If you are in New Hampshire Southern New Hampshire University is hosting a "Think Pink" event with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society.
I will not be able to attend because I will still be mending from my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. If you love basketball and want a fun day out with the family or you want to support cancer awareness put on your favorite pink item and cheer for Southern New Hampshire University Women's Basketball Team! If you do not have anything pink there will be "think pink" T-shirts for sale.

Remember early detection can save you life!

Patty Matthews

I read this article today and found it very interesting and thought I would share it. Click here to go to the web site.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Not only does hormone replacement therapy raise the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, it really raises the risk of a specific type of malignancy: lobular breast cancer.

The study is one of the largest to focus on lobular cancer, which accounts for about 15 percent of all cancers. Ductal cancer is the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for 70 percent of all cases, according to the study.

"We found that women who were using combined estrogen and progestin hormone therapy had a nearly 300 percent increased risk in their risk of lobular, but only a 40 percent increase in their risk of ductal cancer," said study author Dr. Christopher I. Li, an associate member in the epidemiology program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. "There is clear, strong, consistent evidence that using combined estrogen and progestin hormone therapy increases a woman's risk of breast cancer. It is less well known how these hormones influence risk of different types of breast cancer."

"This is basically another confirmation of previous information," added Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. "People who take combined estrogen and progestin are running a significant risk of cancer and heart disease. They really need to know that."

Others, however, downplayed the results.

"I'm a bit underwhelmed with this article," said Dr. Steven Goldstein, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and author of The Estrogen Alternative and Could It Be Perimenopause?. "Nothing in this paper is new as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't change the current recommendations which are that we should use hormone therapy in 1) the lowest effective dose; 2) for the shortest period of time possible; and 3) consistent with patient treatment goals with reevaluation periodically."

Previous studies, namely the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), found that combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy increased the risk of breast cancer. Further studies have indicated that the risk is greater with lobular carcinoma than with ductal carcinoma, but these studies have not been definitive.

Lobular cancer develops in the areas of the breast that contain milk-producing glands and is more likely to be estrogen-receptor positive and therefore responsive to targeted treatments, resulting in an 11 percent lower risk of death when compared with its ductal counterpart.

Ductal cancer develops in the ducts that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple and is more difficult to detect.

The rates of both invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal-lobular cancer (IDLC) increased 52 percent and 96 percent, respectively, from 1987 to 1999 in the United States. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) increased only 3 percent during the same period, according to the study.

Since the WHI results were announced in 2003 and 2004, HRT use has declined 38 percent to 68 percent in the United States. Nevertheless, some 57 million prescriptions for postmenopausal HRT are still filled each year, according to the study.

Li and colleagues looked at more than 1,500 postmenopausal women, 1,044 with breast cancer and 469 controls. Among the women with breast cancer, 324 had lobular cancer, 196 had mixed ductal-lobular cancer, and 524 had ductal cancer. The women were 55 to 74 years of age and had been diagnosed between 2000 and 2004.

Women currently using combined hormone therapy had a 2.7-fold increased risk of lobular cancer and a 3.3-fold increased risk of mixed ductal-lobular cancer. The increased risk was seen only in women who had used combined HRT for three or more years.

In women who had mixed cancers, HRT increased the risk of tumors that were primarily lobular but not those that were primarily ductal in nature. Current use of combined HRT was associated with about double the risk of tumors that were mostly lobular (although this was not considered statistically significant), about a fivefold increased risk of mostly ductal, and a 7.7-fold increased risk in tumors that were mixed in features.

Like the WHI, this study did not show an increased risk of breast cancer in women who were taking estrogen-only hormone therapy (only recommended for women who have had a hysterectomy).

Amanda Gardner U.S News and World Report (2007) Retrieved on February 16, 2007 from www.health.usnews.com

I spend a lot of time thinking about breast cancer fundraising because I know that is the fastest road to a cure. And a cure is what all of us who've been touched by breast cancer in any way are working and fighting for.

The Young Survival Coalition has come up with a very unique and pop cultural way of raising fund for breast cancer. Here is their latest endeavor:

Designers from Bravo's hit reality show Project Runway will be challenged to create a winning outfit from whatever they can grab in five minutes at Hershey's Times Square. Due to YSC's partnership with Hershey, Project Runway and the world's elite chocolate maker are collaborating and will donate the proceeds of this week's episode to the YSC. The designs can be seen on Hershey's Project Runway page or on the Project Runway website.

Details on viewing and bidding on these unique creations will be available soon at www.youngsurvival.org and at www.bravotv.com.

You can watch the "Eye Candy" challenge from Project Runway Season 4 at bravotv.com. Upcoming show times on Bravo TV include:

• Sunday, January 6th: Noon and 2:00 a.m.

• Monday, January 7th: 9:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, January 8th: Noon, 1:00 a.m.

• Wednesday, January 9th: 9:00 (immediately preceeding next week's new episode

"Eye Candy" will be shown throughout the season; see the Project Runway schedule for complete broadcast information.

This sounds like fun. I'll definitely be watching!

Most people that know me will describe me as a generous person. And when it comes to breast cancer causes, I give not just money but my time and spirit. I guess part of me feels like the more I give, the closer we can get to a cure.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do my homework. Charitynavigator.com is a site I use often to help me decide which organization I want to partner with. And I am so excited, thrilled even, to know how my contribution makes a difference.

With that perspective, you can imagine my elation upon reading about the Young Survival Coalition's achievements this year, whose core mission is to increase the quality and quantity of life for young women affected by breast cancer. Let me share some of it with you:

• Co-hosted, with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the 7th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, bringing together more than 800 young women diagnosed with breast cancer

• Distributed 5,000 ResourceLink Guidebooks to young women diagnosed with breast cancer, providing them with valuable information and hundreds of resources at their finger tips

• Launched the Spanish version of www.youngsurvival.org

• Organized the first annual retreat for young women living with Stage IV breast cancer, giving them critical peer support and information on living with breast cancer as a chronic disease

• Provided young women diagnosed with breast cancer with peer support matches through our Point of Contact program

• Increased the reach of our website by 10%, with more than 1,700 visits a day and more than 80,000 visits per month

• Delivered 1,000 Newly Diagnosed Kits to young women diagnosed with breast cancer through our grassroots affiliate and community volunteer group program

Wow – I LOVE knowing how my contribution has helped achieve results! It inspires me, as I sit down to formulate my giving strategy. And to inspire me further, the YSC arms me with additional information:

• Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15-54.¹

• More than 16,000 women under age 45 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.²

• The five-year relative survival rate for women under 40 when diagnosed is 82%, lower than the 89% for women diagnosed at age 40 and older.³

¹ NCI Fact Book 2006

²American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2007-08

³American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2007-08

Helping me understand what has been done and then what is left to be done gets my attention. Making it easy for me to understand how to impact the future gets my attention as well:

Your $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 donation will allow the YSC to continue to be the voice for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. You will help the YSC ensure that no young women feel isolated or alone, and they receive the needed peer support, information and resources to best navigate their breast cancer experience.

Showing your support has never been easier. Make your donation today by visiting www.youngsurvival.org or calling us at (646) 257-3000 , and we will be more than happy to assist you over the phone.

So whether it's this particular appeal that gets your attention, or another equally well crafted appeal, please let part of your giving strategy include addressing breast cancer's cure as you consider your year end giving strategy.

Thank you!

Christmas is approaching quickly. One spirit of the holidays can be to provide the opportunity to give a life-changing gift. The Avon Foundation offers a Registry Tribute Fund which allows you to create your own Avon Breast Cancer Crusade or Speak Out Against Domestic Violence fund-raising web page.

This is a wonderful opportunity to have your loved ones make a donation in Lieu of receiving gifts, allows you to tell your story and why you are supporting the cause and increases the power of awareness. In the United State another person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes. I have been struck with breast cancer twice in my life and I am only 37. Breast cancer is a fight I will continue to battle with emotionally, physically and proactively to help find a cure for this horrible disease.

Give your friends and family the opportunity to change lives and contribute to a cause close to your heart. You can be proud to know that the money raised will make a difference and support the Avon Foundation's mission of improving the lives of women and their families by eradicating breast cancer and ending domestic violence.

Take Care Patty

I was told tonight that I have cancer again! This is the second time I heard those nasty words. I had a mammogram in June and was told everything was okay see you in a year. A week ago I had a lumpectomy to remove a mass on my left breast. My surgeon is going to schedule my mastectomy after the holidays. I am going to have my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery done at the same time again. I felt that because I had cancer once that I would never have to go through it again. I felt invincible. I guess I will be going through many different emotions but I think the second time around is harder for me. I know I will survive and am very lucky to have wonderful, caring, loving parents and friends who will hold my hand every step of the way. I want to thank everyone for supporting me and am very blessed to have you in my life. This is a picture of my beautiful daughter Mary who wanted a pink stripe in her hair to support and find a cure for breast cancer! She is one awesome kid.

Take Care, Patty Matthews

By now you know there's little I won't do to help advance a cure for breast cancer. I just completed a rigorous and invigorating five day course called Project LEAD, conducted by the NBCC, which I'll write about soon.

Of all the things I have done, I've always wanted to do something physical and challenging, not just the National Race for the Cure. I started looking into the various walks and thought about doing one, but it was always something that took a priority over clearing my life for such a big commitment. The idea of a multi-day walk seems doable on paper. I can walk the distance, just don't ask me to run it.

Living in Washington, DC , we often are lucky to get many events through our city. A few years ago, we even had the choice of two breast cancer walks, one to benefit and one for Komen. For some reason, Susan G. Komen for the Cure pulled their 3 day event after the first year, much to the dismay of many of us.

I'm so excited to share that Komen has reconsidered and is now returning the Breast Cancer 3 Day to Washington, DC in October, 2008. I'm so thrilled that I'm signing up and participating!

I was encouraged to learn that although it's a 3 day walk of 20 miles a day, there is so much support by the company that stages the event. There is training, a single site for sleeping and eating and lots of pre-event interaction. I can't wait to experience it first hand.

Who will join me??

I found this article about breast cancer research and how the Avon foundation is spending the money we all raise to help in fight to find a cure for breast cancer.

"Eighteen scientists investigating novel means for primary prevention of breast cancer by studying the natural impact of pregnancy on breast tissue met at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston on Monday, November 12, 2007 to share interim findings. All are part of the unique Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Prevention Research Initiative, one of many Avon Foundation funded programs seeking new directions in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure."

I often wondered if my pregnancy had anything to do with my breast cancer diagnosis. I was 31 years old when I had my daughter Mary and was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. I know my body went through a tremendous physical change when I was pregnant. I do not have any family history and was wondering if it was a hormonal in balance due to my pregnancy. I am glad that there has been different types of studies done to help better understand breast cancer. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer has helped me physically, emotionally and to make sure that the money I have raised is going to help in finding a cure. I hope you find this article informative and educational.

With two children under the age of five, clothes shopping has taken a bit of a back seat in my life. Unless a retailer gets my attention by supporting breast cancer research and saluting survivors. Enter Ann Taylor.

October four years ago, I was asked to emcee the premier invitation only event called "Ann Taylor's Salute to Survivors" held as a Susan G. Komen for the Cure fundraiser. Not sure what to expect but always happy to volunteer for anything breast cancer-related any way I can, I immediately agreed. I arrived at the Washington DC store as directed to find a series of Ann Taylor outfits to select and a professional hair and make up artists to get me show ready. Turns out I was emceeing a fashion show of Ann Taylor's clothes modeled by survivors. And each and every one of us was being waited on hand and foot, with catered food floating by on beautiful trays and the Ann Taylor staff taking on the role of maids in waiting for us.

A bit of encouraging news about the great strides being made on the cancer research front is that there are now over 10 million cancer survivors – at least that's what I heard Lance Armstrong say on Meet the Press earlier this year. And every one of those cancer survivors, regardless of what type of cancer they've had, shares one common concern – quality of life – short, medium and long term.

Let's face it. No matter how strong you are, how much support you get and how awesome your self-esteem is, if you told me that your self-image doesn't take a hit after dealing with breast cancer, I wouldn't believe you. Well, the wonderful people at Ann Taylor know that and decided to dedicate an event each month to kick off their breast cancer awareness activities and make us all feel so incredibly beautiful and awesome. And each year since, Ann Taylor has raised their own bar on the program and the ways in which they raise funds.

Survivor models: Ellen Brewer, Patti Brownstein, Katie Garlock, Marianne Gearhart, Andrea Gill, Kathryn Loftis, Diane Mathis, Jane Shepard, Madeline Simpson, Susan Sonley, Beth Swanson, Jessica Tanner.

Stephanie Trachtenberg manages Ann Taylor's charitable initiatives. When I called her to thank her for another over the top evening, I asked her for more information on the charitable initiatives that Ann Taylor pursues. Turns out that the company doesn't just support breast cancer – but the things they're doing for breast cancer, both research and survivor quality of life intrigued me.

Ann Taylor has a partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Get this. There is an Ann Cares card that can be purchased for $25 that entitles the bearer to a 15% discount through the end of the year. All the net proceeds from the card go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and for every $250,000 raised, a scientist is funded through the BCRF for breast cancer research for a year. Ann Taylor initially committed to a minimum of one researcher. This year they've already funded four BCRF researchers! They essentially doubled the amount of funds raised from last year. I'll bet they do it again next year (yes, that's a personal challenge from me to Ann Taylor).

Shopping my way to a cure with Ann Taylor. Now THAT gets my attention.

You've seen it. You might even have used it. I do – on everything I mail. It's the Breast Cancer stamp. And it's going away by the end of the year unless the Senate votes to reauthorize it.

The House already reauthorized the mighty stamp until 2011, thanks to the efforts of Rep. William Lacy Clay of Missouri.

It's a little champion, that stamp. Consider this:

• Issued in July of 1998, it has become the top-selling commemorative stamp in history with almost 800 million.

• The stamp sells for 55 cents and the net proceeds are directed to federal breast cancer research.

• By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised from the stamp goes to the National Institutes of Health, and 30 percent goes to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense for breast cancer research grants.

• To date, the stamp has raised more than $58 million for breast cancer research!

Source – Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Take the time to write to your senator and remind them how valuable this stamp is to breast cancer research and ultimately, a cure. Every penny matters and 5.8 billion of them is a lot for a colorful little stamp. Let's help that number continue to go up until we've done our job and there is a cure.

We can all participate in this every time we mail something. And as an added benefit, the stamp survives all the postal rate hikes, eliminating the need to keep track each time there is an upward adjustment.

Sometimes, being small makes you a giant!

One of the most exciting things about the Internet is how it's leveled the playing field in so many areas. Front and center is how it's poised to affect the next election. Of particular interest for anyone who has been affected by breast cancer (or any other type of cancer or illness), health care has become one of the key issues the candidates are being asked to address.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) recently held a Presidential Cancer Forum, where the candidates that participated had an opportunity to showcase their position on cancer treatment and prevention. Thanks to these extensive efforts by the LAF, cancer issues will remain at the forefront along the path to the White House.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has taken this level of advocacy even a step further and asked the candidates to outline their positions specifically on breast cancer. The NBCC has identified four key issues that are front and center for a breast cancer victory:

1. Guaranteed access to quality health care for all

2. Department of Defense dollars to support breast cancer research

3. A national strategy to study the role of the environment in the development of breast cancer

4. Treatment for uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer

This is where you come in. If you've been affected by breast cancer, either as a survivor, a co-survivor, a family member, a friend, or anyone special in your life, you need to go to www.breastcancercaucus.org to listen to the videos and cast your vote.

Voting closes Friday, act now!

Breast cancer can bring out so many different emotions such as anger, frustration, pity just to name a few. Replacing the awful feelings that breast cancer can give a person can easily be replaced with good and positive outcomes. I was recently reading an article about hypnosis before a breast cancer patient has surgery on the American Cancer Society web site. It explained that women can have fewer side effects after surgery with hypnosis. In my opinion any type of noninvasive procedure that could help and lower side effects of surgery sign me up. Explore all the opportunities that are out there for breast cancer patients. There are many different treatment options and exploring those options can help breast cancer patients ease the pain and help control all the emotional roller coasters that a cancer patients will go through. What are some of the treatment options you have used?

First lady Laura Bush has visited 68 countries during her husband's presidency, but in some ways, her trip to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, may be her most urgent and personal trip yet.

Bush's trip is aimed at raising awareness in the Middle East about breast cancer - a disease both her grandmother and mother had. Neither woman died of the disease - Bush's mother is still alive and in good health - but the first lady has worked on breast cancer issues for many years.

Read more about Laura Bush's thoughts on global breast cancer awareness.

What do you think about the First Lady's effort to raise breast cancer awareness in the Middle East? Do you think she can begin working to help remove the taboo of breast cancer in Middle Eastern countries?

Tell us your thoughts.

Meet breast cancer survivors from around the world.

A recent study shows that yoga can significantly improve the quality of life and well-being of women with breast cancer -- particularly those who are not taking chemotherapy. The study included 128 women, and the researchers randomly assigned half to a 12-week yoga program, while the other half were in a control group waiting list.

The classes were offered three times a week, and patients were encouraged to take at least one class a week. This wasn't a typical yoga class. The sequencing of postures was designed specifically to benefit those with breast cancer. During the study, the women doing yoga showed improvement in their quality of life, and in their spiritual, emotional and social well-being. The more classes they attended, the better they felt.

The benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, improved muscle tone and in many cases, a heightened sense of well-being.

Do you practice yoga? Do you agree with the study? What exercise makes you feel the best?