In 2009, it is estimated by the American Cancer Society that 192,370
women and 1,910 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While this
news is terrifying, major technological advancements and increased
awareness of the disease will help to save thousands of lives.
For those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, there is no time better than October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to support loved ones who are or have been touched by the disease.
Taking place on October 24 is the Fifth Annual To Life! Pink Ball located at the Saratoga City Center. All of the funds raised stay in the area and go to support local breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. The proceeds support the following services: free comprehensive educational forums on the latest treatment and trends in breast cancer, awareness, connection and education support groups held in Delmar and Saratoga Springs, mentoring services in which a newly diagnosed women is linked with a breast cancer survivor who provides guidance and support through their breast cancer journey with emotional supports and tips on day-to-day coping; wellness from within activities and workshops including activities that complement medical care and support health and well being; and free "breast health workshops" to area agencies and businesses, where presentations are held on breast self-examination, prevention strategies and general women's health discussions. To register for the To Life! Pink Ball, visit www.tolife.org or call (518) 439-5975. Ticket prices range from $115 per person to $300 per couple or a table for 10 for $1,000.
On October 18, the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides" walk against breast cancer will take place in Albany's Washington Park. The event is a noncompetitive three-to-five mile walk with no registration fee or fundraising minimum. The walk simply strives to raise awareness of breast cancer and celebrate those who have battled the disease. In 2008, the walk drew 600,000 walkers across the country and raised more than $60 million for research into causes and cures. Registration for Albany's event begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 12 p.m.
The weekend of October 10, Galway resident and owner of Village Pizzeria Sandy Foster will be heading down to Manhattan to take place in the annual Avon Breast Cancer Walk, a 38-mile walk through the streets of the city to remember those who lost the battle to breast cancer and to celebrate survivors. Foster, and eight-year survivor herself, has raised $21,000 for the walk through fundraisers and wine tastings at the restaurant.
"During the 38 miles we will walk, talk, laugh, cry and share stories, walk in memory of loved ones who lost the battle and in support of those fighting the disease and in celebration of those who survived," Foster said. "I am grateful to make the journey every year to raise money to find a cure and help underprivileged women afford treatment."
In last year's Avon Breast Cancer Walk, more than 4,500 people participated in the Manhattan walk. There are various other walks throughout the country to raise money for this important cause.
Women of all ages should perform self-breast exams at least once a month to monitor their own health before beginning annual mammograms at the age of 40. Women who have more than one immediate relative with a history of breast cancer, any blood relative who has had breast cancer before the age of 50 or who have previously had radiation to the chest area are encouraged to get mammograms before the age of 40. With rising costs of health care in the United States and more people being uninsured today than ever before, Saratoga Hospital's Wilton Medical Arts Center offers free breast cancer screenings every Monday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Two times per year, the Wilton Medical Arts Center hosts a Breast Health Screening Day on October 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the uninsured, complete with a breast health awareness class with food, entertainment and medical professionals on hand to take blood pressure and cholesterol readings as well as dieticians to discuss healthy eating habits and the relation to breast cancer.
"We host our breast cancer screening days in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a really nice day for women to come out and do something good for themselves," said Breast Health Nurse Diane Young. "This is an important day because most women who don't have insurance simply won't get screened, and getting screened is too important to ignore."
Breast cancer can occur anywhere in the breast, even in males. Some signs to watch for include: a lump or thickening of an area of the breast, skin dimpling or puckering, an inverted nipple that hasn't always been that way, discharge from the nipples or any change in shape, texture or color of the skin on the breast or nipple. There are also factors that could increase the change of an occurrence of breast cancer, including: beginning menstruation at an early age, going through menopause at a late age, having no children, having a first pregnancy after the age of 30, gaining weight and drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
The Breast Health Center at Wilton Medical Arts has the proper technology to offer screenings at times that are convenient for those who work, and can have same-day results. Breast Health Nurse Diane Young said she is available to all breast cancer patients from diagnosis to recovery.
"I always make myself available to my patients, and make sure I speak with them face-to-face when giving them news if they need follow-up care," she said. "Most women who need biopsies have benign results, but on the off chance that it is cancer, they need the proper support."
To schedule an appointment for Breast Health Screening Day, call (518) 580-2132.
For those who wish to show their support of people who are fighting breast cancer, Simplicity, A Salon is offering a fundraiser called "Show that You Care. Wear Pink in Your Hair," in which patrons can have pink temporary hair extensions placed in their hair for $10 per strand.
"We have gone through cancer with many of our clients. This disease is very close to a lot of hearts, so we felt we had to do something as well," said owner Tina Briscoe. All of the proceeds of this fundraiser go to support Gilda's Club, a breast cancer foundation. It is Briscoe's goal to raise at least $1,000 for the cause.
"We really feel that this is a great cause to raise awareness and money for. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought there was no better time than now," she said.
Taking place on October 24 is the Fifth Annual To Life! Pink Ball located at the Saratoga City Center. All of the funds raised stay in the area and go to support local breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. The proceeds support the following services: free comprehensive educational forums on the latest treatment and trends in breast cancer, awareness, connection and education support groups held in Delmar and Saratoga Springs, mentoring services in which a newly diagnosed women is linked with a breast cancer survivor who provides guidance and support through their breast cancer journey with emotional supports and tips on day-to-day coping; wellness from within activities and workshops including activities that complement medical care and support health and well being; and free "breast health workshops" to area agencies and businesses, where presentations are held on breast self-examination, prevention strategies and general women's health discussions. To register for the To Life! Pink Ball, visit www.tolife.org or call (518) 439-5975. Ticket prices range from $115 per person to $300 per couple or a table for 10 for $1,000.
On October 18, the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides" walk against breast cancer will take place in Albany's Washington Park. The event is a noncompetitive three-to-five mile walk with no registration fee or fundraising minimum. The walk simply strives to raise awareness of breast cancer and celebrate those who have battled the disease. In 2008, the walk drew 600,000 walkers across the country and raised more than $60 million for research into causes and cures. Registration for Albany's event begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 12 p.m.
The weekend of October 10, Galway resident and owner of Village Pizzeria Sandy Foster will be heading down to Manhattan to take place in the annual Avon Breast Cancer Walk, a 38-mile walk through the streets of the city to remember those who lost the battle to breast cancer and to celebrate survivors. Foster, and eight-year survivor herself, has raised $21,000 for the walk through fundraisers and wine tastings at the restaurant.
"During the 38 miles we will walk, talk, laugh, cry and share stories, walk in memory of loved ones who lost the battle and in support of those fighting the disease and in celebration of those who survived," Foster said. "I am grateful to make the journey every year to raise money to find a cure and help underprivileged women afford treatment."
In last year's Avon Breast Cancer Walk, more than 4,500 people participated in the Manhattan walk. There are various other walks throughout the country to raise money for this important cause.
Women of all ages should perform self-breast exams at least once a month to monitor their own health before beginning annual mammograms at the age of 40. Women who have more than one immediate relative with a history of breast cancer, any blood relative who has had breast cancer before the age of 50 or who have previously had radiation to the chest area are encouraged to get mammograms before the age of 40. With rising costs of health care in the United States and more people being uninsured today than ever before, Saratoga Hospital's Wilton Medical Arts Center offers free breast cancer screenings every Monday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Two times per year, the Wilton Medical Arts Center hosts a Breast Health Screening Day on October 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the uninsured, complete with a breast health awareness class with food, entertainment and medical professionals on hand to take blood pressure and cholesterol readings as well as dieticians to discuss healthy eating habits and the relation to breast cancer.
"We host our breast cancer screening days in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a really nice day for women to come out and do something good for themselves," said Breast Health Nurse Diane Young. "This is an important day because most women who don't have insurance simply won't get screened, and getting screened is too important to ignore."
Breast cancer can occur anywhere in the breast, even in males. Some signs to watch for include: a lump or thickening of an area of the breast, skin dimpling or puckering, an inverted nipple that hasn't always been that way, discharge from the nipples or any change in shape, texture or color of the skin on the breast or nipple. There are also factors that could increase the change of an occurrence of breast cancer, including: beginning menstruation at an early age, going through menopause at a late age, having no children, having a first pregnancy after the age of 30, gaining weight and drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
The Breast Health Center at Wilton Medical Arts has the proper technology to offer screenings at times that are convenient for those who work, and can have same-day results. Breast Health Nurse Diane Young said she is available to all breast cancer patients from diagnosis to recovery.
"I always make myself available to my patients, and make sure I speak with them face-to-face when giving them news if they need follow-up care," she said. "Most women who need biopsies have benign results, but on the off chance that it is cancer, they need the proper support."
To schedule an appointment for Breast Health Screening Day, call (518) 580-2132.
For those who wish to show their support of people who are fighting breast cancer, Simplicity, A Salon is offering a fundraiser called "Show that You Care. Wear Pink in Your Hair," in which patrons can have pink temporary hair extensions placed in their hair for $10 per strand.
"We have gone through cancer with many of our clients. This disease is very close to a lot of hearts, so we felt we had to do something as well," said owner Tina Briscoe. All of the proceeds of this fundraiser go to support Gilda's Club, a breast cancer foundation. It is Briscoe's goal to raise at least $1,000 for the cause.
"We really feel that this is a great cause to raise awareness and money for. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought there was no better time than now," she said.
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