Ten tips to steer clear of breast cancer

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, experts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and its clinical care partner, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, are offering research-based tip sheets related to breast cancer, including breast cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment, and survivorship.

The series launches today with '10 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention' provided by Anne McTiernan, director of the Hutchinson Center's Prevention Center, a member of the Center's Public Health Sciences Division, and author of "Breast Fitness" (St. Martin's Press).

10 tips for breast cancer prevention

1. Avoid becoming overweight. Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer after menopause, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Try to maintain a body-mass index under 25.

2. Eat healthy to avoid tipping the scale. Embrace a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat lean protein such as fish or chicken breast and eat red meat in moderation, if at all. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.

3. Keep physically active, even when begun later in life. It reduces overall breast-cancer risk by about 10% to 30%. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week.

4. Drink little or no alcohol. Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

5. Avoid hormone replacement therapy. Menopausal hormone therapy increases risk for breast cancer. If you must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, avoid those that contain progesterone and limit their use to less than three years. "Bioidentical hormones" and hormonal creams and gels are no safer than prescription hormones and should also be avoided.

6. Consider taking an oestrogen-blocking drug. Women with a family history of breast cancer or who are over age 60 should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of oestrogen-blocking drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.

7. Don't smoke. Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women.

8. Breast-feed your babies for as long as possible. Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later.

9. Participate in a research study. The Hutchinson Center is home to several studies that are looking at ways to reduce the risk for breast cancer.

10. Get fit and support breast cancer research at the same time. Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Ascend some of the world's most breathtaking peaks while raising vital funds for and awareness of breast cancer research by participating in the Hutchinson Center's annual Climb to Fight Breast Cancer.

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Tattoo Studios Support Breast Cancer Help, Inc. With “Ink For Pink” Campaign

In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two local tattoo studios will support Breast Cancer Help, Inc. For the month of October, Good Times Tattoo Studio in East Islip and Horifudo Tattoo Studio in Smithtown will take part in a month-long “Ink For Pink” campaign. During the month of October, customers can get a tattoo of the Breast Cancer Help ribbon at either studio done for free; in exchange, they can make checks payable to Breast Cancer Help, Inc. in the amount it cost for the design.

On October 9, Good Times Tattoo Studio will have a special offer for its customers. Those who choose a design will get their tattoo done for free, with all of the sales proceeds of the design going to Breast Cancer Help. There will also be limited-edition T-shirts and paintings on sale, with proceeds also going to benefit Breast Cancer Help.

“We would like to thank Good Times Tattoo Studio and Horifudo Tattoo Studio for their participation in this unique fundraising event,” said Lorraine Pace, Co-President, Breast Cancer Help, Inc. “These studios are helping to bring the issue of breast cancer awareness to the forefront by providing designs of the Breast Cancer Help ribbons for their customers. These designs will definitely get the message across in a more prominent fashion.”

Good Times Tattoo Studio is located at 9 Meroke Lane in East Islip. Horifudo Tattoo Studio is located at 1020 Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown. For more information, call Frank at Good Times Tattoo Studio at (631) 277-8177.

For more information on Breast Cancer Help, Inc., call (631) 675-9003 or visitwww.breastcancerhelpinc.org.

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BLING MY BRA CHARITY AUCTIONS LAUNCHED ON EBAY FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that means Bling My Bra. The second annual Bling My Bra campaign of Giving Works charity auctions on eBay is now underway.

Bling My Bra is a group of ordinary women getting together nationwide to raise money for breast cancer awareness, education, and research. They have hand crafted and donated one-of-a-kind art bras to be auctioned on eBay throughout the month of October. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, global leader of the breast cancer movement.

The blinged bras run the gamut of imagination and creativity, from sequins and rhinestones, feathers and fringe to comic book superheros to patriotic and sports-themed bras, and more. Celebrity bras are being contributed by Richard Brewer-Hay, eBay Ink Blog; Marsha Collier, ecommerce expert and bestselling author of the eBay for Dummies series; Lynn Dralle, the Queen of Auctions and eBay Certified Provider; Edward Hamilton, the Ministry of Rum; John Jantsch, ecommerce strategist and creator of Duct Tape Marketing; Debbie Levitt, founder/CEO of AsWas, an eBay Certified Stores Designer; Mike Michalowicz, the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur; and others, including eBay Radio. Dallas Cowboys legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy White has signed a Dallas Cowgirl Cheerleaders Bra.

EBay is supporting Bling My Bra too, with several teams of employees involved in creating bras. The eBay employee whose blinged bra brings in the most money for charity will be awarded an Apple iPad by eBay CEO John Donahoe.

New bras are being listed on eBay every day throughout October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

These unique and exciting eBay Giving Works charity auctions can be found in the Bling My Bra eBay store at blingmybra.com or by searching on eBay for keywords "bling my bra". More details are available at blingmybra.com or via MediaRelations@blingmybra.com.

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Woman bikes across country for breast cancer

Though a bit sunburned, Iris Klein pedalled her way through Amarillo streets Saturday toward a crowd of about a dozen well-wishers.

When she entered Amarillo, Klein, 35, found herself thousands of miles away from her home in Colon, Germany.

But she wouldn't have it any other way.

She quit her day job as a marketing manager in Colon to raise awareness and money for breast cancer treatment and research after cancer claimed the life of a friend who lived in Chicago.

"I just really hope I can inspire one or two people," she said.

Wearing a black bike outfit along with pink socks, pink shoelaces and a pink water bottle, she's been bicycling across Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles since Sept. 13 in a movement she's named "Bike 4 the Cure."

"My legs, I didn't even know they could get that color," she said, showing off her burn line.

She's already gone through about five bottles of sunscreen. She usually bikes four to six hours each day and averages about 70 miles a day.

In all, she'll ride an estimated 2,500 miles in 44 days on her yellow bicycle to raise about $10,000 for "Ellen for the Cure," Ellen DeGen- eres' charity, which benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She hopes to arrive in Los Angeles on Oct. 26.

All money raised during her journey will help support breast cancer research and education.

"The first week was kind of tough because I had to get in the rhythm," she said.

She's also learned a lot about the habits of strangers. She usually "couch surfs," which means she spends her nights sleeping on whatever couch someone offers up.

"We met crazy people," she said. "One of those is me of course."

There was a man who clearly hadn't cleaned in quite a while.

"There's dirty and there's dirty," Klein said. "He was dirty."

She plans to spend today in Amarillo as well. From 2 to 4 p.m. today Klein plans to visit Gold's Gym, 3440 S. Bell St., and host an hourlong fitness medley class involving weights, dancing and martial arts. The gym has also planned several other events today in her honor.

The event is free and open to anyone who wants to meet her or come work out, said Sylvia Olivas, Gold's group fitness manager.

"We want the community to come out and support her," Olivas said.

By JANELLE STECKLEIN

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Israel, with one of world's highest breast cancer rates, marks awareness month

High incidence of breast cancer in Israel attributed to 'Jewish gene' mutation common among Ashkenazi Jews.

Israel, where the incidence of breast cancer is among the highest in the world, launched an international breast cancer awareness month on Saturday. With the help of the cosmetics company Estee Lauder and the Israel Cancer Association, the buildings along the coast in the Old City of Jaffa were lit with pink lights, signifying the struggle against breast cancer.

	A building along the Jaffa coast lit up in pink to mark breast cancer awareness month
	Photo by: Nir Kafri

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Israel. The high rate is attributed to the "Jewish gene" – three mutations in the genes BRACA1 and BRACA2 – which raise the likelihood of breast cancer by 60 to 80 percent. These mutations are relatively common among Jewish Ashkenazi women, at a rate of 2.5 percent (as opposed to 0.3 percent among the general population).

4,000 Israeli women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and 900 die of the disease. In addition, 50 Israeli men are also diagnosed with breast cancer annually.

According to estimates, one in every eight Israeli women is at risk of developing breast cancer at some point in her life. Among the most common risk factors are not only genetic markers, but also environmental causes such as nutrition and physical activity.

Early detection of the cancer raises the chance of recovery to 90 percent.

Around the world, more than 40 sites were showered in pink lights to mark the beginning the of the awareness month, among them the Empire State building and the Rockefeller Center in New York City, Los Angeles' airport, the Eifel Tower in Paris, the Taj Mahal in India, and many others.

This year, Estee Lauder is trying to break the Guinness world record by lighting up at least 24 major sites around the world for at least 24 hours each. The company also plans to hand out more than 110 million pink ribbons in more than 70 countries to mark the breast cancer awareness month. 
 

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Quick facts about breast cancer in women

About 39,840 women will die from breast cancer this year.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women behind skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is a little less than 1 in 8 or 12 percent.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

More than 2.5 million have survived breast cancer in the United States - this includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.

About 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year.

About 54,010 new cases of carcinoma in situ, or CIS, will be diagnosed this year. CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer.

Women should start a breast self-exam test in their 20s and know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a breast change does not necessarily mean there is a cancer.

A clinical breast exam is an exam of your breasts by a health care professional. The exam requires the woman to undress from the waist up. The health care professional will first look at the breasts for abnormalities in size or shape, or changes in the skin of the breasts or nipple. Then, using the pads of the fingers, the examiner will gently feel the breasts.

Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance plans cover mammogram costs or a percentage of them. Low-cost mammograms are available in most communities. Call 1-800-227-2345 for information about facilities in your area or visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.

Tips for having a mammogram

Women 40 years and older should have a mammogram yearly. A recent study by the US Preventive Services Task Force has caused controversy on the issue with its recommendation that women start having mammograms at 50 years and every other year.

Women with breast implants or who are breastfeeding can still have mammograms.

On the day of the exam, don't wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain substances that can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the X-ray film as white spots.

Wear a skirt or pants, so that you'll need to remove only your blouse for the exam.

Schedule a mammogram when breasts aren't tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and to ensure a good picture. Try to avoid the week before your period.

Always describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist doing the mammogram. Be prepared to describe any medical history that could affect your breast cancer risk - such as surgery, hormone use, or family or personal history of breast cancer. Discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor or nurse before having a mammogram.

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If you do not hear from your doctor within 10 days, do not assume that your mammogram was normal - call your doctor or the facility.

If it is not posted visibly near the receptionist's desk, ask to see the FDA certificate that is issued to all facilities that offer mammography. The FDA requires that all facilities meet high professional standards of safety and quality to be a provider of mammography services. A facility may not provide mammography without certification.

Use a facility that either specializes in mammography or does many mammograms a day.

If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year.

If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should make every attempt to get those mammograms to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so that they can be compared to the new ones.

If you are going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places, dates of mammograms, biopsies or other breast treatments you have had before.

What to expect when you have a mammogram

A technologist - most are women - will be there to position your breasts for the mammogram. You and the technologist are the only ones in the room during the mammogram. The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes.

To get a high-quality mammogram picture with excellent image quality, it is necessary to flatten the breast slightly. The technologist places the breast on the mammogram machine's lower plate, which is made of metal and has a drawer to hold the X-ray film or the camera to produce a digital image. The upper plate, made of plastic, is lowered to compress the breast for a few seconds while the technician takes a picture.

You will feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed, and for some women compression can be painful. Try not to schedule a mammogram when your breasts are likely to be tender, as they may be just before or during your period.

All mammogram facilities are now required to send your results to you within 30 days. Generally, you will be contacted within five working days if there is a problem with the mammogram.

Two to four mammograms of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of cancer. About 10 percent of women who have a mammogram will require more tests, and the majority will need only an additional mammogram. Between 8 percent to 10 percent of women will need a biopsy, and 80 percent of those biopsies will not be cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society, 2010

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The Best Video Game System Bundles of This Generation

We highlight the best current-generation system bundles out there. And, of course, we included Halo: Reach

There’s nothing like the value of a limited edition bundle. Not only are you buying a swell gaming machine at a good price, but you’re also getting something that’s on a limited run of sorts. Sure, the Halo: Reach systems are everywhere now, but months from now, they’ll probably be going for a good amount of cash, just in time for the Christmas rush. With that, we’ve decided to take a look at the best special edition bundle deals out there, starting with the most obvious choice…

Halo: Reach Bundle

Recently released, the Halo: Reach bundle packs quite a bit for the $400 price tag. Packed in with the limited edition Xbox 360 S console are customized Halo sound effects (we have to admit, they’re neat), along with two limited edition Halo controllers, a headset, all the hook-ups (you’ll still need to buy the HDMI cable) and a copy of Reach. So far, the bundle’s been selling pretty well, although a few folks are holding out for the forthcoming Kinect bundle due for release in November. It’s just a good a deal, although you don’t get the cool-looking silver system. Seriously, just look at it.

Halo 3 Bundle

Well before the 360 S was conceived, Microsoft had a different Halo bundle in mind. Back in September 2007, the company released a limited edition Halo 3 package, complete with a 20 GB system, headset, controller and the hook-ups. It was priced at $399.99, but the funny thing was, it didn’t come with a copy of the game for some reason (unlike the Reach bundle). Regardless, Halo fans flocked to it, and it remains a cool little collector’s item today, despite its age.

Final Fantasy XIII Bundle

To celebrate the colossal release of Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix prepped this limited edition console, complete with an unprecedented (at the time of release) 250 GB hard drive and a copy of the game. Unfortunately, it was only sold in Japan for a hefty 41,600 yen, and now only exists in the hands of avid collectors. You can probably still track one down, but just a word of warning—you’ll be paying a pretty penny on eBay.

Mario Nintendo DS Bundle

Released in time for the holiday rush of 2008, the Nintendo DS Mario bundle consisted of a limited edition red Nintendo DS with the Mario emblem printed on the front, along with a copy of New Super Mario Bros. DS. It was sold exclusively through Toys R’ Us for a little while, before eventually making its way to other retailers. It sold quite well, and it’d be wise for Nintendo to figure out a similar bundle for when (or if, rather) it releases its Nintendo 3DS later this year. Let’s cross those fingers for a Mario Kart package.

Star Wars Battlefront Squadron PSP Bundle

The Force is with you, young Skywalker…especially if you pick up this cool Star Wars bundle. Not only do you get a system with Darth Vader’s mug embossed on the back of it, but you also receive a copy of the moderately entertaining Star Wars Battlefront Squadron as well. All that’s not a bad deal for $180, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan. Still, wouldn’t Vader been more at home with a black-colored system with a red-shaded lightsaber tint on the top? Just sayin’...

God of War PSP Bundle

Back in 2008, when Kratos made his bloody portable debut with Chains of Olympus, he received a system to go right alongside him, a beautifully red-shaded system packed in with a copy of the game and a copy of the movie Superbad for only around $180. Not a bad deal, and many fans picked up on it. However, if you missed out, don’t worry. Sony’s planning an all-new bundle to go along with Ghost of Sparta when it releases in November. And, yes, it’s mostly red, too. Bring on the blood!

Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Bundle

Bring on the Warfare! To celebrate the iconic release of the latest Call of Duty game for Xbox 360, Microsoft prepped a special edition console with military print on the body, along with two black Xbox 360 controllers, a copy of the game, a headset and a whopping 250 GB hard drive (now an industry standard) for $399.99. Fans flocked to it immediately, making Modern Warfare 2 one of the biggest sellers of all time. Frankly, we’re surprised that Microsoft’s not doing it again this year with Black Ops. Hmmm, it must be pushing to get Halo: Reach units out the door.

Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 Bundle

In June 2008, Konami was pushing the release of the revolutionary Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, big time. So much, in fact, it teamed up with Sony to produce an 80 GB PlayStation 3 gunmetal console, packed in with a copy of the game, for around $500 (!). Fans picked it up almost immediately, due to its very limited production numbers and glossy finish. You can still find one today, but, similar to most of the rare special edition consoles out there, you’ll be paying out the nose for it. Is Snake really worth that much to you? Your call.

The Simpsons Movie Xbox 360 system

To commemorate the release of The Simpsons Movie into theaters, Microsoft prepped a limited edition Xbox 360 console featuring the top of Homer Simpson’s head, along with an image of the logo and a bright yellow paint job on both the system and the controller. It became a real hot commodity, since it was sold in very limited numbers—only 100 were made. Sure, it didn’t include a copy of the game, but it’s still a must among avid Simpsons fans. If you somehow missed out…d’oh!

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep PSP system

Finally, we have this awesome Square Enix-powered collectible, a cool Kingdom Hearts system that comes with a Mystic Silver-colored system, a copy of the game, a free downloadable movie of your choice and a 4 GB Memory Stick Pro for around $199.99. That’s an outstanding deal for fans of the ongoing role-playing series, and the best part is, you can still track one down in stores now. Do it before the demand overpowers the supply and you’ll find yourself yearning for one later. C’mon, Mickey Mouse would want you to have one.

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Quantum Theory Video Game Lands You in the Future

The Quantum Theory Video Game Has What it Takes to Prove Those Skills

If you're looking for a really good shooter, 3rd- person action video game, just hang around until November 16, 2010, and you'll surely see it. That's the projected release date for Quantum Theory, a video game that takes you into the future with excellent results in the game- playing experience. Published by Tecmo Koel America, and developed by Tecmo for the, PS3 and XB360, gaming systems, this game is rated 'M' for adult players only. In a brief future, a bio- mechanical nightmare tower looms over a post- apocolyptic landscape, and Sid, a gruff warrior, seems to be the candidate to take on the task of killing this threat to humanity. He meets a mysterious woman named Felina, who turns out to be a highly effective ally. Filled with good graphics and action, this game also features an online multi- player mode that has yet to be determined as to its added dimension to this already- enthralling game.

As my friends over at GameTrailers give this game a score of 7.8- good- I can see that even getting higher as the game becomes more available, nearing it's release date in November. So, why not take a step into the future with Sid and Felina, as the near- future date for Quantum Theory approaches, I'm sure that all of humanity will thank you for it.

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