Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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 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? Across the area several events have…
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
When it comes to mammograms, some medical centers are turning this uncomfortable medical test into an excuse to throw a party.
It's no secret why women dread mammograms: the paper gown, the technician grabbing your "girls" to fit them onto the cold, metal X-ray plate, and then of course, there is the squishing of the breasts while you hold your breath. It may be a life-saving screening process, but not the most fun you can have in an hour. But lately, some health professionals have come up with some ways to make the process less heinous. It all starts with some wine and cheese... You can get your mammogram at several locations around the area including: See Where to Get a Breast Examination in the Area on Patch. Breast cancer survivor and Patch editor Ronni Newton of Connecticut went to her first mammogram party two years ago at an imaging center in her town of …
Survivors are part of a sisterhood, whether they choose to be or not. And sharing stories – funny, sad, ironic – is what sisters do best.
- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
- Ronni Newton
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Tuesday, October 30, 2012
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
Resources that your doctor doesn't offer for women fighting breast cancer.
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.' Jerome Krause Fashion Hair Inc. in Skokie and BSM International Wig World in Niles offer selections of wigs and hair pieces. 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…
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.
Chances are you know someone who has, or has had breast cancer. 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…
Monday, October 22, 2012
Imagine being diagnosed with breast cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The irony was not lost on survivor Marianne Kramer, who shares her story in a Patch Q&A.
A Grayslake Patch profile of breast cancer survivor Marianne Kramer, 43, of Round Lake. When and how were you diagnosed with breast cancer? I was officially diagnosed on Oct. 5, 2011, at 42. It’s not exactly easy being diagnosed during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, since not only is on your mind constantly, it is then everywhere you turn as well! A year later, it is much easier to take. I actually found the lump in my right breast during a self-exam. At the time, I was actually in the best physical shape I had been in, in about 15 years. I was eating well, working out regularly through cardio-kickboxing and strength training, and had recently lost some weight, including in my breasts, and I believe because of the weight loss, the lump was…
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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 area. The Cook County Department of Public Health is part of the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program through the Illinois Department of Health. The department provides breast exams, screenings and in assistance in attaining treatment for breast cancer. For more information contact 708-786-4000. The WomanCare Breast Health Center in Arlington Heights offers a state-of-the-art center with full field digital mammography, breast ultrasounds and biopsy …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
"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 in the surrounding area, 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 …
Saturday, October 13, 2012
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. A breast cancer support group through Northwest Community Healthcare meets the first Wednesday of every month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Radiation Oncology/Ambulatory Infusion Clinic at NCH in Arlington Heights. For more information, call HealthConnection at 847-618-4YOU. Cut the Cancer is a support group aimed at giving cancer patients and their caregivers the physical and mental …
