Friday, August 28, 2009

“Fighting the good fight - MPNow” plus 4 more

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“Fighting the good fight - MPNow” plus 4 more


Fighting the good fight - MPNow

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 12:23 PM PDT

Sarah Dobbs didn't think she had anything to worry about. The mother of two is health conscious, doesn't drink or smoke, eats a mainly low-fat diet heavy in fruits and vegetables, and exercises regularly.

As for breast cancer — "I didn't think I was at risk," said Dobbs, 56, a probation officer for Ontario County.

But one day, she felt a lump in her right breast. A visit to her doctor and subsequent medical tests confirmed it: Cancer.

The diagnosis is a jolt that turns your world upside down, said the Canandaigua resident.
"It takes away your confidence you'll live forever," she said.

Dobbs is one of the lucky ones. She is free of cancer today. After her diagnosis in 2001, she had a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.

"When I was diagnosed, I thought, 'I haven't even seen the Great Wall of China and I have things to do,'" she said. 

Last year, Dobbs went to China and toured the Great Wall.

Like other women who have battled breast cancer, Dobbs is making the most of every day and joins efforts to help others faced with the potentially terminal disease.

Dealing with the emotional and financial impact of breast cancer "can be so overwhelming," said Mary Savastano Cutting, Thompson's director of case management/social work. The cost of treatment is a financial blow even for those with health insurance, she said. That's in addition to dealing with the stress of managing work and family along with the illness, she said.

That is why Dobbs and others, including local businesses and organizations, are participating in a fundraiser Sunday at the Sonnenberg Gardens & mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua.

The Pink Ribbon Round-up, a bridal showcase, will feature a fashion show and an array of other offerings. The event seeks to raise awareness of breast cancer while raising money for Thompson Health's Breast Navigation Program. The program, open to anyone, offers free services to those who have breast cancer or who are suspected of having it, said Savastano Cutting.

A team of experts — including a social worker and nurses specializing in mammography, breast health and diagnostic imaging — provides services such as clinical breast exams and educational materials, as well as help with insurance options, scheduling appointments and tracking treatment results.

"The idea is to save lives," said Savastano Cutting.

Though a somber subject, organizers of Sunday's event expect lots of fun.

"This will be really beautiful," said Antoinette Infurna, owner of Antoinette's Bridal and Prom on Ontario Street in Canandaigua.

Infurna has outfitted several women in elegant attire to model in the fashion show.

Denett Pimkowski, 53, of Victor, will wear a shimmery blue Mother-of-the-bride dress. Pimkowski beat breast cancer in 2003 with chemotherapy, radiation and a lumpectomy. But cancer returned last year, in a different part of her body. 

After going to the doctor for severe back pain, cancer was found in her bones, she said. Now she is battling the spread of cancer in major areas of her body including her spine and left hip.

But she won't let it get her down.

Pimkowski, who celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary June 30 with husband John Pimkowski, adores horses and heads up the carriage rides for Granger Homestead, a historic site and tourist attraction in Canandaigua.

Denett "is near and dear to the Sonnenberg family," said Sonnenberg events manager Rachel Dewey. "She has been key in linking Sonnenberg and Granger" for weddings, horse and carriage rides and other events, said Dewey.

This Sunday, Denett hopes to be key in the success of Pink Ribbon Round-up.

"Even though my prognosis is terminal," she said, "I am doing everything I can, as much as I can.

"There is a lot you can do each day to appreciate the time you have." she added. "Fighting cancer is as much about the mental part as taking your medicine."



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Ring winner is a cancer survivor - Indiana Gazette

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 11:04 AM PDT

The ring is valued at $13,000 but to Paul, a breast cancer survivor, it's worth so much more.

"I was in a state of shock when he told me on the phone. I just really was. I told him I was a breast cancer survivor so, well, it will mean everything in the world to me," said Paul, of Indiana. "It's a reminder to people when they see it."

"The fact that she is a breast cancer survivor validates that this year's gift perhaps gave more back than its organizers could have anticipated," said Paula Hencel, executive director of the Indiana Healthcare Foundation, in a news release.

Paul was diagnosed in November 2006, underwent chemotherapy and radiation and has been cancer-free since October 2007.

"You get through it — it's tough — with lots of love and lots of prayers and really to have strong faith," Paul said. "It was a pretty grueling year but the outcome has been wonderful. The support that family and friends and my church gave me was outstanding. I'm just really, really thrilled."

She said she buys the tickets every year because she believes the Love of Life raffle is a worthwhile event.



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What every woman should know ... About breasts - 13 WREX-TV

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 08:55 AM PDT

By Lila Havens, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

Content provided by

To some women they're the "girls," "pillows" or "ta-tas." Whatever you call them, the breasts are an important part of a woman's anatomy. It's a good idea to get to know how your breasts usually look and feel. If you know them well, you're more likely to spot a problem early.

Understanding your breasts

The breasts are glands whose job is to make, store and dispense milk. Each breast is made up of lobes, which are divided into lobules. The lobules have tiny glands that produce milk. Ducts carry the milk from the lobules to the nipples. Connective tissue binds the lobules together, and fatty tissue surrounds the lobules and ducts.

The breasts also contain a number of thin tubes called lymph vessels, which are similar to blood vessels. These vessels connect to lymph nodes that surround the breast. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system, which helps your body fight disease and infection.

Getting to know your breasts

Most experts don't recommend breast self-exams for breast cancer detection. Mammograms and breast exams by your doctor are the best way to find breast cancer early. If you do self-exams, they should be done in addition to, not instead of, mammograms and clinical breast exams. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and limitations of breast self-exams.

Still, many women choose to check their breasts on a regular basis. They often do this while they're showering or bathing. If you are familiar with your body, you'll know what's normal for you and notice any changes that occur.

The various types of breast tissue respond differently to the hormone changes that accompany your menstrual cycle. Some types get softer while others become more firm. This helps explain why you may feel changes in your breast that come and go.

Most breasts have some lumpy areas that are perfectly normal. If you find a lumpy area in one breast, check the surrounding area and the opposite breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. Check with your doctor right away, though, just to be sure.

Breast changes that may signal a problem include:

  • A hard lump or knot in or near the breast or under your arm
  • Dimples, puckers or ridges in the breast skin
  • A nipple that turns in instead of sticking out
  • Redness, warmth, swelling or pain
  • An itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
  • Discharge from the breast (other than milk)
  • A change in the color, size, shape or texture of a breast

If you notice any of these changes, see your doctor right away. Most breast lumps or changes are not cancer, but you may need to have a test to confirm that.

View the original What every woman should know ... About breasts article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

  • National Women's Health Information Center. Breast awareness and breast self-exam.
  • American Cancer Society. Detailed guide: breast cancer.
  • National Cancer Institute. What you need to know about breast cancer.
  • American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. Breast self-exam.


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New Cancer Immunotherapy Index Posts 23% Gains Lead by Mentor Capital ... - Phramalive.com

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 12:30 PM PDT

SAN DIEGO --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 28, 2009 - The Cancer Immunotherapy Index of ten leading cancer immunotherapy stocks increased 23% since its inception July 10, 2009. The CI Index was developed by Mentor Capital as a peer group index against which investors could bench mark stock performance in the rapidly growing immunotherapy sector. In this first reporting, the strong six-week CI Index gain was paced by the 78% share price improvement of Mentor Capital, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MNTR). On July 10, 2009, Mentor Capital announced it had acquired a significant interest in and was a new public market proxy for Quantum Immunologics, Inc., a private company in FDA breast cancer trials. Oncothyreon (NASDAQ:ONTY), with significant lung cancer involvement, followed in CI Index performance with a 71% gain in its stock. Dendreon (NASDAQ:DNDN), with $2.7 Billion market capitalization, is the largest company in the Cancer Immunotherapy Index, and experienced a 1,000% share price gain during the Spring of 2009.

In cancer immunotherapy, instead of chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation, the body's own immune system is triggered to attack cancer cells. Patients report only flu-like symptoms as their now activated natural defenses attempt to eradicate or stabilize the targeted cancers. The USA market addressed by the Cancer Immunotherapy Index companies is estimated at $45 Billion. The current combined market cap of the index component companies is $3.4 Billion. In addition to Mentor Capital, Oncothyreon and Dendreon, the CI Index features ImmunoCellular Theraputics (IMUC.OB), Antigenics (NASDAQ:AGEN), Biovest International (BVTI.PK), Celldex Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CLDX), Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBO.OB), CEL – SCI Corp. (AMEX:CVM) and Generex Biotechnology (NASDAQ:GNBT) as a proxy for its wholly-owned immunotherapeutic subsidiary, Antigen Express.

The CI Index was developed in consultation with Mike Havrilla, PhD, co-founder and Managing Editor of BioMed Reports. Dr. Havrilla actively manages 23 indexes. The Cancer Immunotherapy Index is primarily an immunotherapy subset of his Cancer Diagnostic & Therapeutic (Dx/Tx) Micro-Cap Index. Weekly detail updates of the Cancer Immunotherapy Index may be reviewed at www.MentorCapital.com.

Forward Looking Statements, Safe Harbor and Risk Descriptions are Incorporated by Reference from the MNTR Company Web Site above.

 

 

Contact: Mentor Capital, Inc.
Chet Billingsley, CEO
760-788-4700

 

 








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Motorcycle ride against cancer - Morning Sun

Posted: 28 Aug 2009 04:16 AM PDT

The Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club Station 370 Central Michigan and Station 247 Great Lakes Region is presenting "Rae Ann's Survival Ride," a scenic motorcycle ride through central Michigan and a "Breast Cancer Bash" beginning at the Shepherd VFW Post 8215, 8970 S. Shepherd Rd. on Saturday.

Registration at 2 p.m.

The "Breast Cancer Bash" begins following the ride, at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall with games, disc jockey, 50/50, auction and food.

Ride cost is $30 for single rider or $40 for couple. Cost includes the ride, a gift, cover to the bash, entertainment and two raffle tickets.

Bash cover is $10 at the door and includes entertainment and two raffle tickets.

All proceeds go to breast cancer patients in central Michigan.

For more information call Mike at 621-8902 or Brad at 506-1442.



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1 comment:

  1. interesting blog. It would be great if you can provide more details about it. Thanks you





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