Stay Informed: Recent News

Toxic Flame Retardants Are Hidden and Harmful

May 20, 2011 -- Parenting. It’s the hardest job I have ever had. From the minute my children were born, I took on the responsibility of keeping them safe. While I was still pregnant, I painstakingly researched the perfect stroller, the safest car seat, the best high chair. The list went on and on.

 

Guest Blog: Cancer & Communication Break Down

May 5, 2011 - When my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, 1995, she was told she had less than 6 months to live. She had an aggressive form of lobular cancer, and 14 out of 16 lymph nodes tested contained cancer cells. It had spread to her bones. The prognosis was not good; my Mom was going to die. Somehow though, through sheer will and determination on her part, she defied the odds and lived – quite well, I might add - for close to 13 years with the disease.

I was 24 years old when she was diagnosed and living about 1000 miles away. All I knew was what she and my Dad would tell me: that she had breast cancer. I did not know the extent of how seriously ill she was. I had no ideas she was Stage 4. I had no idea her doctors told her to go home, get her affairs in order and spend time with her family. I found out these things close to 13 years later, after my Mom had written a book about her journey with breast cancer.

Defend What’s Yours

April 22, 2011 -- Just in time for Earth Day, I saw a very interesting commercial. It starts like this… a beautiful couple is standing on an equally beautiful, lush lawn. The wife teases her husband for not properly caring for their lawn last year. The weed killer he used also killed the grass, she complains. The husband promises he has learned from his mistakes. He bought a new pesticide that will kill the weeds without killing the grass. Problem solved! The perfect couple smiles and hugs on their perfect lawn.

Just in time for Earth Day, I saw a very interesting commercial.  It starts like this… a beautiful couple is standing on an equally beautiful, lush lawn.   The wife teases her husband for not properly caring for their lawn last year.  The weed killer he used also killed the grass, she complains. The husband promises he has learned from his mistakes.  He bought a new pesticide that will kill the weeds without killing the grass.  Problem solved!  The perfect couple smiles and hugs on their perfect lawn.   

To Post or Not to Post

April 4, 2011 -- There is no doubt that social media has changed the cancer community forever. Sites like Facebook and Twitter have given cancer organizations powerful, targeted tools for online fundraising and awareness campaigns – leading to millions of dollars raised and people reached. But, how does social media impact the lives of those living with cancer and the friends and family they connect with online?

In the past, women diagnosed with cancer relied on their real-world social networks to find others in their situation.  Since the explosion of social media outlets, they can now gather on websites and forums to share experiences, seek advice and support.  Women diagnosed today can research their disease anytime of the day or night and gather the information they need from people around the world to make important decisions much faster than before.  It's pretty amazing.

Toxic Chemicals and Cancer: It's Time to Take Action

February 2011 -- At Women’s Cancer Action, we have always spoken out about the strong link between toxic chemicals and cancer. In this country, we are constantly exposed to toxic products in our homes, workplaces and communities. Chemicals are found in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. Many of these toxins are carcinogens, or cancer-causing, and they put us all at risk.

An average of 23,650 Minnesotans are diagnosed with cancer each year.  More than 9,000 die annually from cancer in this state.   These numbers are overwhelming, especially when you consider that many of these cancers are not genetically inherited.  For example, 90 to 95% of those diagnosed with breast cancer in this country do not have a mother or sister with the disease.  We have to ask ourselves, could it be the chemicals in our every day lives?

Women's Cancer Action: A Year in Review!

December 2010 -- It’s been an exciting year for Women’s Cancer Action! We have seen the dream of restarting our organization become a reality! We launched a website, created a social networking presence on Twitter and Facebook, and gave new life to our two support programs, Caring Hands Touch and Kindred Spirits.

In the first part of 2010, we thoughtfully created our new home: womenscanceraction.org. Our dedicated Board of Directors worked to build a website where women could find comfort and support, ask questions, find answers and take the next step in their cancer journey. In the spirit of the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Women’s Cancer Action aimed to share our combined knowledge of cancer resources with those in need of assistance.

The Times They Are a Changin’

October 2010 -- Now that October is nearing an end, it’s time to reflect on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, this candy-coated movement seems to grow bigger and more out of control. This year in particular, it hit rock bottom, with Kentucky Fried Chicken painting it’s iconic red bucket pink, in the name of breast cancer awareness.

With the KFC bucket, however, came a tipping point.   Even as the White House lit up pink, I read more articles than ever about the misguided efforts of this movement.  I think women are finally realizing that wearing or buying pink isn’t saving them, their family members or their friends from breast cancer; it’s not explaining why they got the disease in the first place and it’s not preventing more cancers than it did 30 years ago when it began.

Talking to Young Kids About Your Cancer Diagnosis

Sept 2010 -- It’s a conversation no parent ever wants to have. It’s certainly not one that you’ve considered before the moment of your diagnosis. But one of the first things that any parent who is diagnosed with cancer thinks about is: “How in the world will I tell my kids?”

The answer is as personal and unique as you are.  Some parents are natural communicators; others are more reserved.  The following are a few ideas to help steer you in the right direction during a time when words are often hard to find.

Let your children know that cancer is not contagious.  Thankfully.  They can give kisses and hold hands and hug just like always.   In fact, there’s no better time to be loving.

Recommendations for Breast Cancer Screening Updated

August 2, 2010 -- There was a great deal of publicity, controversy and strong reactions from cancer providers and organizations when the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPS Task Force) revised its 2002 breast cancer screening recommendations this past year.

The USPS Task Force, a government-appointed, independent body, assessed the risks and benefits of screening mammography. In doing so, the Task Force found that the risks of mammography, including radiation, unnecessary tests, false positives and false negatives, outweighed the benefits for women age 40-49.  Therefore, they do not recommend that everyone in this age group be routinely screened and recommend delaying this testing until age 50. The Task Force also recommends that post-menopausal women have screening every two years, rather than annually.

Safer Chemical Healthy Families Video Exposes Toxic Chemical Lobby's Efforts to Derail Reform

July 21, 2010 -- BPA, Petrochemicals, Phthalates. They're all exposed in a new video just released by Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. Watch and learn how the toxic chemical lobby is trying to dupe congress and the American public into passing meaningless chemical reform.

Don't be duped!  Visit Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and make your voice heard!