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Aromasin Makes Post-Treatment Trouble For Breast Cancer Survivors

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:02:04 +0000

Aromasin Pills
Photo © Karl Stephan

Aromasin (exemestane) is an important drug for estrogen-positive breast cancer patients.But, like many cancer drugs, it comes loaded with trade-offs. It helps many patients prevent a recurrence of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer by blocking your body's estrogen production. But taking Aromasin produces menopausal symptoms: the classic hot flashes, fatigue, joint pain, and even bone thinning. A recent study was published in The Lancet by a group of oncology scientists in Canada and America, looking at the effects of Aromasin on bone health. They concluded that, "Exemestane worsens age-related decreases in bone mineral density by about three times, even in the setting of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake."

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Komen Funds For Planned Parenthood Still In The Pink

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:58:18 +0000

Pink Ribbon Money
Art © Pam Stephan

After a 3-day, hot pink, social media blitzkrieg, Komen for the Cure went back to Plan A. Instead of de-funding Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), they are continuing to provide the money that is earmarked for breast health services for 2012. Nancy Brinker, CEO of the Komen Foundation issued this statement: "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities."

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Komen Withdraws Support From Planned Parenthood

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:10:13 +0000

Pink Ribbon Balancing Act
Art © Pam Stephan

Donors Replace SGK Funds in 24 Hours

Komen for the Cure, a well-established breast cancer charity, has stopped funding clinical breast exams and mammograms at Planned Parenthood affiliates and clinics. Komen's spokeswoman Leslie Aun told the media that their foundation has recently adopted a rule that prohibits the giving of grants to organizations that are under government investigation. Planned Parenthood is currently under a congressional investigation by the House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, led by Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida. In 2011, Komen granted $680,000 to Planned Parenthood for breast health exams.

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Breast Cancer Survivors Use Mindfulness To Lower Stress

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:54:07 +0000

Meditation in Pink
Photo © Microsoft

At my breast cancer support group, the leader always used a meditation or guided visualization to help us relax into the moment and become more present at the group. All of us had early stage breast cancer, and had been diagnosed within the last year, so you can imagine how high our stress levels were! Most of us were holding down jobs and caring for families when we were diagnosed - cancer was an unwelcome item on our list of worries and fears.

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Young Women With Breast Cancer Are Heavily Impacted By Weighty Issues

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:01:30 +0000

"Will I survive breast cancer?" is the question that every patient asks. But when the patient is a college student, a young mother, or a rookie career woman, she faces choices and issues that menopausal women may not have to deal with.

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Statins May Join Fight Against Breast Cancer

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:25:20 +0000

For breast cancer patients with a p53 genetic mutation may someday start taking statins -- drugs that lower cholesterol -- to help fight their disease. While BRCA gene mutations usually ...

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Barbie Considers A No-Hair Day To Help Cancer Survivors

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:19:41 +0000

Bald Barbie
Art © Pam Stephan

Barbie has been around since 1959 but she has yet to develop any sags, bags, or wrinkles. Indeed, no matter what time or what day it is, Barbie always looks flawless, confident, and ready to handle anything. Now a group on FaceBook is asking Barbie to think of going bald - in order to help out girls who have suffered from hair loss due to cancer treatments. The group also sees the bald beauty as a coping aid for children whose mothers have lost their own hair to chemotherapy.

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Parabens and Breast Cancer Controversy Continues

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:55 +0000

Since around 2004, when Dr. Philippa Darbre published research on finding parabens in human breast tumors, scientists and cosmetics producers have wondered how those substances ...

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With Red Wine and Breast Cancer - Play It Safe

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:30:39 +0000

Before you stock up on Cabernet Sauvignon - red wine that was used in a study about breast cancer risk - sit down and think it over. The study, published in the Journal of Women's Health, was based on a group of just 36 women. These gals were healthy premenopausal women, not pregnant or breastfeeding, not alcoholics, not taking any hormone therapies of any kind, had never had estrogen-fueled cancers, and none had any chronic health conditions. These women also had a healthy body mass index (BMI) which tells us that they were not overweight. All had healthy, regular menstrual cycles, and healthy livers. This is a small study, done with a very select group of subjects, all of them living in fitness-conscious California. I'm saying these women were not your average American moms on a fast-food diet with a beer chaser, a stockpile of ice cream, some excess weight on their frames and a prescription for birth-control pills.

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Kill Boredom and Cancer During Chemo

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:57:36 +0000

During my treatments, I was in four different chemo clinics. They all had big, well-padded recliners, little tray tables, televisions, magazines, and ladies circulating around the room giving each of us individual attention. So far, that sounds like a beauty salon or an exclusive lounge, right? Only my hair never looked better after a visit to the chemo lounge, and yes, it was very exclusive!

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