8 WAYS YOU CAN FIGHT BREAST CANCER

Posted by Kristin Granero

The National Cancer Institute projects more than 230,000 new cases of breast cancer in women this year alone! While we’re still searching for a cure, there are many opportunities to raise awareness and join the fight during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

1. Assess your risk. Breast cancer research suggests about five to 10 percent of cases are hereditary, passed from mother to child. Make an effort to learn your family health history, and talk to your doctor about your personal risk.

2. Get handsy with your breasts. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, nearly 70 percent of all breast cancers are discovered through self-exams. Get a head start on early cancer detection with this step-by-step self-examination guide.

3. Schedule a screening. Even if you don’t notice any changes in your breasts, such as new lumps, change in size or shape, and/or irregularity of the nipple area (in which case, you should pay a trip to the doctor right away), the Susan G. Komen Foundation recommends having a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20 (switching to every year at age 40).

4. Start maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While doctors can’t pinpoint one specific breast cancer trigger, they have come up with lists of possible “lifestyle-based” precursors, such as poor diet and exercise habits. For a list of cancer-fighting foods, click here.

5. Join the fight. Think power in numbers! Rally up a group of people to participate in a charity walk or run. For a list of events in your area, look to organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and the Avon Foundation for Women: Breast Cancer Crusade.

6. Make the cut. Eight inches and six ponytails. That’s what it takes to make a wig. So with a snip here and a snip there, your shorter ‘do will have a ongoing effect lasting longer than the six weeks before your next trim. It might just be the boost a woman needs as she fights for her life. For more information, check out Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which specializes in having hair made into wigs for women in need.

7. Host a fundraising event. Thanks to social media platforms, raising money for a cause is easier than ever before. Next time you’re on Facebook, add the Pink Ribbon application, which raises money for mammograms. Or bookmark The Breast Cancer Site on your browser – one simple click each day provides a free mammogram to a woman in need. If you’re feeling more creative and more proactive, look into hosting a bake sale or happy hour.

8. Shop for the cure. Perhaps the easiest way to contribute to breast cancer research costs is to think pink while shopping for groceries, clothing, beauty products and more this month. For information on some of the many brands hosting Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, click here.

How will you fight back this month?

http://life2pointoh.com/2011/10/breast-cancer-activism/

Alopecia – Women Deserve Better Care

We are seeing more and more alopecia women who approach us because they are tired of gluing hairpieces to their heads. This practice started many years ago and was first used on men with male pattern baldness. The hair piece is glued directly onto the scalp with an adhesive that can only be removed by a technician. The average wear time before removal is 6 weeks. I know exactly how they feel because I also wore glued on wigs in the past. I felt trapped in something I was unable to remove. After a few months, no matter how often I washed the hair it still had an offensive odor. The most distasteful and even medically harmful side effect was the dermatitis I developed on my skin. I had to seek medical attention from my dermatologist to help with the resulting infection. This type of hair replacement is not an alopecia treatment but a cover up. Many other hair replacement options give you security without the harmful effects of glue. Because an alopecia cure is not in sight I recommend doing your homework and reach out for alopecia support before making a decision. As a result of this awful experience I introduced the vacuum hairpiece into the American market. No tape or glue is needed to keep this hairpiece on the head. You can even swim. Alopecia women deserve a better solution than a glued on hairpiece. There is no skin irritation associated with vacuum wigs, and they leave you with a more secure feeling. There are better options available. Peggy Knight was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, a condition that promotes hair loss and has no known cause or cure, at the age of 14. Over the last 4 decades she has transformed herself from a scared misunderstood little girl into a triumphant and confidant woman. Peggy Knight understands every emotion and fear that is associated with hair loss and has nearly completed her book with in depth details about coping and over coming the fear and rejection associated with hair loss. http://skin-care.hot-trend-now.com/alopecia-women-deserve-better-care/