October is breast cancer awareness month and
here is one story:
We NEVER thought it would happen to one of
us, at least not so soon. Actually, correct
that - breast cancer was something we didn't
even think about. After all, we just
graduated college in 2006 and we had been
celebrating our quarter-century birthdays
with concerns about jobs, graduate degrees,
med school, money, typical mid-twenties
issues. Then, about a few months ago, that
all changed.
In college I had a group of eight very close
female friends, we did everything together.
After graduation there were e-mail chain
updates, phone calls and random chances to
see each other, it was great to keep in touch
and hear what was new.
"I'm writing you all just to brief you on a
little operation I'm having this Friday," was
the first line of a June 2009 e-mail from my
friend Alicia, telling us she was having a
lump in her breast removed. "No big deal" was
what she told us, and since she is the med
student, we all believed her.
Unfortunately, it was a big deal: stage III
invasive ductal carcinoma. You can read her
story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/aliciahuff.
Since this diagnosis we have all be awakened.
Awakened to the power of cancer, the power of
love, the power of early detection and the
power of one woman in particular, our friend
Alicia. She is an absolutely amazing person
and is fighting this cancer with unwavering
strength. Her message now, especially as a
soon-to-be doctor, is clear: feel your
breasts no matter what age you are!
I am writing you today to share her story,
ask for positive thoughts for her fight and
also to remind you how important it is to be
aware of your body and changes to it. Check
out the Tips section written by Alicia
herself and take note because breast cancer
at age 25 is possible and it happened to one
of us.
Sincerely,
Kelly Murphy
YWTF Board Member
The EARLY ACT |
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From
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Breast cancer is a disease that knows no
boundaries. It strikes women from all
backgrounds, races, and ethnicities, the rich
and the poor, the old and the young.
Yes, you did read that last part correctly.
Despite the perception, young women can and
do get breast cancer and the result can be
devastating.
In 2008, the American Cancer Society
estimated that there would be 182,460 new
cases of breast cancer in women. Of these
cases, more than 10,000 - 11,000 of these
women would be under 40 years of age.
Although the incidence of breast cancer in
young women is much lower than that of older
women, young women's breast cancers are
generally more aggressive, are diagnosed at a
later stage, and result in lower survival
rates. In fact, breast cancer is the leading
cause of cancer deaths in young women under
the age of 40.
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Take Action! Urge your senators to support the EARLY Act |
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From
Susan
G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance
When breast cancer occurs in women under age
45, it is often detected at later stages, is
more likely to be aggressive, and less likely
to be responsive to hormone therapies. There
is a lack of awareness about the risks of
breast cancer for young women and the unique
challenges facing young women with breast
cancer. This important bill would change that.
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Replacing Things Lost |
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From
The
Morning News
was still reeling from my breast cancer
diagnosis when I began preparing for my
mastectomy and reconstruction. I was 45, and
only three months earlier I had received a
clean bill of health on my annual mammogram,
but there was no mistaking the pebble I found
under the skin of my left breast. When an
ultrasound showed a second tumor in a
different part of the breast, I became a
clear candidate for mastectomy and
eventually, with the discovery of cancer in
different locations on the right side, a
double mastectomy.
reports on a troubling question of size.
� Tweet this articleSo it was off to the
plastic surgeon's office-not a place I had
ever envisioned myself, to be honest. My
husband accompanied me for moral support, and
we idled in the waiting room and then the
exam room; he was reading Breast Cancer
Husband while I flipped through a magazine.
The doctor walked in, introduced himself and
sat down on a stool with wheels that allowed
him to scoot around the office at lightning
speeds to snatch papers and files as needed.
A chatty and energetic sort, he explained
early on that no one has to undergo
reconstruction, which I appreciated, but that
if I wanted to, he would help me determine my
options. I told him I was certain I wanted to
reconstruct.
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Breast cancer detection for young women |
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From
Bakersfield Now
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- This year, it's
estimated that over 10,000 women in the U.S
under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with
breast cancer.
Early detection is key to surviving breast
cancer. However, most detection methods are
for older women and not good options for
women under 40.
Fortunately, there are some new tools to help
young women battle this disease. Those are
tools Trisha Velasquez wishes she would have
had access in October 2006 when she went to
her doctor at 31 years old knowing
"something" was wrong.
An ultrasound and mammogram were done on
Velasquez and showed three masses, but her
doctor said it wasn't cancer. "You're fine,"
Velasquez recalls her doctor telling her. She
also says he told her, "Breast cancer doesn't
hurt, you're 31, and you have no family history."
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Tweens challenged by grown-up malady: Breast cancer |
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From CNN
(CNN) -- Hannah Powell-Auslam of La Mirada,
California, had surgery this month to check
her lymph nodes, just in case the breast
cancer had spread.
Taylor Thompson of Little Rock, Arkansas,
also had an aggressive form of breast cancer,
one that has a 98 percent chance of
returning. It required surgery in June.
They're two young women fighting breast
cancer. Or rather, two girls: Hannah is 11.
Taylor is 13.
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Ten Breast Health Tips for Young Women |
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By (soon to be) Dr. Alicia Huff
1. Monthly self-breast exams!
2. Quit smoking or never start.
3. Increase your fiber intake to 30g per day.
4. Obesity increases risk for breast cancer,
so choose a low-fat diet.
5. Exercise daily--at least 30 min/day.
6. Annual mammograms for women over 40 years
old.
7. If breast cancer runs in your family, get
checked sooner.
8. If you find a lump always have it checked
by a physician.
9. Menopausal women use caution when using
hormone replacement therapy.
10. You're never too young or too old for
breast cancer.
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Brought to you by the Younger Women at YWTF
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