in nutritional sciences. She is an investigator at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Some factors may prevent breast and prostate cancer and improve survivorship in those diagnosed with cancer.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die …

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