As many of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month. It’s a disease that has touched me and my family personally. Some stories have happy endings, while others do not. This disease knows no boundaries; It will strike any person, male or female, any race or ethnicity, and regardless of any socioeconomic factors. Did you know:
- excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women?
- according to the National Cancer Institute approximately 2.5 million women with a history of breast cancer {some still in treatment, while most cancer-free} were alive in January 2006?
- white women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than African American women beginning at age 45? However, African American women have a higher incidence rate before age 45 and are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age.
- Find out more breast cancer fact & figures here.
Yes, early detection saves lives. Here are breast cancer early detection guidelines by the American Cancer Society:
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
- Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Here are the five steps of a breast self-exam. Do not skip step #4.
The American Cancer Society recommends that some women — because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors — be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: less than 2 of all the women in the US.) Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age.
Is there hope? You bet. Research projects throughout the world are increasing our knowledge of genetics, molecular biology and immunology to develop more effective and less toxic treatments for breast cancer. Research is also focused on uncovering the ability to target and disrupt the effects of molecular changes that cause breast cells to become cancerous. This knowledge will in turn be used to personalize breast cancer therapy.
This is why supporting breast cancer research projects is so important. There are a ton of “pink” promotions out there this month, but Pink Wishbone Project is one of my favorites:
Twenty of the world’s leading women interior designers including Alexa Hampton, Ruthie Sommers, Celerie Kemble, and Kelly Wearstler add their personal touches to a legendary Wishbone chair by Hans Wegner. The one-of-a-kind chairs will be auctioned off online October 7-28, 2010. The Pink Wishbone Project will give 100 of the proceeds from every stylish chair to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Here’s the link: CharityBuzz.com/Auctions/BCRFFurniture. Are the designer cushions out of your budget? The pink wishbone chairs will also available at SuiteNy.com and 20 of their profits go to BCRF. Here is a sampling of some of the chairs that will be auctioned off:
Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with Cushion Designed by Bunny Williams {above}
Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with Cushion Designed by Annie Kelly {above}Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with Cushion Designed by Julie Hillman {above}
Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with Cushion Designed by Tori Golub {above}
The Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with Cushion Designed by Lulu deKwiatkowski {above} is my favorite. The retro design is super fun, but it was the note hanging off the back of the chair that makes it most special:
Which is your favorite chair? And do me a favor this month and feel your boobies.
*this post is in loving memory of my grandmother {passed at age 46}
& friend D {passed at age 41}
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