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Speak Up: How Have You Been Affected by Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:31:00 PDT

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, but I know for many of you, you don't stop thinking about breast cancer when the month of October draws to an end. It's disheartening that breast cancer is so prevalent, and I'm sure every one of you knows someone who's been diagnosed, has recovered, or lost the battle against this horrible disease. Many of you have stories to share, and by letting others know it increases awareness about breast cancer and connects us in some way. For me, knowing that I'm not the only one with close friends affected by this disease makes it a little more bearable. So tell me, how have you been touched by breast cancer?

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Fabworthy: Dogeared "Find a Cure" Necklace

FabSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:00:22 PDT

Almost every necklace Dogeared creates, I fall in love with. I can't resist how delicate and understated they are.

The latest one, this Dogeared "Find A Cure" Ribbon Charm Necklace ($26), arrives at an opportune time: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of the profits goes to organizations that help the lives of those affected by the illness. It would make a sweet gift for anyone, whether or not their lives have been affected by breast cancer.

Think Before You Pink, Says Advocacy Group

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:00:50 PDT

If you've shopped at all this month, you've likely come across dozens (if not hundreds) of pink-ribbon products. These items raise money for various breast cancer research groups; Estee Lauder alone is donating $500,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation this year. But with all of the pink-ribboned offerings, how can you choose wisely?

The people behind health-advocacy group Breast Cancer Action are going strong with their Think Before You Pink project, which wants shoppers to think twice before buying these items - particularly when it comes to cosmetic products, as the group believes that some ingredients in cosmetics are carcinogenic. In a thought-provoking interview, Breast Cancer Action Communications Director Richard Leiter touches on the group's goals.

Do you think companies behind these products are sincere about fighting breast cancer, or is this just a way for some of them to look charitable and improve their image while raking in profits?
We have no way to evaluate the motivations of any cause-marketer except to look at the nature of their contribution. Is the mechanism for contributing transparent? Is the total contribution substantial? Do they make it easy for consumers to see where the dollars are actually going? If a company is contributing a very small portion of their sales, then they're probably more interested in profits than progress.

Who are some of the worst “pinkwashers” in the cosmetics industry, and why?
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics publishes a list of cosmetics companies who have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. Currently, none of the major cosmetics companies - including Avon, Revlon, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay - have signed the compact. And these four all engage in pink-ribbon marketing.

To find out which companies the campaign does like,

read more. If shoppers wish to support breast cancer research, how should they approach pink-ribbon products? We urge shoppers to examine each product to make sure that a sufficient percentage of the purchase price does indeed go to breast cancer research (or services, or education or treatment - which all require funds.) Even more importantly, they should make sure that the pink-ribbon products they support don't cause breast cancer. Within the beauty/cosmetics industry, which BCA products get the thumbs-up? Our Think Before You Pink website lists companies who have gone paraben-free. We think that's a good start. What are some of the successes the campaign has had? What would you like to see in the future? The "Think Before You Pink" campaign led to the California Safe Cosmetics Bill in 2004, encouraged Avon to begin reformulating some of its products, and most recently focused considerable consumer attention on Yoplait yogurt's "pinkwashing". They require you to eat a hundred containers of yogurt and mail in the lids just to contribute 10 bucks. Doesn't it make more sense just to send a check? A greater worry: Yoplait is made from milk that comes from rBGH-injected cows. rBGH has been linked to breast cancer and other cancers. We'd like to see General Mills join Wal-Mart, Starbucks and all of Europe in using rBGH-free dairy. One more result: We've seen other breast cancer groups begin to urge their membership to ask tough questions of manufacturers and demand transparency. Let me play devil’s advocate: Isn’t it better for some money to be donated to breast cancer groups than to have none donated at all? Individuals and corporations will continue to donate to breast cancer. It might actually be better for that money to be donated directly to the most promising research and most needed services - rather than allowing a marketing department, which may not be fully informed or motivated, to make that choice. Another danger in feel-good cause-marketing is that consumers may get the impression the breast cancer is cured or almost cured and that's far from the truth. The end to the epidemic will come only when profound environmental and societal shifts occur. The jury is out on whether phthalates and parabens are causational, correlative, or unrelated to the development of cancer. Why should women be concerned if the evidence isn’t completely in? The stakes are so high - and the consumer alternatives are so abundant. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry?

Fact or Fiction: Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:00 PDT

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let's see what you know about this deadly disease. I've listed some statements about breast cancer. You decide which ones are fact and which ones are fiction.

Question 1 of 8

Men can get breast cancer.

Simply Fab: Be Splendid and Support Breast Cancer

FabSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:00:22 PDT

Be splendid and support breast cancer in this cute polka-dot pink tank. For every purchase, Splendid, in conjunction with The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, will donate $5 to the Breast Cancer Awareness fund.

Proceeds will help fund research to prevent and cure breast cancer. This sweet tank makes for great loungewear and is only available this month, so nab one today! Tanks are available nationwide at Barneys, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue and splendid.com

Shower Clock Prevents Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:00:00 PDT

OK, well, maybe it doesn't scientifically prevent breast cancer cells from forming, but what it does do is remind you to do your monthly breast exams. We all know we should be doing them religiously so that we know instantly if something doesn't feel right, but it can be tough to remember every month. So the Cue Shower Clock ($25) does the remembering for you.

It suctions to the wall of your shower and all you do is set the clock to remind you seven days after your period, or if you don't have one you can choose the same day every month. I love that it can also remind you when it's time to go for your annual exam. The clock can work for up to four users, so if you live with other women or have daughters, you can encourage them to get in the habit, too.

Do you have a less techy way to remind yourself to do your self-breast exam. If so, share it below.

Last Chance to Win a $500 Breast Cancer Donation in Your Name!

DearSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:00:00 PDT

As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I'm thrilled to offer you a chance to win a wonderful prize for a great cause: a $500 donation in your name to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation. Since breast cancer doesn't discriminate, it's important for all of us to educate ourselves and do our part to raise awareness and support to help fight this disease.

To test your knowledge and learn some helpful information about breast cancer, take my quiz below. One lucky reader will win a $500 dollar donation in her name to the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member, and you must log in before taking the quiz. If you're not already a member, register here for an account. One quiz entry per person, as all repeat quizzes will be ignored. The contest is open to US residents only and ends Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Click here for official rules. Enjoy and good luck!

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Take the Quiz

Does Eating Soy Cause Breast Cancer?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT

I will admit that soy scares me a little. I know it's an inexpensive, cholesterol-free source of protein that can be enjoyed in so many ways from tofu, to soymilk, from edamame, to soy ice cream. I've also heard that eating too much soy has been linked to breast cancer. That's because soy contains phytoestrogens, a group of chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen. Women need estrogen to regulate their menstrual cycles, have babies, and it's also involved with bone and heart health. Some experts are concerned that these phytoestrogens will stimulate the growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers since high exposures of estrogen over a woman's lifetime are linked with an increased risk for breast cancer. Others may argue that these plant-based estrogens may actually prevent breast cancer since they block the activity of the stronger human estrogen.

So what's a soy lover to do? To find out

read more. A recent Japanese study found that there could be a potential benefit to eating soybean products for breast cancer prevention. This was just a single study conducted with 4,000 women, but definitely a great start to help figure out the connection between soy and breast cancer. I'm not quite convinced yet though since there's no clear evidence that the phytoestrogens in soy products cause or prevent breast cancer. I'm going to stick with what the experts are suggesting, and just enjoy soy products in moderation.

TLC = Touch Look Check

FitSugar — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The more I write about breast cancer, the more I realize the face of the disease is getting younger and younger. Women under 30 are regularly diagnosed with breast cancer – it is no longer a post menopausal disease. I just found the Canadian organization Rethink Breast Cancer. Their focus is not only fundraising for research, but creating awareness about the disease, and their target demographic is women under 40.

As a fundraising event RBC just hosted The Boobyball and on October 26 they are hosting the Rethink Romp in Calgary. If the events were as fun as their names, I am sure they raised a lot of dough.

Here is a PSA they have produced to remind you to check your girls. It will definitely give you a feel for the organization.

Remember: TLC = Touch. Look. Check. When was the last time you did a self-breast exam?

TV Tonight: Living Proof on Lifetime

BuzzSugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:30:04 PDT

Raising awareness and funds when it comes to fighting breast cancer is only half the battle. Tonight's TV movie on Lifetime, Living Proof, shows that for the doctors and scientists working on a cure, the fight has just begun.

Starring Harry Connick Jr., Living Proof "is the true story of oncologist and researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon, the UCLA doctor who helped develop the breast cancer drug Herceptin, and his effort to keep the drug trials afloat."

Based on the clips I've watched, Dr. Slamon faced down messy politics and sacrificed a great deal to help women suffering from breast cancer, so it seems like an inspiring true story to air during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The movie also stars Bernadette Peters, Amanda Bynes, Angie Harmon, Swoosie Kurtz, Tammy Blanchard and Regina King, and Renée Zellweger is one of the executive producers.

Below I've included some preview clips, including a chat with Connick Jr. about the film and a taste of an original song he wrote for this project. Living Proof airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. (but check your local listings). To see the clips,