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Reporter's Notebook: A hassle becomes a worthwhile errand (March 6
On the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle's Web site, there are 22 passenger license plates to choose from, and I picked the “Breast Cancer Support," which directly benefits the Breast Cancer Services Special Program Fund. Inscribed in pink are the letters “MSS EM" – in honor of my grandmother who always called me “Miss Em" and lost her battle against breast cancer when I was 2 years old. “Thank you," I said to the man standing beside my car. “It's for a good cause." “I lost my wife two weeks ago to lung cancer," he said. I was taken aback by this unexpected honesty, feeling sad for this stranger who felt the need to express his gratitude to me. “I'm so sorry to hear that," I said. “Well, that's why I like your license plate," he said. Not knowing what else would be appropriate or kind enough to say, I thanked him again as he walked away and I drove off fighting back tears, but smiling at the same time. Grumpy from the mundane task of grocery shopping, a stranger turned my mood around by opening up to me as we chatted in the parking lot. — Emma Bouthillette
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‘Mama Dot’ gives helping hand to former inmates
A breast cancer survivor, Pinkerton spreads a story of hope and inspiration in prisons. But her big worry is about the system. "I'll tell you, I'm concerned about prisons today. They're stacking them three bunks high, giving them two meals a day and are cutting chaplains. Chaplains and volunteers are the glue that hold prisons together." When she visits, Pinkerton wades into the crowds of inmates like a celebrity. They are happy to see her. She's not afraid of those in prison or those in her two Lighthouse homes. But she fears crime. "I'm afraid of drug dealers, of carjackers shooting up neighborhoods." A widow, Pinkerton lives in a gated community. She knows society fears and hates criminals, often with good reason. But a blanket throw-away-the-key attitude draws her ire.
Survival Rates Still Low Even Though Cancer Death Rates Dropping
The slower decline in African American women is largely due to smaller decreases in breast and colorectal cancer death rates.
The report estimates that among African Americans in 2009, there will be about 150,090 new cases of invasive cancer diagnosed and about 63,360 cancer deaths. The most commonly diagnosed cancers among African American men will be prostate (34 percent), lung (16 percent), and colon and rectum (10 percent). Among African American women, the most common cancers will be breast (25 percent), lung (12 percent), and colon and rectum (11 percent). Cancer of the lung will be the most common cause of cancer death in both African American men (31 percent) and women (23 percent), followed by prostate cancer in men (12 percent) and breast cancer in women (19 percent).
Program helps Palm Beach girls turn their lives around
"When I was 11 years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and within two years she was gone. After her death, I suffered severe depression, loneliness, anxiety and complete isolation," said Tartarkin, of Boca Raton, an assistant personal shopper in the At Your Service department at the Bloomingdale's at Boca Town Center. "I relate to the girls of WOT by sharing my experiences with them, being a good listener, praising them when their grades are good and encouraging them if they struggle."
Tartarkin took her group on a field trip to Bloomingdale's Feb. 6, giving them an opportunity to tour the store, meet with various female employees and have lunch.
"I am honored to be able to welcome this group of young women," said Teri Harden, vice president and general manager of the Boca Raton store.
Round Britain walk
Alaric is hoping to raise as much money as he can through the walk for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the Parkinson's Disease Society, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Little Princess Trust.The Little Princess Trust provide real hair wigs to children suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment and alopecia.Alaric said the walk was something he thought about around five years ago, but it took a bit of time to get going.He said: "I started in January, and I thought it would be summer by the time I got up here, but I've been a lot quicker than I thought I would be. The cold is not a problem but the snow is a bit difficult. I've had hardly any rain at all - I've only been wet twice!"I thought that it'd be harder and more tedious - you get up and think, 'I'm walking again all day'. There are peaks and troughs - but it's just walking."I wanted to see how the landscape has changed - Lincolnshire was quite dull, Kent was quite pretty, but it was Northumbria where it got really good."Montrose was a good place to stop and I've never been here before.
Project Healthy Living: March 16 - May 16
Special tests offered at selected sites include oral/dental screening, skin cancer, and breast exams. In addition, hs-CRP, a new blood test, is being offered. CRP is a C-reactive protein blood test that can be used to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke. Once again, Project Healthy Living is targeting young adults ranging from the ages of 18 to 40 years old. Many sites will offer a variety of tests that focus on this age group including: bone density test, body composition, and cardiovascular screening. Information on specific sites and tests is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, through the Project Healthy Living Hotline, (313) 531-9108, or online at www.projecthealthyliving.netMore than 9,000 volunteers and 500 agencies will assist in the delivery of Project Healthy Living services.
Drink Up, Boost Pancreatic Cancer Risk?
When men drank more than three, the risk rose to nearly 60% compared to nondrinkers, when looking at a specific kind of pancreatic cancer, an adenocarcinoma. That was a significant association. The majority of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas. The effect was the same regardless of type of alcohol, she says. "It doesn't appear to be associated with a specific beverage; it is associated with total alcohol intake." Why alcohol boosts risk isn't known, but one of several theories is that a by-product of alcohol metabolism acts as a co-carcinogen. The researchers also found that the link between alcohol and pancreatic cancer was stronger for those of normal weight than for obese or overweight participants. "Obesity is thought to be strongly associated with pancreatic cancer," Genkinger says.
Mums' habits echo down the ages, University of Adelaide finds
What about mothers who drink when they breast feed? The BAL in the childs blood must be a considerable amount higher than the mother given the childs BMI. I've seen pregnant women smoke and drink and I've witnessed a woman drink a premixed vodka then breast feed her son! I agree with you Stephanie of Hackham, they are poor excuses for mothers if they can't put their childs health before their own revolting habit! Posted by: Soriah of 12:05pm today Lets see does smoking increase your chances of getting cancer. Answer yes proven beyond doubt. So is it a selfish decision to smoke while pregnant answer yes. It is only your addiction that will try & justify that it was the right thing to do. Posted by: Mark of Adelaide 12:01pm today Ditto on what Sue of Adelaide said - Aclohol during pregnancy (and while breastfeeding) can cause health consequenses for life, not just 30 years! Posted by: Helen of Aberfoyle Park 10:21am today I agree 100% with Stephanie of Hackam! I'm a social drinker and smoker, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I immediately stopped doing anything that would put my baby at risk.
Weekly Planner
HOPE Breast Cancer Survivors Group, meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Suite 2305, 709 Hollybrook, Longview. Information: C. Neunaber, (903) 753-3988. Longview Community Men, fellowship meal, 6:30 p.m., leadership series, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Bethel Baptist Church, 323 S. Court St., Longview. Panelists: Carl Briley, Bill Campbell, Ray Coates, Dennis Everett, Lewis Fluellen and Tim Watson. Facilitators: Everett, pastors' session and Campbell, laymen's session. Theme: "Effective Leadership in the Church." WEDNESDAY Senior Circle Center, exercise class, 9 to 10 a.m.; game day, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, 3000 N. Fourth St., Longview. Membership required. Information: (903) 232-3878. Winterfield Quilters, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Winterfield United Methodist Church, 2616 Tryon Road, Longview.
Cancer survivors are messengers of hope
Just as important, Posvar, 54, of Point Breeze introduces them to the support network built over decades for cancer survivors. That network will be on display Saturday at the Green Tree Radisson, during the American Cancer Society's 21st annual Cancer Survivor's Conference. Posvar, twice diagnosed with breast cancer, helped to plan the conference. .
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