Pink-Link
October 2010
Pink Power
In This Issue
A Better Marker
CURE Magazine Article
Komen for the Cure Article
Science Daily Article
Free E-Book
Monthly Contest
Chemo Brain & the Law
A Better Marker for Breast Surgery

A new material could help surgeons more accurately locate breast cancers, reduce the need for second surgeries and minimize pre-surgical discomfort for patients. Microscopic gas-filled spheres of silica, a porous glass, can mark the location of early-stage tumors to show their position using ultrasound imaging in the operating room.


Read the article

One Diagnosis, Different Journeys
by Kathy LaTour from CURE Magazine

Two women share their journey of the same diagnosis, but different treatment decisions. No longer seen as the guarantee of a long, healthy life, an early-stage diagnosis has become only one piece of a picture that now includes a decade's worth of advances in diagnostic tools and molecular biology. These advances allow oncologists to assess each woman's individual risk that her cancer could recur-knowledge that determines whether additional treatment with chemotherapy might reduce the risk.

Read the article

Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
by Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Metastatic breast cancer (also called advanced or stage IV breast cancer) is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. In the U.S., only a few women have metastatic disease when they are first diagnosed. More commonly, metastatic breast cancer arises months or years after a woman has completed treatment for stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Although metastatic breast cancer is not currently considered curable, it is treatable. Today, some women live many years with metastatic breast cancer as a long-term chronic condition. And, as treatment for both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer continues to improve, so does survival.

Read the rest of the article

Watercress and Cancer
as reported in Science Daily
New scientific research from the University of Southampton has revealed that a plant compound in watercress may have the ability to suppress breast cancer cell development by 'turning off' a signal in the body and thereby starving the growing tumour of essential blood and oxygen.

Read the article
Greetings!

Well, it's finally here, Breast Cancer Awareness Month! There's a lot of pink everywhere and a lot of hype. To me, the month is really about awareness. There are still so many women who don't know about breast cancer, what to look for or what to feel for, so I love the fact that we're surrounded by "pink" as a reminder to be aware of any and all signs of breast cancer.

Many retail stores and manufacturers are asking for donations for "breast cancer" or "to find a cure." Here's my one important tip: make sure you know exactly which organiztion will benefit from the donations. If you walk into a store and they say, "if you buy this product, we donate a certain percentage to breast cancer," they should also be able to tell you where they're sending the money. If they can't tell you, don't donate. Period.

So, with that said, I've put together a list of events, seminars and activities you can be a part of, that donate to various charities to either fund research, provide programs or simply educate survivors all in the name of breast cancer. If you know of an event that's not listed (I'm sure there's many of them), please let me know by replying to this email. I'll post it right away.

BreastCancer.org has just launched it's brand new iPhone App and it's pretty cool. I downloaded it the other day, input my breast cancer profile and poof...I had 33 news articles to look at! It also includes a dictionary of medical terms so you can understand you doctor!

There are a number of great organizations that work towards finding a cure and I believe in all of them. But, I want to tell you about the pledge that the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has made. They've decided to put a deadline on finding a cure for breast cancer. The deadline is January 1, 2020 which is a little over 9 years away. I've met Fran Visco, the president of the NBCC and she is a dynamic lady and a survivor herself. I believe in what the NBCC is trying to do and firmly believe that it can get done.My pledge for the next 9 years is to help current survivors with Pink-Link and my breast cancer advocacy work and to do what I can to prevent other women from getting that dreaded diagnosis. I hope you'll join me in that effort.

If you like our website, enjoy our monthly newsletter and pretty much LOVE Pink-Link, please consider making a donation or buying a Pink-Link logo product from our store at CafePress.

Have a great month and I hope you're feeling well and empowered!

Sincerely,

Victoria Tashman
Pink-Link
310-995-5204
Free E-Book!
The editors at the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine are excited to make available this FREE e-book for anyone affected by breast cancer. "How We Became Breast Cancer Thrivers, 44 Stories from Breast Cancer Thriving Friends Now Living with Conviction, Clarity, Passion and Purpose.

This free book was created out of their need to give back after their lives were strengthened by others reaching out to them when they needed help for their next step forward. It is now their turn to reach out in hopes of making a difference for others.


Read Vicki Tashman's story on page 191!


October Monthly Contest
This month we have 2 great books that have been donated to Pink-Link! Dr. Lise Alschuler and Karolyn Gazella, authors of "The Definitive Guide to Cancer, an Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment and Healing," have donated 5 books for our contest this month. I attended a seminar given by Dr. Alschuler and Ms. Gazella in June at UCLA and took some notes about this topic. Check out my blog for these notes and information about an upcoming seminar. To buy the book, click here. To be eligible to win a copy of this book, please reply to this email and answer the question, "What kinds of healing or alternative therapies have you done to help you through your treatment?" Please include your mailing address. Your name will be put in a bowl and the winners will be drawn at the beginning of November.

We've also received 2 copies of a book called, "From Zero to Mastectomy," written by Jackie Fox. This book grew from a series of essays Fox wrote for the Omaha World-Herald about her experience. It details her journey from attempts at breast-conserving surgery, to her aha! moment while trying to choose between mastectomy and radiation, to nuts and bolts of recovery and reconstruction. To buy the book, click here. To enter the contest, please reply to this email and describe your "aha" moment in your breast cancer journey. Please include your mailing address. Your name will be put in a bowl and the winners will be drawn at the beginning of November.

Good luck!

Chemo Brain and
Legal Rights
In researching and co-authoring "Your Brain After Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus," Idelle Davidson interviewed countless survivors who reported often debilitating cognitive issues following treatment for cancer.  She wanted to know if there were any legal protections available to them in the workplace, or at home if they could no longer work. For the answers, check out Ms. Davidson's blog.

Your Brain After Chemo