Melania Trump club

Melania Trump club

Sunday, 16 October 2011

Breast cancer takes center stage this month

Today will be Jennifer Harrison’s first public appearance as a breast-cancer survivor, the day she takes the first of many steps to thank the American Cancer Society.


“I never realized how much they did until I needed them,” said Harrison, 40, a Springfield resident who was diagnosed in June, had surgery in July and is undergoing chemotherapy.


Harrison, who works as a grant manager for the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, is participating with her own team of about 60 friends and family members in the fourth annual Springfield Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.


She and her team, “Cha-Ching for Cha Chas,” collectively raised more than $4,000 for today’s event, which is expected to attract about 1,000 walkers and will benefit the cancer society’s prevention efforts, treatment, patient services and research.


People are welcome to show up this morning and take part even if they haven’t registered ahead of time, said Shayne Squires, spokeswoman for the cancer society’s Illinois division.


Last year’s event, with 70 teams, raised $98,125. With more than 90 teams, this year’s 5K walk is expected to be “well above” last year’s fundraising total, Squires said.


Harrison said she didn’t know about the walk until she began treatment for two tumors that were detected in her right breast. The tumors were found after she had a mammogram — her first — in May, and doctors later learned that the cancer had spread to four nearby lymph nodes.


Harrison, whose maternal grandmother died from breast cancer at 43, had surgery July 12 at St. John’s Hospital to remove her breast. As a precaution, she had the left, unaffected breast removed, too.


Harrison, the married mother of a 5-year-old daughter, has begun the process of surgical breast reconstruction.


The chemotherapy has caused nausea and fatigue, as well as the temporary loss of Harrison’s shoulder-length, brown hair. Chemotherapy will end in mid-December. And with 6 1/2 weeks of radiation treatments scheduled to begin in January, she said her prognosis is “very good.”


A volunteer peer mentor provided by the cancer society — a woman close to Harrison’s age and a fellow breast-cancer survivor — has helped sustain her emotionally.


“She’s basically been a support system,” Harrison said. “She sends me funny cards. She’s very encouraging. She doesn’t sugar-coat anything for you.”


Harrison said she enjoyed attending the society’s free “Look Good, Feel Better” class on cosmetics and other beauty tips during cancer treatment, and the society helped her get a free wig and scarves.


“The American Cancer Society — I can’t say enough wonderful things about them,” she said.


Harrison said she wants to become a peer mentor someday, but for now, she will raise money by walking with her husband of 20 years, Jim, 43, and their daughter, Ella. Joining them will be relatives and friends from her workplace and from Little Flower Catholic School and Church.


She said she feels overwhelmed that so many people wanted to join her team. Taking part in an event focused on breast cancer has lifted her spirits, she said.


“I consider this a bump in the road,” she said. “I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.”

Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man Reminder


The video begins with "Dr." Rothaford Gray talking about how many women aren't checking regularly for breast cancer. But, he says, studies have shown that women are more likely to watch videos that feature hot guys. So guess what comes next. That's right. Hot guys.


There's Anthony, who quickly doffs his shirt to reveal a stunning six-pack, then tells viewers about the free "Your Man Reminder" app that sends regular prompts from the hot guy of your choice to tell you to check your breasts. If Anthony isn't your cup of tea, there's Glenn, or Isaac or Christian. That's going to be a tough decision.


This video may not be everyone's cup of tea, but we thought it was hilarious, and a refreshing way to get the message across. Now, pardon us while we get serious for a minute: Some studies suggest that self-exams may not improve breast cancer survival. A 2008 Cochrane Library review of two large studies in Russia and China that involved 388,535 women found no differences in breast cancer deaths between women who did self-exams and those who didn't. However, in the Russian study more cases of cancer were found in the self-examination group. But nearly twice as many biopsies that had benign outcomes were done in the groups that self-screened compared with the non-screening groups.


The American Cancer Society says that self-exams are an "option" for women starting in their 20s and lays out the evidence of their usefulness on its website: "Research has shown that breast self-examinations play a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman. ... Women who choose to do self-exam should have their ... technique reviewed during their physical exam by a health professional."





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