Finding breast cancer early is very important to the treatment that can save your life. Here is what the American Cancer Society recommends:
* Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 and continue for as long as you are in good health.
* Get a breast exam by a doctor about every 3 years if you are in your 20s and 30s, and every year if you are 40 or older.
* Know how your breasts look and feel and tell your doctor of any changes right away.
There are different ways of doing a breast exam. Here are some steps to assist in this process:
* Look at your breast while standing in front of a mirror. First look at your breasts with your arms by your side, then raise them over your head, and finally, press your hands on your hips and tighten your chest muscles.
* Look for any changes -- size, shape, contour, dimpling, rash, redness, or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin.
* Lie down on your back, put a pillow under your right shoulder, and place your right arm behind your head. Examine your left breast with your right hand and your right breast with your left hand by using the finger pads of the 3 middle fingers. Use overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the finger pads to feel the breast tissue.
* Use 3 levels of pressure to feel all of the breast tissue. Light pressure is needed to feel the tissue closest to the skin; medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and, firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs.
* Use an up-and-down pattern, starting at your underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the chest bone. Be sure to check the entire breast area going down below your breast until you feel your ribs and up to the neck or collar bone.
* Sit or stand and feel each underarm area. You should raise your arm slightly while checking.
When you first begin checking your breasts, it is hard to know what you are feeling. With practice, you will become familiar with your breasts. See your doctor if you notice any of the following: lump; hard knot; thickening; change in size of shape of the breast; dimpling or puckering of the skin; rash; redness; scaliness of the nipple or breast skin; nipple discharge that starts suddenly; or new pain that does not go away.
For more information, visit the American Cancer Society online at www.cancer.org.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
"SAVVY in the City" Women of Distinction Award Winners
Congratulations Women of Distinction award winners from Savvy in the City! This event was held May 6, 2011; a day to shop, talk, learn and laugh. Each of the winners have given back more than they have received. The categories were Savvy Business Woman, Savvy Inspirational Woman, Savvy Humanitarian, and Savvy Survivor.
The Savvy Survivor was sponsored by Underneath it All. The winner, Cassie Stech of Chaska, is a mom on a mission. At just 15 months old, her son Gavin Gilbertson was diagnosed with a case of spinal muscular atrophy. SMA destroys the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement, making it difficult for children like Gavin, who has Type II SMA, to ever crawl or walk. The life expectancy for children with SMA is not good. Most do not live past age 2. SMA can devastate a family. However, less than a month after his diagnosis, Cassie was done with the crying and ready to take action. Determined to give Gavin the best life possible, Stech mobilized family and friends to raise money for the MDA's Stride and Ride event in November 2010. They ended up being the top fundraising team at the event, raising $6,300 toward research and a cure.
The Savvy Humanitarian Woman was sponsored by Encore Consignment Boutique. The winner, Maura Steblay of Eden Prairie, always gives of her time and talent to others, including to her church, area schools, art, sports and humanities organizations and business and health organizations. Her list of volunteer activities is a mile long and ranges from serving as the co-founder of the Business Women's Circle, board member of the Hennepin County Library Foundation, president of the Friends of the Eden Prairie Library, coach of girls basketball and volleyball, liturgical minister at St. Hubert Church and former board member of the West Suburban Teen Clinic.
The Savvy Inspirational Woman was sponsored by Moms on the Run. The winner, Keila Rector of Eden Prairie, has been inspiring southwest metro residents to lose weight through her Eden Prairie Community Weight Loss Challenge classes. So far, she has helped her students lose more than 30,000 pounds. She helps them not only loss weight, but gain knowledge of proper nutrition to help them keep it off. Keila is active in the community and is a member of the Eden Prairie Lioness Club. Keila has said, "My mission is to help people have faith and belief in themselves so they can accomplish more than they ever thought possible!"
The Savvy Business Woman was sponsored by Chicks for a Cause. The winner, Shelli Nelson, began her health and wellness career in 1985 when she became a registered nurse. In both her professional and private life, she observed that traditional medicine and treatments too often failed. This frustration launched a 25-year quest for integrative methods of improving health--for herself and her patients. Shelli became totally blind at age 24 due to diabetes. The absence of visual distraction has enabled her to access her innate gifts and develop a way of perceiving that is highly accurate and profound. Shelli is the founder, president and lead teacher of Rukhar Academy of Healing Arts & Science. Throughout her careers she has created the first cardiac after-care program for Fairview Health Services; conducted the first clinical research study on energy healing that was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Minnesota; created a stress management program for vascular patients at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina; and successfully implemented energy healing treatments into mainstream care at Fairview Southdale Hospital.
Congratulations, Savvy Women of Distinction winners!
The Savvy Survivor was sponsored by Underneath it All. The winner, Cassie Stech of Chaska, is a mom on a mission. At just 15 months old, her son Gavin Gilbertson was diagnosed with a case of spinal muscular atrophy. SMA destroys the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement, making it difficult for children like Gavin, who has Type II SMA, to ever crawl or walk. The life expectancy for children with SMA is not good. Most do not live past age 2. SMA can devastate a family. However, less than a month after his diagnosis, Cassie was done with the crying and ready to take action. Determined to give Gavin the best life possible, Stech mobilized family and friends to raise money for the MDA's Stride and Ride event in November 2010. They ended up being the top fundraising team at the event, raising $6,300 toward research and a cure.
The Savvy Humanitarian Woman was sponsored by Encore Consignment Boutique. The winner, Maura Steblay of Eden Prairie, always gives of her time and talent to others, including to her church, area schools, art, sports and humanities organizations and business and health organizations. Her list of volunteer activities is a mile long and ranges from serving as the co-founder of the Business Women's Circle, board member of the Hennepin County Library Foundation, president of the Friends of the Eden Prairie Library, coach of girls basketball and volleyball, liturgical minister at St. Hubert Church and former board member of the West Suburban Teen Clinic.
The Savvy Inspirational Woman was sponsored by Moms on the Run. The winner, Keila Rector of Eden Prairie, has been inspiring southwest metro residents to lose weight through her Eden Prairie Community Weight Loss Challenge classes. So far, she has helped her students lose more than 30,000 pounds. She helps them not only loss weight, but gain knowledge of proper nutrition to help them keep it off. Keila is active in the community and is a member of the Eden Prairie Lioness Club. Keila has said, "My mission is to help people have faith and belief in themselves so they can accomplish more than they ever thought possible!"
The Savvy Business Woman was sponsored by Chicks for a Cause. The winner, Shelli Nelson, began her health and wellness career in 1985 when she became a registered nurse. In both her professional and private life, she observed that traditional medicine and treatments too often failed. This frustration launched a 25-year quest for integrative methods of improving health--for herself and her patients. Shelli became totally blind at age 24 due to diabetes. The absence of visual distraction has enabled her to access her innate gifts and develop a way of perceiving that is highly accurate and profound. Shelli is the founder, president and lead teacher of Rukhar Academy of Healing Arts & Science. Throughout her careers she has created the first cardiac after-care program for Fairview Health Services; conducted the first clinical research study on energy healing that was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Minnesota; created a stress management program for vascular patients at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina; and successfully implemented energy healing treatments into mainstream care at Fairview Southdale Hospital.
Congratulations, Savvy Women of Distinction winners!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Twin Cities Young Survivor's Breast Cancer Group
This group is dedicated to the unique issues of young survivors with breast cancer in their 20's, 30's, and 40's. Join them once a month on the 3rd Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:15pm for the meeting and social time.
The location for the meeting is at the Hope Lodge, located at 2500 University Avenue SE in Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414. This is several blocks from the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Free parking is available behind the Hope Lodge, and this is where you can enter the facility.
For the remainder of 2011 the following are the scheduled meeting dates: May 19th, June 16th, July 21st, August 18th, September 15th, October 20th, and November 17th. There will not be a meeting in December.
The facilitators are:
Susan Pappas-Varco, RN, MA--Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview 612-273-6434, spappas-varco@umphysicians.umn.edu
Ann Cummings, MSW, LICSW--Breast Cancer Program Social Worker, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview 612-273-2151, acummin2@fairview.org
The location for the meeting is at the Hope Lodge, located at 2500 University Avenue SE in Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414. This is several blocks from the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Free parking is available behind the Hope Lodge, and this is where you can enter the facility.
For the remainder of 2011 the following are the scheduled meeting dates: May 19th, June 16th, July 21st, August 18th, September 15th, October 20th, and November 17th. There will not be a meeting in December.
The facilitators are:
Susan Pappas-Varco, RN, MA--Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview 612-273-6434, spappas-varco@umphysicians.umn.edu
Ann Cummings, MSW, LICSW--Breast Cancer Program Social Worker, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview 612-273-2151, acummin2@fairview.org
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
New Product -- Anita Active Sports Bra
We now carry the Anita Active Sports Bra! This bra has been awarded the "red dot" seal of excellence for high design quality in 2011. Additionally, this new sports bra was listed by Oprah as one of the top twelve stylish and high-tech workout wear as seen in her January 2011 magazine.
The high level sports bra effectively supports athletes during high-intensity sports activities. The breathable high-tech fabric provides active sweat management as well as maximum support. Moisture is quickly absorbed and actively transported away from the body. Breathable microfiber and mesh side inserts keep the skin dry and guarantee maximum comfort.
Anita Active Sports Bras have outstanding functionality in comparison to other sports bras. Comprehensive tests guarantee an excellent fit and optimum support for all sports activities, even in the larger cup sizes.
Anita Active has developed a range of bras for Light, Medium and Extreme impact users and caters to sizes B through H. There should be something to suit every user!
Come and see our selection of Anita Active Sports Bras. We have one just waiting for you!
The high level sports bra effectively supports athletes during high-intensity sports activities. The breathable high-tech fabric provides active sweat management as well as maximum support. Moisture is quickly absorbed and actively transported away from the body. Breathable microfiber and mesh side inserts keep the skin dry and guarantee maximum comfort.
Anita Active Sports Bras have outstanding functionality in comparison to other sports bras. Comprehensive tests guarantee an excellent fit and optimum support for all sports activities, even in the larger cup sizes.
Anita Active has developed a range of bras for Light, Medium and Extreme impact users and caters to sizes B through H. There should be something to suit every user!
Come and see our selection of Anita Active Sports Bras. We have one just waiting for you!
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