A Land Far Away

October is breast cancer awareness month in the US. I lost my mother to breast cancer nearly 9 years ago so anyone who has survived or watched a loved one battle the disease has my heartfelt sympathy. In memory of my mom, I'm doing my tiny little part to increase awareness by spamming Off Topic here in ALFA.

As with any kind of cancer, early detection is the key to successful treatment. For most women this means the dreaded *cringe* mammogram and self-exams. The following are the recommendations from the American Cancer Society for screening and early detection of breast cancer:

• * Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
  
  * Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, 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 feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
  
  * Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Since I know guys don't want to read all this I'll just toss some links in for the ALFA ladies.

The American Cancer Society website contains a lot of information about detection and treatment plus other useful links.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women aged 50 to 64 access to breast and cervical cancer screening tests and follow-up services.

The Breast Cancer Site teams with sponsors to provide free mammograms to for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers educational materials and free mammograms to women as well as support groups for those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.

Don't forget to tie your pink ribbons on!

I am not sure which month it is over here in Australia, but a number of products have started to appear in pink varieties, with the companies making donations to breast cancer research for each product sold.

A very worthy cause.

Blimey.

For the first time ever, having seen Alara's and now Twiggy's post, I considered the possibility that ALFA might qualify as an internet community which has matured.

Links to the two biggest breast cancer charities in the UK are below:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3266
The situation is different in the UK in that of course treatment of cancer is free on the NHS, but such charities can offer extremely valuable support to patients and their families and carers. However, the charities in the US providing free screening to groups most in need of help are more deserving of your charity.

I'll happily check anyone too nervous to see a 'real' doctor.

What was that you were saying about matured?

*bump*

October isn't over yet!

Remember ladies; a therough boob massage and tonguebath keeps your knockers from going lumpy and stale. Men like love-pillows for more than or hormonal obsession, it's because we care. We care so much we always want to give you a fine pearl necklace to go with your stunning natural and undenyable beauty.

The More You Know.

Charlie wrote:The More You Know.

The less you smoke.



Thanks to this thread I didn't start being confused when I saw all the KaDeWe employees wear pink ribbons. I approve.

It becomes apparent to me why you must get your women in Second Life.

And in real life. Axe cologn is more effective than advertised. It's either that or my muscles and smile. Anyway, yes donate to the pink-ribboned people. For their cause is just and good.... yes.

So my hubby isn't the only one that uses the "I'm worried about your health" line to cop a feel under the guise of checking for lumps? Is it one of those universal guy things?

The truth is, yes for a man, it's a joke to lighten a serious subject with someone you're intamate with. It's meant to make both parties feel better by mechanism of social pratfall. That, and he wants you to feel better.

LOL

No his primary motive is to cop a feel. I know my guy.

Maybe that too.

And of course everyone knows the best place to check for lumps is in the shower....


What? It is!