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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Four Hundred Natural Therapies for breast cancer

Yes! You heard right cancer has more than four hundred natural remedies that has been used by millions of people to beat cancer, if I may ask what is wrong about one using natural foods, fruits, vitamins and a lot of other in expensive and readily available substance and ingredients in reversing, stopping or preventing cancer.

Why is it that most of us don't want to hear anything about alternative treatments? A times when we do, it is only when the conventional medicine has passed death sentence on us; it is only then we turn to alternative treatment grudgingly and a times by then we are weak and fragile without determination or faith to fight cancer.

Make hare white the sum shines, if you or your loved one is diagnosed of cancer, the first thing to do is to summon up courage, refuse to be devastated or depressed, know that you are not the first to pass through this road, others have and they are living evidence of people who has beaten cancer, go ahead and find out how they did it, and how do you find out? Of course, by searching for information, the whole world is now a global village and there are thousands of books on the subject of cancer.

Do your own diligent search, read as much cancer books as you can, this will enable you make informed decisions, from informed choices.

Many are of the opinion that the cancer Establishments is designed to protect the monetary interests of Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery, so all you need to do is keep an open mind about all the natural options or alternatives open to you.

The advice I have to give you is that you should not surrender your independent thinking, you have to reason things out and take your own independent decisions. Keep in contact with other patients,or survivors, better, there's need for networking with cancer survivors.

Get in touch with genuine cancer researchers and seek out positive opinions. Read and read and read, there are more than 10,000 books an the subject of cancer, look for some relevant ones to your situation, not knowing where to get some good cancer books, you can look up:

you can also read the articles "Cancer Therapies That Works" in the blog.

Try to find out how others cured their cancer, and remember, what worked for me, may not work for you due to differences in our genetic make up.

Go ahead! Take Control of your own health. No one on earth has more interest in your well-being than yourself, you got to take control of our own destiny and not leave it in the hands of those with vested interest.

Mine is to give you the privilege of having access to informed choices or options, while yours is to make informed and tested decisions that will survive the test of time.

Cheers! As you try to make up your mind to beat cancer.

Remain blessed

Dr. Chukwu Innocent O.

http://www.allspiritualsolutions.com

Make hare while the sun shines, if you or your loved one is diagnosed of cancer, the first thing to do is to summon up courage, refuse to be devastated or depressed, know that you are not the first to pass this road, others have and they are living evidence of people who beat cancer, go ahead and find out how they did it, and how do you find out? Of course by searching for information, the whole world is now a global village and there are thousands of books on the subject of cancer.
http://www.homeofallspiritualsolutions.blogspot.com you can also read the articles "Cancer Therapies That Works" in the blog...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chukwuh_Innocent

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Are There Foods To Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is contracted by more women in the US than any other cancer. It is estimated that around 50,000 women will die each year from it. So the question how can you prevent breast cancer is one close to the heart of many women.

It has long been known that certain foods, or that a diet in general, can have an impact on our health, and so for that reason there has been study undertaken on foods to prevent breast cancer, as well as other cancers.

And whilst there may well be a whole range of lifestyle factors which may combine to affect our health, today our brief is to look at foods that prevent breast cancer, or at least help prevent it.

A study published in September of this year in the International Journal of Cancer examines the role of the essential fatty acids in preventing cancer of the breasts.

Around 72,000 Chinese women were followed for a period of 8 years to collect the data for the study.

The conclusion was that women with a high intake of Omega 6 fatty acids, and a low intake of Omega 3 fatty acids, were roughly twice as likely to contract breast cancer as those with a low intake of Omega 6 fats and a higher intake of Omega3 fats.

Omega 6 fats come primarily from vegetable oils in our diet. These are the cheap and plentiful vegetable oils that are found in our pantry for cooking as well as in much of our processed foods.

Omega 3 fats come primarily from seafood and in particular from the oil in fish.

Over the last century our Omega 6/Omega 3 ratio, or the ratio of our intake of each of these fatty acids, has seen a huge increase, resulting from the fact that our diet has seen a massive increase in cheap vegetable oils and a massive decrease in seafood and in particular oily fish.

And scientists have long considered that this change in the ratio is the cause, or at least a contributing factor, in a range of lifestyle diseases.

And it now seems, from the results of the study, that Omega 3 essential fatty acids could be essential foods that prevent breast cancer, when taken in conjunction with a reduction in the intake of various vegetable oils.

The question of how to prevent breast cancer is a complex one, and this is probably only one part of the equation. But it seems clear, not just in regard to this cancer, but for cancer generally, that there are certain foods which, if eaten in greater quantities, can help prevent cancer, and others which should be reduced in the diet.

The best way to increase your intake of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids is to take daily fish oil supplements. High quality fish oil supplements are very cost-effective to take daily and are free from the toxic contaminants commonly found in fish, including dioxins and PCBs.

But not all fish oil supplements are high quality.

To find out more about foods to prevent breast cancer, or to learn more about high quality fish oil supplements visit my website.

Want to find high quality Omega 3 supplements? Or do you want to learn more about getting foods to prevent breast cancer? Visit Peter's Website Healthy Omega 3 Fish Oil.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh

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3 Healthy Habits Reduce Breast Cancer

Even if you have a close relative with breast cancer you'll want to know about the results of a new study. It appears you can reduce breast cancer risk by sticking to three simple habits - being physically active, keeping your weight under control and drinking in moderation, if at all - are keys to protecting yourself.

Even if you have a family history, these three behaviors were found to lower your risk, compared to women who don't do these things.

The team wanted to examine the effects of lifestyle habits on breast cancer risks in an effort to show those with a strong family history of the disease that there were things they could do to impact their own risk.

The team analyzed data on women aged 50-79 from the Women's Health Initiative study that began in 1993. During 5.4 years of follow up, just under 2000 of those women were diagnosed with invasive cancer of the breast. Women were excluded from the study who had a personal history of breast cancer, or who had a family history of early onset cancer (before age 45) so the team could look at the impact of lifestyle factors on cancer risk.

Following all three healthy habits brought down risk of cancer of the breast for women with, and without, a late onset family history. If you had a family history yet did all three of the healthy habits, six out of every 1,000 women would get breast cancer in a year. In contrast, about 7 of every 1,000 women developed breast cancer each year if they had a late onset family history but did none of the three healthy behaviors.

If a woman didn't have a family history, and still followed all three healthy habits, about 3.5 of every 1,000 were diagnosed with breast cancer each year, compared to almost 4.6 per 1,000 per year for those who didn't have the history and followed none of the good-for-you behaviors.

For the study, regular physical activity was 20 minutes of heart rate raising exercise at least five times each week. Moderate alcohol intake was considered less than one drink each day. Body weight was measured according to body mass index (BMI), with anything from 18.5 to under 25 being considered a healthy weight.

The good news for anyone with a strong family history of this devastating disease is that you can do something to reduce your own risk. You don't have to follow in family members' footsteps... this research shows it's up to you, and what you do for your body.

It seems any woman can reduce breast cancer risk by keeping herself at a healthy weight, being active (45 to 60 minutes of intentional activity per day) on a regular basis, and keeping your intake of alcohol in check.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from Daily Health Bulletin and click the link now to discover more on reducing breast cancer risk through natural means.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker

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Eat as many fruits and vegetables and prevent breast cancer

To get rid of the breast cancer, we should be health conscious, knowing all the do's and don'ts in our health is really a good help. Given below are the steps in getting rid of this kind of disease.

· Healthy body weight maintenance, your body mass index (BMI) should be less than 25 all through your life. The independency of the body mass index has been shown importantly in increasing the risk of breast cancer. And in addition to this, the elevated BMI has been certain to increase the post menopausal breast cancer risk.

· Reduce or avoid alcohol. The use of alcohol is the most well determined risk of dietary factor for breast cancer. It is said in the research that if you consume more than one alcoholic beverage a day, the risk of breast cancer may increase by as much as 20 - 25%.

· Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eating 7 or more servings daily is a good habit. Bear in mind that the cruciferous vegetables are the best cancer protection, this vegetables includes broccoli, cabbage, sprouted Brussels, cauliflower. And also the dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collards. And as well as the tomatoes and carrots. The fruit includes berries, cherries, and citrus. And take note that it is best to eat the cruciferous vegetables lightly cooked or raw, because some of the phytochemicals that are believed to offer protection against breast cancers are heat destroyed.

· Exercise regularly. Regular exercise is the best key that provides protection that is a powerful protection against breast cancer. A 30 minute or more average aerobic activity for 5 or more days a week is a good thing to do. The consistency and the duration are the key, not the intensity.

· Right Fat diet. Your diet fat type can affect your risk of breast cancer. Reduce your consumption of the mega 6 fats, such as corn, sunflower, cottonseed oils and safflowers. Also the saturated fats and the Trans fats. But put in mind that taking in more of the omega 3 fats especially those from the oily fishes like salmon, tuna mackerel, sardines and lake trout is good. Also, consume a monounsaturated oils like the canola, olive oil, nuts/ seeds and avocados, and let these be your source of primary fat because these types of foods has a potential properties of anti-cancer. The good source of omega 3 fats is the canola oil, a potent source of antioxidant polyphenols that includes squalene is the extra olive oil. Also, nuts and seeds provide you with the selenium, the cancer protective mineral.

· Right carb intake, lessen your consumption of the high glycemic index or the great white hazards, these are the white flour, white potatoes, white rice, sugar and of the other products containing such. These foods can trigger a hormonal change that promotes cellular breasts tissues' growth. Instead, replace this wrong carbohydrates with beans/legumes and whole grains. This is because of the high fiber that the beans/legumes give the body.

· Eat whole soya food products often such as tofu, roasted soy nuts, soy milk and miso, because these reduce the risk of breast cancer.

E. Carla d.G. Mangila

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erlinda_Carla_B._De_Guzman-Mangila

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What will you be wearing for Wear it Pink day next year

What will you be wearing for Wear it Pink day next year? With 2010's occasion well over a calendar month old now, you'll have quite a long time for you to gear up for next year's fun.

A pink wig is an good strategy to complete your all pink ensemble or just to put on on its own, in case you don't have plenty of pink clothes to go for the head to toe style.

For the fellas we've got something that will offer you a funky look directly out from the 1970's. The 70's Afro wig is shocking pink in colour and would not look out of place in any fashionable discotheque world wide.

Add some stylish shades and you'll appear every inch the fashionable, seventy's gentleman. It will be like you just stepped out of a catalogue!

For ladies who need to have pink hair for a day, there is certainly lots of choice on offer. Do you fancy some thing sleek and sexy or bright and sparkly? We will take a look at some different products for the two styles and you'll be able to choose the one which best suits your entire costume.

The Babe Wig is a smooth bob style, in a soft pink colour. The wig has a well defined fringe that frames your face nicely and is ideal for any fashion conscious wig wearers out there!

The Babe Wig is ideal for either a modern dress or if you're going to be wearing Sixties fashion fancy dress. It is a popular product and for under a £10.00, great value for money.

One more very stylish hair piece in the vital pink hue is the Cheerleader Wig. It is the same shade of pink as the Babe wig but is shoulder length. The same defined fringe is still present, but this wigs flowing locks are perfect for anyone who wants to swish their hair shampoo advert style in the office on Wear it Pink day.

A wig with a little bit more pizazz and extra fun factor is the Pink Metallic Cyber Tinsel Wig. The wig is in a bob style with fringe and is made from metallic strips of pink tinsel. It's a real eye catcher and glints and shines as you move around and the light catches it.

It can be an excellent accompaniment to fancy dress or if you would like to make sure you stand out. If you are fundraising in a office then it will definitely grab people's interest - we couldn't say for sure that it's going to help raise your total, nonetheless it couldn't hurt!

Hopefully these wigs should complete off your outfit and at the very minimum offer you a number of ideas about the varieties of pink wigs it is possible to buy to add to your garb for the day.

You might want to take into consideration a few other accessories for making you a little different on the day and there are loads of pink themed merchandise to choose from.

How about some pink fairy wings or even a feather boa? Or you could possibly look at a pink cowboy hat to sit on top of your wig - nobody could say you weren't pink enough with all these extras!

There are even products to help you express your support in a more business-like manner if dressing down is not an option - bear in mind some Neon pink braces - ideal for a business woman with a full day of meetings ahead.

Pink Party Props donates 10% of all sales to the Wear it Pink day campaign.

Go to their webpage and choose from a superb range of pink accessories ideally suited for you to wear and show your support for the breast cancer campaign.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garfield_Andrews

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A Focus on Prevention best cancer

According to the Center for Disease Control, "Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women." Nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be reported this year. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and results in 500,000 deaths every year. The more developed the country, the greater the incidence of breast cancer.

Since 1960, approximately one million women-double the number of Americans (male and female) who died in World Wars I & II, and in the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars combined-have died from breast cancer.

Unfortunately, breast cancer screening and prevention leaves something to be desired as mammograms, thermography and self-examinations statistically don't fare very well. The best way to be safe is to focus on true prevention which can be done safely and effectively. It's hard to believe that 1/3 of Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime and that statistic is rapidly increasing. Risk factors for breast cancer include:

* Conventional hormone replacement therapy
* Birth control pills
* Alcohol
* Not having children or having your first child after the age of 35
* Menstrual periods before 12 or menopause after 55
* Hair Dyes
* Underarm Deodorants
* Vitamin D Deficiency
* Radiation exposure
* Tobacco
* High fat diet
* Dense breasts
* Overweight
* Toxic chemical exposure
* Xenohormones - plastics, pesticides etc.
* Antioxidant deficiencies
* Silicon implants
* High blood pressure medication

According to the world-renowned and brilliant immunologist Dr. Aristo Vojdani, "You and I can be exposed to exactly the same amount of chemicals and our response will differ, perhaps by a hundred fold. Therefore, carcinogenic agents in the environment are more harmful to certain members of society than others who are similarly exposed and significant gains in cancer prevention will come only from ensuring that these more vulnerable people are protected. It has been estimated that in the absence of environmental exposure to toxic chemicals, cancer incidence would be reduced by 90%.

Prevention of cancer is the best treatment, avoiding even 20% of cases in the U.S. Would translate into more than 270,000 people spared from the disease." I hope this illustrates how important it is to avoid products that contain chemicals including skin care, make-up, bathing supplies, dental products etc. Many people go about their daily lives using toxic chemicals on themselves and in their homes completely unaware of the devastating effects they have on the human body. Visit the Environmental Working Groups cosmetic database to see the potential toxicity of the products you are using.

Let's discuss what actually causes cancer. This has been known for quite some time yet it has been ignored due to a long and dirty money trail. Cancer is the most profitable disease in the history of the world so it is very difficult to make inroads with traditional medicine. Cancer is basically a deficiency of DNA repair enzymes due to an intracellular antioxidant deficit and/or insufficient immune system function. This basically means that your cells can no longer repair themselves resulting in mutation. A cancer cell was basically a normal cell that could not be controlled by your immune system. Cancer cells thrive in an anaerobic metabolism meaning they do not require oxygen whereas healthy cells thrive in an oxygen-rich metabolism. We all have cancer cells in us right now but our immune system metabolizes them because we are healthy and have a surplus of antioxidants.

The first test you should have done is a hormone profile that measures the estrogen metabolites 2, 4 and 16 hydroxyestrogens. This will give you your 2:16 ratio which is a risk factor for estrogen dependent breast cancers. If the ratio is off, there are simple steps you can take to optimize your estrogen metabolism. The first is to eat 3 servings of cruciferous vegetables every week. These include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbage to name a few. These contain the compounds indole-3-carbinol and diindolelylmethane or "DIM" which optimize estrogen metabolism. Obesity is a factor in estrogen metabolism as the more body fat a woman has, the more imbalanced her estrogen metabolism will be to the more toxic estrogen metabolites. Essential fatty acids from fish oil such as EPA and DHA will help healthy estrogen metabolism. And lastly, toxic chemicals such as pesticides that accumulate in the body from conventional food will result in unhealthy estrogen metabolism. Seasonal detoxification/cleansing programs will rid your body of these chemicals and this is one more reason to eat organic foods. The hormone profile will also give you progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, all 3 estrogens and cortisol levels all of which interact in their own unique way.

The second thing you can do to prevent breast cancer is to be evaluated for iodine deficiency. Iodine is a vital nutrient for the health of not only the thyroid, but the breast as well. In fact, when you ingest iodine the body prioritizes all that the thyroid needs and anything left over goes directly to the breast. Iodine works in two ways to prevent breast cancer: It directly destroys breast cancer cells. It optimizes estrogen metabolism shunting the more potent estradiol and estrone to the weaker, yet more protective estriol. You may have an iodine deficiency if you have any of the following symptoms or diseases:

* Fatigue
* Cold hands and feet
* Fibrocystic breasts (lumps or lumpy breasts)
* Hair loss
* Constipation
* Depression
* Heartburn
* Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
* Uterine Fibroids
* Endometriosis
* Dry skin, nails and hair
* Any and all thyroid disorders
* Prostate problems (let's include the guys here since 2% of all breast cancers occur in men)

It's important that you are sure you do not have autoimmune thyroid disease before supplementing with iodine as it can potentially make this condition worse. The form of iodine to ingest is extremely important as well. Iodine supplements come in the form of iodide and iodine. Iodide mainly fortifies the thyroid gland and iodine the breast. It's best to take a compound of both of these types of iodine. I use drops and capsules depending on the patient and the dose needed.

I have written extensively on Vitamin D and it's connection to nearly all types of cancer. There are many, many papers that have been published connecting vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer. Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin but a pro-hormone produced when sunlight contacts your skin. 93% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D so there is a good chance you are as well. Unless you are getting 30 minutes of sunshine on your entire body every day, you are probably deficient. There is no way to get enough vitamin D from food so you must supplement. I test almost every patient for vitamin D in our basic work up and you should be tested as well. Don't rely on the laboratory ranges to gauge your optimal levels. I like to see vitamin D levels between 50 and 100 as opposed to the lab range which states you are sufficient if your levels are greater than 32. I recommend 2-10,000IU/day depending on the patient as each person has different requirements. Make sure your vitamin D supplement also has vitamin K in it and that you also take vitamin A because vitamin D supplementation can cause deficiencies in these fat-soluble vitamins.

Antioxidants come in many forms and are best taken in combination instead of in isolation. EGCG (green tea extract) has been shown to directly inhibit breast cancer cell growth. Resveratrol which is the red pigment found in red grapes has been shown to inhibit breast cancer cell metastasis. When EGCG and curcumin were combined they actually directly inhibited breast tumor cell growth. Diindolylmethane (DIM) as mentioned previously not only enhances healthy estrogen metabolism, but it also inhibits breast cancer cell growth. Coenzyme Q10 is an intracellular antioxidant that has been shown to inhibit breast cancer cell growth. CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and is important for energy production and DNA repair. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to inhibit the growth of all forms of cancer including the breast. It is extremely important that you take vitamin E in the form of "mixed tocopherols." If your supplement just says, "alpha tocopherol" then you may actually increase your risk of cancer. So many supplements only contain this form and millions of Americans are ingesting it unknowingly. Other antioxidants to choose from include quercitin, vitamin C, vitamin A, alpha lipoic acid, selenium, ginger, grape seed extract and melatonin.

A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006 found that the fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid or "CLA" found in beef directly inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells. I need to make a very important point on meat and breast cancer. Conventional meat is loaded with hormones, toxins and pesticides that significantly contribute to cancer cell growth. Whatever you do, avoid conventional meat like the plague. Grass-fed beef that is free-range and organic does not contain these harmful compounds and it is loaded with CLA. CLA is a potent anti-cancer fatty acid and will also increase your muscle mass and decrease your body fat. Grass-fed beef also contains quite a bit of CoQ10, vitamin A, B-vitamins and essential minerals such as selenium, zinc and magnesium. Grass-fed beef actually has the same essential fatty acids as fish called EPA and DHA which provide all the benefits we read so much about from fish consumption and fish oil supplementation. Remember, it is conventional meat that you must avoid at all costs and not organic, grass-fed, free-range meat. Vegetarians are fine continuing their avoidance of meat.

Lastly, you should be following an alkaline-forming diet which as you know, if you are a patient of mine, this is a fundamental of health that we should all adhere to. An alkaline-forming diet is a diet rich in buffering minerals magnesium and potassium. Alkaline-forming foods are plant-based including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lentils, legumes etc. Your diet should consist of 60-80% alkaline-forming foods and the other 20-40% can be acid-forming. Acid-forming foods are meat, dairy, and grains. You can test your first morning urine with pH paper looking for the optimum range of 6.4-7.5. Cancer cells have a difficult time surviving in an alkaline pH so maintaining an alkaline-state will give you excellent protection from developing cancer.

In conclusion, since 90% of cancer can be avoided by the avoidance of toxins in our environment, it's so important to take a look at your own environmental space. Make changes to non-toxic products when you can. Exercising 3 days/week has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. Optimize your vitamin D levels and get evaluated for iodine need. Use some of the antioxidants mentioned in this article for extra protection. If you have a family history of breast cancer then get your hormone levels checked to see if you are at risk. I recommend doing a cleanse at least twice a year to rid your body of excess toxins that may have built up in your system. Alkalize your body and if you need resources for this we have an eBook called the Alkaline Way which we can provide for you at your convenience. I hope this helps you have a clearer picture on the causes of breast cancer and how to prevent it!

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg is a holistic physician specializing in thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, allergies, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders and fibromyalgia. His truly unique and innovative practice is in Asheville, NC where patients travel from all over the world to seek his services. Dr. Hedberg uses state-of-the-art scientific laboratory diagnostic testing to uncover the underlying causes of disease. He utilizes a variety of natural medicines, nutrition and lifestyle modifications to correct the imbalances found on testing. His goal with each patient is to find the underlying cause, correct it without harmful drugs and teach each patient how to maintain an optimal state of health and well-being. Dr. Hedberg has appeared on television, radio and has been published in many journals, magazines and newspapers distributed all over the world. To find out more visit http://www.drhedberg.com or call 828-687-2344.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikolas_Hedberg

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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Early detection is key

Harris, CEO of the Rural Health Group, shared his story during the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month observance held at The Centre on the campus of Halifax Community College Tuesday. The event had a health fair and several other activities. “It is our responsibility to our wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and friends to get the message out,” he said.

Harris said he lost his mother to “this awful disease.” “And it is not just women who have a responsibility,” he said. “We men have a responsibility to get the message out there. Breast cancer should not kill anymore. Please get the message out.”

The event was sponsored by the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, Carolina Community Network and Halifax Community College. Contributors included Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Lake Gaston Area Chapter of LINKS Inc., Belk Department Store at Premiere Landing and the HCC Student Government Association.

Patricia J. Peele, health education coordinator for the Rural Health Group, said there was a two fold purpose for the event. “We are trying to create awareness for the early detection of breast cancer and to celebrate survivorship,” Peele said.

She noted it is a known fact with early detection, survival rate for breast cancer is 98 to 100 percent. “We hope to create awareness and get people involved,” Peele said.

In his welcome on behalf of HCC, Dr. Stanley Edwards, chair of the HCC board of trustees, said he has had friends and relatives who have suffered from breast cancer.

“I applaud the Rural Health Group for what they are doing across the county,” he said. “The information given is prolonging lives.”

Halifax County Manager Tony Brown presented a proclamation on behalf of the county commissioners. Since last year’s program, he said, he had a new experience. About two months ago, a male friend of his had undergone treatment for breast cancer. “I had never met a male who had breast cancer,” Brown said. “It affects men as well and it is just as terrifying.” He urged males to also get checked as well.

Dr. Carolyn Smart, mistress of ceremony for the event, noted breast cancer does not discriminate. “It’s male or female,” she said. “It’s young and old. It’s black and white. There is no one person that is breast cancer is more friends with than another.”

Everyone was told to stand and walk past a mirror set up by the stage. As the Michael Jackson’s song “Man in the Mirror” played those in attendance walked past the mirror. “As you look in the mirror, you are looking at the face of breast cancer in the room,” Smart said. “The change starts with the man in the mirror. You can no longer wait for someone else to tell you what to do.”

During the Bells of Remembrance Ceremony, three lay health advisors lit candles and rang bells. “It is our hope as a result of today’s effort the lives of many women and men are spared,” said Doris Davis.

Three candles were lit by Charlene Brown, Dorothy Cannon and Damion Jones. The first candle lit by Brown was to let those in attendance be reminded about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Cannon’s candle was for the survivors of breast cancer. And the third candle lit by Jones was for the family members of those who had lost the fight.

Sharon D. Jefferson, of Littleton, won the card design contest. Her card, which on the outside reads “You’ve traveled the road to a successful healing.” The card was on the display for all to see at the event. On the inside, it says “You went the distance. I knew in my heart you could do it. You taught me the strategies of being a winner; I’m so thankful and proud to have you in my life.”

Her inspiration for the card came from her aunt, who is a breast cancer survivor. “I wanted to make a card to heal someone and let them know they have made it,” she said.

It only took her one night to design and come up with the words of the song.

Peele presented two area organizations with community health service awards. The first went to the Gregory B. Davis Foundation and the Halifax County Branch of the National Association of University Women.

N.C. House of Rep. Angela Bryant congratulated all of the groups involved in putting together with the event. “I am so proud of the work being done in our region,” she said.

She encouraged everyone to do what they could for breast cancer awareness at a personal level. Bryant said she would be starting with herself. She had put off having a mammograms three times because of her busy schedule.

“If others of you are busy or doing things for others,” she said. “We all need to make a commitment to make sure we get the screenings we need.”

After the program, a 300 balloon release for raising awareness was held, afterwards a survivor reception ensued.
http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2009/10/21/news/doc4adf45a751246116717027.txt

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