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“MAKING CANCER SEXY”

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“MAKING CANCER SEXY”is a birthday celebration for Drexina Nelson and Demetria “SheDot” Hines as well as a FUNdraiser event supporting the participants of the Making Strides for Cancer Walk Saturday October 29, 2011 Atlanta, GA. Live entertainment, local personalities, the ambience of our exclusive venue location and supporters will gather to:
1. Raise awareness on the rising number of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer under age 35
2. Celebrate the true elements of sexy-STRENGTH DETERMINATION SURVIVORSHIP and so much more
3. Raise money for continued research and for local non-profit breast cancer support groups
4. Celebrate LIFE !!!
Beneficiaries of the event include Janae’ Veal who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2011 at the age of 30. “Making Cancer Sexy” is definitely what she does and Saturday, October 8, 2011 her platform will be shared charging all who attend to encourage and support our young women in the fight against breast cancer.

Dress Code is sophisticated and chic…pink is preferred but not required.

THE TWO DAY WALK IN SEPT!!!!!!! SIGN UP NOW

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2011 Hotel Reservations for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer are Open!!

This year’s host hotel for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is the Atlanta Marriott Marquis downtown. All 2-Day Walkers and Crew must make their own hotel reservations. Rooms are required to be occupied by at least two participants (2-Day Walkers or Crew). Rooms may have more than 2 roommates. Please include name(s) of your roommate(s) on your reservation. Only one roommate needs to make the reservation. If you would like to have a single room just make your reservation without listing a roommate and be sure to select the $75 supplement in the Weekend Event Planner available in July.
When booking your reservation, a credit card will be required. The credit card will not be charged unless you are staying Friday Night or Sunday Night, although it will give you a total including the amount for the Saturday reservation. Your card will not be charged for the Saturday Night stay, if you have registered as a 2-Day Walker or Crew. The discounted room rate is $113 (plus tax), if you are staying Friday or Sunday or if you are a Sunday Walker wanting to stay Saturday night. You can also make your reservations using the “2011 Hotel Reservation” tab connected to your personal page side bar under the “Walker Info” or “Crew Info” section. (You do not have to be logged into your person page to access this section.)
*If you are using a debit card when you check-in walk weekend, please be mindful that the hotel may hold $150 for the reservation. This is a standard practice for most hotels.
Address Change for Donations
Please mail your donations to:
It’s The Journey, Inc.
180 Allen Road NE
Suite 201 South
Atlanta, GA 30328
We will no longer be using our Post Office Box address as of
June 30, 2011.
Don’t Forget Walker Incentive Program:
For each of your B’Rest Friends who register for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for the first time, we’ll send you a $25 Gift Card as a special “thank you”! Just have each friend enter your name in the “Referred By” box when they register for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk at www.2daywalk.org. We will take care of the rest!* Refer a Sunday Only Walker and score a $10 gift card! Click link for the walker incentive flyer.

Posters are available!
If you would like some posters to hang at your favorite locations. please contact us at 404.531.4111 to make other arrangements to receive your brochures
Register today for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.
September 24-25, 2011 – Downtown Atlanta
Never will you take steps that go as far as the steps you’ll take in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. By joining the battle against breast cancer, you will be helping us in every aspect of that battle, from diagnosis and support, to treatment, education and patient advocacy.
All of the funds raised in Georgia, stay in Georgia.
30 miles. 2 days.
Walk. Sponsor. Volunteer.

BREAST CANCER FACTS

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BREAST CANCER FACTS

NEW CASES

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. The overall incidence rate of breast cancer is 10% lower in African American women than in white women. Among younger women (under age 40), however, the incidence is higher in African Americans than in whites. Breast cancer incidence rates increased rapidly among African American women during the 1980s, largely due to increased detection as the use of mammography screening increased (Figure 7). Incidence rates stabilized among African American women aged 50 and older during 1995-2005, while rates decreased by 0.7% per year among women under age 50 from 1991-2005.4

At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, which is why regular mammograms are so important. A woman’s best overall preventive health strategy is to reduce her known risk factors as much as possible by avoiding weight gain and obesity, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimizing alcohol intake.10 Women should consider the increased risk of breast cancer associated with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use when evaluating treatment options for menopausal symptoms. More information about breast cancer is available in the American Cancer Society publication Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, available online at www.cancer.org.

SURVIVAL

The 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed in 1996-2004 among African American women was 77%, compared to 90% among whites (Figure 5). This difference can be attributed to both later stage at detection and poorer stage-specific survival among African American women. Only about half (51%) of breast cancers diagnosed among African American women are diagnosed at a local stage, compared to 62% among white women (Figure 6). Within each stage, 5-year survival is also lower among African American women.

Studies have documented unequal receipt of prompt, high-quality treatment for African American women compared to white women.6, 13-15 There is also evidence that aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in African American than white women.16-18 Other studies suggest factors associated with socioeconomic status may influence the biologic behavior of breast cancer.19-21 Thomson and colleagues, studying an all white Scottish population, suggest that poor women with breast cancers are more likely to be diagnosed with estrogen receptor-negative tumors.22 Poverty likely influences disease pathology and genetic markers of disease through lifelong dietary and reproductive habits.

*ACS African American 2009-2010 Cancer Facts

DEATHS

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women, surpassed only by lung cancer. An estimated 6,020 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. Breast cancer death rates among African American women increased 1.5% annually from 1975- 1992 and declined thereafter. This decrease was larger in women under 50 (1.9% per year) than in women aged 50 and older (1.2%).4 The steady decline in overall female breast cancer mortality since the early 1990s has been attributed to improvements in both early detection and treatment.11,12 However, the decrease in breast cancer death rates has been smaller in African American than white women. During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were approximately equal, yet in the period 2001-2005, African American women had a 37% higher death rate than white women. This difference accounts for more than one-third (37%) of the overall cancer mortality disparity between African American and white women. The higher breast cancer mortality rate among African American women compared to white women occurs despite a lower incidence rate. Factors that contribute to the higher death rates among African American women include differences in access to and utilization of early detection and treatment and differences in tumor characteristics.

BREAST CANCER FACTS

NEW CASES

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. The overall incidence rate of breast cancer is 10% lower in African American women than in white women. Among younger women (under age 40), however, the incidence is higher in African Americans than in whites. Breast cancer incidence rates increased rapidly among African American women during the 1980s, largely due to increased detection as the use of mammography screening increased (Figure 7). Incidence rates stabilized among African American women aged 50 and older during 1995-2005, while rates decreased by 0.7% per year among women under age 50 from 1991-2005.4

At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, which is why regular mammograms are so important. A woman’s best overall preventive health strategy is to reduce her known risk factors as much as possible by avoiding weight gain and obesity, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimizing alcohol intake.10 Women should consider the increased risk of breast cancer associated with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use when evaluating treatment options for menopausal symptoms. More information about breast cancer is available in the American Cancer Society publication Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, available online at www.cancer.org.

SURVIVAL

The 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed in 1996-2004 among African American women was 77%, compared to 90% among whites (Figure 5). This difference can be attributed to both later stage at detection and poorer stage-specific survival among African American women. Only about half (51%) of breast cancers diagnosed among African American women are diagnosed at a local stage, compared to 62% among white women (Figure 6). Within each stage, 5-year survival is also lower among African American women.

Studies have documented unequal receipt of prompt, high-quality treatment for African American women compared to white women.6, 13-15 There is also evidence that aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in African American than white women.16-18 Other studies suggest factors associated with socioeconomic status may influence the biologic behavior of breast cancer.19-21 Thomson and colleagues, studying an all white Scottish population, suggest that poor women with breast cancers are more likely to be diagnosed with estrogen receptor-negative tumors.22 Poverty likely influences disease pathology and genetic markers of disease through lifelong dietary and reproductive habits.

*ACS African American 2009-2010 Cancer Facts

DEATHS

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women, surpassed only by lung cancer. An estimated 6,020 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. Breast cancer death rates among African American women increased 1.5% annually from 1975- 1992 and declined thereafter. This decrease was larger in women under 50 (1.9% per year) than in women aged 50 and older (1.2%).4 The steady decline in overall female breast cancer mortality since the early 1990s has been attributed to improvements in both early detection and treatment.11,12 However, the decrease in breast cancer death rates has been smaller in African American than white women. During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were approximately equal, yet in the period 2001-2005, African American women had a 37% higher death rate than white women. This difference accounts for more than one-third (37%) of the overall cancer mortality disparity between African American and white women. The higher breast cancer mortality rate among African American women compared to white women occurs despite a lower incidence rate. Factors that contribute to the higher death rates among African American women include differences in access to and utilization of early detection and treatment and differences in tumor characteristics.

BREAST CANCER FACTS

NEW CASES

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. The overall incidence rate of breast cancer is 10% lower in African American women than in white women. Among younger women (under age 40), however, the incidence is higher in African Americans than in whites. Breast cancer incidence rates increased rapidly among African American women during the 1980s, largely due to increased detection as the use of mammography screening increased (Figure 7). Incidence rates stabilized among African American women aged 50 and older during 1995-2005, while rates decreased by 0.7% per year among women under age 50 from 1991-2005.4

At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, which is why regular mammograms are so important. A woman’s best overall preventive health strategy is to reduce her known risk factors as much as possible by avoiding weight gain and obesity, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimizing alcohol intake.10 Women should consider the increased risk of breast cancer associated with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use when evaluating treatment options for menopausal symptoms. More information about breast cancer is available in the American Cancer Society publication Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, available online at www.cancer.org.

SURVIVAL

The 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed in 1996-2004 among African American women was 77%, compared to 90% among whites (Figure 5). This difference can be attributed to both later stage at detection and poorer stage-specific survival among African American women. Only about half (51%) of breast cancers diagnosed among African American women are diagnosed at a local stage, compared to 62% among white women (Figure 6). Within each stage, 5-year survival is also lower among African American women.

Studies have documented unequal receipt of prompt, high-quality treatment for African American women compared to white women.6, 13-15 There is also evidence that aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in African American than white women.16-18 Other studies suggest factors associated with socioeconomic status may influence the biologic behavior of breast cancer.19-21 Thomson and colleagues, studying an all white Scottish population, suggest that poor women with breast cancers are more likely to be diagnosed with estrogen receptor-negative tumors.22 Poverty likely influences disease pathology and genetic markers of disease through lifelong dietary and reproductive habits.

*ACS African American 2009-2010 Cancer Facts

DEATHS

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women, surpassed only by lung cancer. An estimated 6,020 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009. Breast cancer death rates among African American women increased 1.5% annually from 1975- 1992 and declined thereafter. This decrease was larger in women under 50 (1.9% per year) than in women aged 50 and older (1.2%).4 The steady decline in overall female breast cancer mortality since the early 1990s has been attributed to improvements in both early detection and treatment.11,12 However, the decrease in breast cancer death rates has been smaller in African American than white women. During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were approximately equal, yet in the period 2001-2005, African American women had a 37% higher death rate than white women. This difference accounts for more than one-third (37%) of the overall cancer mortality disparity between African American and white women. The higher breast cancer mortality rate among African American women compared to white women occurs despite a lower incidence rate. Factors that contribute to the higher death rates among African American women include differences in access to and utilization of early detection and treatment and differences in tumor characteristics.

My Fabulous Boobies!

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Someone asked the question on facebook whether a day went by when you didn’t think about breast cancer. My answer was no.

While I may not look like the sister in this photograph (one breast, and one large mastectomy scar, with a visible port and a bald head from chemo)… I still SEE that sister when I look in the mirror. I still feel like that sister when something aches or bothers me and I wonder whether it is a side effect of the cancer or the treatment or the surgeries… of if its a sign of old age, lack of movement, or laziness. When I question my lack of appetite because I’m not sure if I’m not hungry because I’m sick or something… or I’m so overly concerned with losing weight that I refuse to eat many days. Radiation therapy caused my body to swell and puff in ways I didn’t expect. My weight has fluctuated so much over the past two years, that I constantly worry about how I look now. The last thing I want to do is to appear sick — in any way — to other people.

Because I write this blog and constantly talk about my experiences… breast cancer is always near the forefront of my thoughts. But, not in the same way as two years ago. Or even one year ago. Coming to the end of the treatment does have its benefits, including being able to feel joy even when you still carry the ghost of breast cancer in your heart.

One of my absolute FAV-O-RITE breast cancer survivors recently stated that she isn’t afraid of anything because the scariest thing to her was learning that she had breast cancer. Once she defeated that beast, she became invincible. That kind of strength in spirit is inspiring to me. I cannot say that I don’t have fears. I do. Everyday. But I push through them…because I realize that they won’t kill me. If breast cancer didn’t do that then surely bill collectors won’t drive me there either. (laughs) Or my pitiful dating life. (which by the way is looking up these days…)