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Early detection is key. EATEL has been a part of the Ascension and Livingston communities for over 80 years. With crystal-clear TV, high-speed Internet, reliable phone services and home security – at home or at the office - we've got you covered with the only all-ďŹ ber network in Ascension and lower Livingston Parishes. At EATEL, we proudly support Breast Cancer Awareness month and understand the importance of early detection and screening for all of our employees, friends and families.
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It’s that time of year Contact Us Phone: (225) 644-6397 (225) 473-3101 (225) 687-3288 Editorial editor@weeklycitizen.com Advertising cbarrett@gatehousemedia.com Website www.weeklycitizen.com www.donaldsonvillechief.com www.postsouth.com Paint it All Pink is created annually by GateHouse Media LLC and is distributed with various newspapers across the country and by King Features. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of publication management. ©2017 GATEHOUSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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By Greg Fischer @AscensionEditor
A colleague brought it to my attention last week that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes a cause for nearly each day in October. While we all probably know about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and pink in October, we may not realize all the other causes to focus on this month. Here, I’ll tell you. October also recognizes: Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Eye Injury Prevention Month, Health Literacy Month, Home Eye Safety Month, International Walk to School Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, National Down
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Syndrome Awareness Month, National Medical Librarians Month, National Physical Therapy Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. Plus, more causes are recognized in October by way of a single day or week. See all of them at healthfinder.gov. However, this issue in the Weekly Citizen and The Donaldsonville Chief is focused specifically on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have an aunt who is in remission from breast cancer. Which may suggest the commonality of this disease. That being said, I’d like to wish all who are suffering this year due to breast cancer either yourself or for
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someone in your family, the best care you may receive. I wish you support, and love from the people around you. Although the list grows annually which health issues HHS recognizes with a day, week or month, the more light we shine on health issues the better. We are working to fight back with
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research and medicine to marginalize dangerous diseases and potential epidemics in society. In a country that has grown hostile, be proud of at least that fact. Furthermore, it’s refreshing to see so many businesses in Ascension Parish recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month. Even if it’s just pink bags at the checkout line. To see local hospitals and groups offering free screenings shows what awareness does. Whether it’s through making donations or simply wearing pink ribbons, please keep it up! You are making a difference even on the peripheral.
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PAINT IT ALL PINK | OCTOBER 2017
October means get screened
By Halen Doughty @LikeVanHalen
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t’s October, which can only mean two things - that Halloween is just around the corner and everything everywhere is decked out in pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As the granddaughter of two breast cancer survivors, that means something a little different to me.
Both of my grandmothers were diagnosed with breast cancer long before I was born. My mom’s mom passed away after the cancer returned 13 years later and metastasized in other parts of her body. I am blessed to still have my dad’s mom with us today. Although I wasn’t old enough to understand what cancer was at the time my Meemaw passed, it continues to shape my life now in adulthood. For many, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about wearing lots of pink and giving an extra dollar at the check out to support one cause or another. Professional football teams will don their pink socks, and offices will decorate their halls with massive bows. Some people will run a 5k, others will make a charitable contribution, and more will change their Facebook profile picture to
e, something pink. But for me, g. October is about screening. It’s the time when I take my health into my own hands and get screened for breastt cancer. Raising awareness and supporting research initiatives are important, but in my opinion preventative care needs more attention. I’m not hating on raising awareness at all. Some wonderful organizations raise a lot of money to continue to help people, which is great, but there is more we can do. As someone with a family history of multiple cancers, I’m no stranger to screenings even at my young age, but the same cannot be said for some. Early detection is key to the survival of many diagnosed with cancer. Some will be diagnosed with no family history and no physical symptoms. If it weren’t for screenings, many may not
find find it until it’s too late. I hope this year that as many people that donate to research will also get screened themselves or help someone else get their screening. It’s quick and easy, and at many awareness events this month, it will also be free. Some even offer transportation for those unable to make it to the doctor’s office. Prevention and early detection are just as important as other aspects of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That’s the whole point of raising awareness, right? Surely by now everyone knows that breast
cancer exists, but what they may not know are the symptoms and risk factors. Getting screened is a great opportunity to meet with your doctor and discuss them. Finally, keep in mind that for so many, breast cancer is not an issue reserved for October. It’s a real struggle with real pain and real loss for real people. That’s why you won’t often find me wearing pink throughout the month. But you will find two breast cancer ribbons tattooed on the back of my neck - a reminder of my grandmothers’ strength and perseverance and a testament to their struggle. That’s why I get screened, to do what I can to honor their fight and to encourage others to do the same.
Community Health Event offers free Cancer Screenings By Halen Doughty @LikeVanHalen
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ary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales and the Gonzales Area Foundation are teaming up to provide free, convenient access to cancer screenings at the Live Well Ascension event. The inaugural event takes place on Saturday October 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the cancer center on Highway 30. Screenings include breast, prostate, skin, colorectal and oral cavity, as well as blood pressure, glucose checks, and BMI checks.
“We know that certain barriers to care exist in rural areas, and a lack of access to healthcare can result in cancers going undetected,” said Renea Duffin, vice president of cancer support and outreach for the Cancer Center. “Events like Live Well Ascension provide us the opportunity to get in the local community and offer early detection and education in a fun and accessible environment.” The Cancer Center has provided nearly 900 screenings to the Gonzales area since 2010 and diagnosed seven cancers. Founding member of the Gonzales Area Foundation DeEtte DeArmond said they are thrilled to bring this event to the
area and provide life-saving services to the community. “Gonzales is such a close-knit community. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer,” said DeArmond. In addition to the screenings, Live Well Ascension also includes family activities like food, entertainment, hayrides, and pumpkin decorating. All of the activities are free to attendees. The screenings are available to anyone who has not been screened in the past year. For more information, visit marybird.org/ ascension.
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Some of the signs of potential breast cancer:
◗ Red, inflamed breast A swollen and sometimes warm, red breast should be evaluated promptly, Bevers said. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but aggressive disease. Swelling and redness affecting one-third or more of the breast is cause for concern. Smaller changes, like the size of a half-dollar, are probably not breast cancer, “but get it diagnosed,” Bevers said.
◗ Peeling, scaling
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Flaky, peeling or scaling skin on the breast could be a sign of Paget’s disease, a type of breast cancer, or it could be minor skin irritation, Bevers said. Watch for whether the skin changes only occur in one breast, often starting in the nipple area, and spread from there.
◗ Dimpling of the skin
POTENTIAL
SIGNS
OF
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eeling a lump in the breast is a classic sign of breast cancer, but there are other less-wellknown signals that can tip off potential trouble. “The hope is that women know their own bodies and would find a mass before it becomes palpable, but the truth is that radiologists can find tumors so small — 3, 4 or 5 millimeters — that it’s rare to be able to feel a small tumor before it can be discovered by mammogram,” said Dr. Therese Bevers, medical director of the Cancer Prevention Center at MD Anderson in Houston and an expert in breast cancer screenings. Today, breast self exams are not widely recommended, but that doesn’t mean you should stop investigating your breasts, Bevers said. The keywords now are “breast
“You know how your breasts look and feel. If something feels different, have it checked out.” Dr. Therese Bevers
awareness. You know how your breasts look and feel. If something feels different, have it checked out,” Bevers said. Women themselves discover “a substantial amount of breast cancer because nobody knows a woman’s body as well as she does herself,” said Dr. Rachel Brem, director of breast imaging and intervention at The GW Medical Faculty Associates in Washington, D.C. “Women have to understand that mammograms are imperfect. Fifteen percent of breast cancers cannot be seen on mammograms. The death rate of breast cancer has decreased 35 percent in the past few decades, and mammograms are one part of that. They’re one tool in our toolbox, but there’s other things like MRIs, diagnostic ultrasounds and molecular breast imaging,” Brem said. “We have many kinds of technology; no one size fits all.”
“A dimpling on the skin of the breast like a pimple that doesn’t heal” can also be a sign of breast cancer, Brem said. The nipple may also become retracted because there’s a tumor pulling it inward, Bevers said. The dimpling might be subtle and noticeable only at certain times, for example, when you stand in front of a mirror and raise your arms to brush your hair, Bevers said.
◗ Nipple discharge Most nipple discharge is not breast cancer, but it is of more concern if it is spontaneous, from one breast only, or clear rather than milky or greenish, Brem said. Nipple discharge may not have a high suspicion rate, but have it checked out.
◗ Mass in the armpit An ancillary mass in the region, such as a lump in the armpit, could be breast cancer in the lymph nodes, Bevers said. “Not all lumps in the armpit are breast cancer. It could be an ingrown hair, but it needs to be checked out,” she said.
◗ A thickening If your breast feels firmer than before, that change should be evaluated by a doctor. “If it’s a change to you, it doesn’t matter what you can see or feel,” Bevers said. Use your awareness of your breasts. If something doesn’t feel normal, get it checked out.
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Fostering Hope brings puppy love home to cancer survivors By Halen Doughty @LikeVanHalen
Hope abounds for cancer survivors thanks to a program that brings a little extra love home to patients. Mary Bird Perkins Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge operates a dog fostering program for cancer survivors called Fostering Hope. The program connects survivors with dogs in need of foster homes. Director of Patient Support Services Brandon Reeves said the program arose from Mary Bird Perkins’ love for animals. He said the center wanted to carry on the spirit of that love through a weekly pet therapy program in partnership with the LSU Vet School. Once a week, dogs parade through the center greeting patients with kisses and wagging tails. “It brings a whole different energy,” Reeves said, “There’s a peace and calm that comes with the excitement.” Fostering Hope became an extension of the pet therapy after seeing how much joy the dogs could bring to the patients. The center teams up with Companion Animal Alliance and Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge to bring the dogs to survivors at no cost to them. The program covers the cost of vet fees, food, and even provides kennels and other pet-caring supplies. Of course the fur babies get a huge kick out of it, but it also benefits the foster parents. Reeves said studies have shown caring for animals can reduce blood pressure and anxiety. He noted this is the first program of its kind in the country, and other cancer
centers have started inquiring about how to set up similar programs in other states. Fosters can also adopt through the program if they want to become the fur-ever home for the pups in their care. There’s no fee for adoption either, as the center works to reduce any barrier survivors may face to bringing home the newest member of their family. Reeves said it can be a tremendous help to survivors figuring out life after treatment. “When they finish, they’re looking for something to be the new normal,” Reeves said, “We’re trying to help patients define who they’re going to be.” He said it can be refreshing for survivors to take care of someone else, after being cared for themselves for so long. That’s why the program doesn’t exclude anyone. It’s open to patients from other cancer centers, not just those at Mary Bird. It even services the entire capitol region. “It’s a service to the patients, but it’s also a service to the community,” said Reeves. The very first foster pet in the program was Hope, named for the program itself. Hope was fostered by two-time cancer survivor Barbara Keller. She has since been adopted by a couple who work as truck drivers and take Hope on adventures across the country. The program is funded through donations that cover vet costs and adoption fees. For more information about Fostering Hope or to make a donation to other survivor initiatives, visit marybirdlake.org.
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Two-time cancer survivor Barbara Keller with Hope, the very first foster dog in the program.
The City of Plaquemine is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, but most women can survive if it’s found and treated early. We urge all women to be informed and talk with their doctor about screening for breast cancer.
Mayor Edwin “Ed” Reeves, Jr. & the Plaquemine Board of Selectmen: Timothy L. “Timmy” Martinez - Mayor Pro Tem, Lindon A. “Lin” Rivet, Jr., Oscar S. Mellion, Ralph J. Stassi, Jr., Michael W. “Mickey” Rivet, & Jimmie Randle, Jr.
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The Pink Ribbon Story
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pink ribbon symbolizes breast cancer awareness. The merging of ribbon and symbolism in the United States came about in two huge leaps. The first occurred in 1979 when a wife of a hostage who had been taken in Iran was inspired to tie yellow ribbons around the trees in her front yard, signaling her desire to see her husband come home again. Step two occurred 11 years later, when AIDS activists looked at the yellow ribbons that had been resurrected for soldiers fighting the Gulf War and turned the ribbon bright red, looped it, spruced it up and sent it onto the national stage during the Tony awards to represent those affected by AIDS.
The stage was set for the evolution of the breast cancer awareness ribbon. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has used the color pink since its inception in 1982. The first Komen Race for the Cure® logo design was an abstract female runner outlined with a pink ribbon and was used during the mid 1980s through early 1990s. In 1990, the first breast cancer survivor program was launched at the Komen National Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. The survivors wore buttons that were printed in black and white. Later that year, the survivor program developed, and pink was used as the designated color for Komen to promote awareness
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and its programs. Pink visors were launched for survivor recognition. In 1991, pink ribbons were distributed to all breast cancer survivors and participants of the Komen New York City Race for the Cure®. Then in 1992, Alexandra Penney, editor-in-chief of Self magazine, wanted to put the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue over the top. She did this by creating a ribbon and enlisting the cosmetics giants to distribute them in New York City stores. And thus, the birth of the pink ribbon! In 2007, twenty-five years after its inception, the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The name change was accompanied by a new brand image. The new logo included a pink “running ribbon” designed specifically for Komen for the Cure. This ribbon signifies the promise Komen Founder Nancy G. Brinker made to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to do what she could to end breast cancer. Today, any generic pink ribbon can be used to represent breast cancer awareness while the Komen “running ribbon” is reserved solely for use by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Source: Susan G. Komen
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PAINT IT ALL PINK | OCTOBER 2017
A FRIENDS
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“When patients are diagnosed with cancer, there’s this rush to get through the treatment process. But for patients with early-stage breast cancer, they have some time to decide on their treatment choice.”
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Dr. Lauren P. Wallner, University of Michigan
How you can help Offer to go with to an appointment and take notes. “It is incredibly helpful to have another set of eyes and ears,” Wallner said.
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
W
hen facing a breast cancer diagnosis, there’s strength in numbers. A new study finds that half of women relied on three or more people to help them process breast cancer treatment options. “The big takeaway is that most women with early-stage breast cancer are involving multiple people — not just a spouse or partner — but other family, friends and colleagues to help them make informed decisions,” said Dr. Lauren P. Wallner, assistant professor of general medicine and epidemiology at the University of Michigan and lead author of the paper, published in the journal Cancer. The size of a woman’s support network matters. “People faced with a new cancer diagnosis are still processing the
information. They are often scared and overwhelmed. They are not able to grasp all the details. It’s helpful to have support, someone with them who can help weigh the pros and cons of what the doctor is saying and the different treatment options,” Wallner said. Larger support networks were associated with more deliberation about treatment, which is critical as treatment options become more complex, Wallner said. More deliberation suggests patients are thinking through pros and cons, discussing it with others and weighing the decision carefully. The more people a woman has supporting her, the better her decisions are, Wallner said. “When patients are diagnosed with cancer, there’s this rush to get through the treatment process. But for patients with early-stage breast cancer, they have some time to decide on their treatment choice,” Wallner said. “The idea
that women are discussing their options more with their family and friends and potentially thinking through that decision more carefully is reassuring. Engaging these informal support networks could be a way to prevent women from rushing into something.” The study found that only 10 percent of women said they had no personal decision support network. Nearly three-quarters said their support network talked with them about their treatment options and frequently attended their appointments. African-American and Latina women reported larger networks than did white women. Women who were married or partnered also reported more support. Even among women without a partner or spouse, many had large support networks. Women reported children, friends, siblings, parents and other relatives were involved in their decision-making.
Help with research “If you’re internet-savvy, help do research and track down information,” Wallner said. Just be there “On a basic level, just being present lets the patient know she is not alone,” Wallner said. Doctors need to involve others “Physicians should be aware that women want to include others in their treatment decisions,” Wallner said. A woman without a support network may need extra help or information during the decision process. “It starts with something as simple as physicians asking patients who is helping them make their treatment decisions. That can then guide the conversation, such as the amount of resources the physician provides and to whom they communicate that information,” she said.
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Remembering Darrell Marquette This year’s event was held in memory of Darrell Joseph Marquette, 55, who was last year’s speaker at the event. The Prairieville native and resident of Donaldsonville passed away on September 26, 2017. Darrell was a loving husband, father, son, and friend. He was a retired coach and teacher at Donaldsonville High School and a pastor at Word of Life Church in Donaldsonville. He enjoyed cooking and serving his famous jambalaya and sausage po-boys at home football games. Marquette was also a butcher who raised 4-H pigs for shows and loved tractors. Most of all, he loved serving the elderly and the community.
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PAINT IT ALL PINK | OCTOBER 2017
St. Elizabeth Hospital ignites the spirit of pink at breast cancer awareness event
By Halen Doughty @LikeVanHalen
C
ancer survivors celebrated winning the fight against cancer at St. Elizabeth Hospital on October 6 at Igniting the Spirit of Pink. The annual event honors the lives lost to cancer while celebrating those who beat the deadly disease. This year’s speaker was Kelli Beckman. A mother of four boys and stage 4 cancer survivor who mentors others diagnosed with breast cancer. Beckman was diagnosed with breast cancer on her 36th birthday with no family history and no signs or symptoms. After successfully completing her treatment, she was diagnosed again less than four years later when it had metastasized to bone and bone marrow. She had several tumors in her head, one in her spine, and one in her pelvic bone, again with no symptoms. But Beckman didn’t let that slow
her down. She remains active in organizations like Susan G. Komen, which provides services to help with early detection and supports research for a cure. During her speech at the event, she told her story and read a letter she wrote to cancer, which she said she pictured as evil being with “a grotesque body, malicious smile, and wicked eyes.” But the letter addressed to the devil-like being she imagined laughed at the pain of others was one of gratitude, not anger. “The matter of the hair, the breast, the roadmap of scars, I’ll give that to you as well. You almost had me, but now I recognize the only thing you did was take away my misperception of what beauty and wholeness were,” Beckman said, “...you have given me the ability to look passed the imperfections of people and see into their soul. This may have been one of the greatest things you could have ever done for me.” Beckman recalled the 20 minutes a day of radiation, a challenge because of
her claustrophobia, but she explained that time became a period of mediation every day that she eventually came to look forward to. She went on to explain the support, love, and courage she came to understand while going through treatment. She said cancer gave her the opportunity to learn to
trust, to let go, and to live. “I know you couldn’t have counted on how strong I would be,” the letter reads, “because I didn’t know it myself, not until you showed me.”
OCTOBER 2017 | PAINT IT ALL PINK
Gene mutations and breast cancer A new study published in JAMA reveals how much having “breast cancer n the fight for a cure for genes” increases the risk breast cancer, BRCA1 of cancer. Women with and BRCA2 get a lot of genetic mutations in the attention, but many “breast cancer genes” have people don’t understand how about a 70 percent chance of these genes’ mutations affect developing breast cancer in their risk of developing the their lifetimes. The findings are based on an analysis disease. of nearly 10,000 women BRCA1 and BRCA2 (short with mutations in either the for BReast CAncer 1 and BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. 2) are human genes that The risk of developing produce tumor-suppressor breast cancer varies — it proteins, according to
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By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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Only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are due to inherited gene mutations known to increase risk, according to the American Cancer Society. the National Institutes of Health. These proteins help repair damaged DNA and play a role in cell growth and cell division. These are genes we all have in our bodies. It’s when these genes have mutations — or mistakes — that a person’s risk rises for developing breast and other forms of cancers, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are due to inherited gene mutations known to increase risk, according to the American Cancer Society. BRCA mutations affect men, too. Men with BRCA2 mutations are at an increased risk for getting prostate cancer.
Mike Anderson’s raises money for Relay for Life By Halen Doughty
can double — depending on specific mutations within the genes, the study found. Having close family members with breast cancer also increased risk. Other key findings: • Among women who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer before the study, those with BRCA1 mutations faced a 72 percent chance of developing breast cancer by age 80, and the BRCA2 carriers had a 69 percent chance of developing breast cancer by age 80. • The rate of new breast cancer cases increased rapidly among younger women, but leveled off around ages 30 to 40 for BRCA1 carriers and 40 to 50 for BRCA2 carriers.
@LikeVanHalen
M
ike Anderson’s in Gonzales will donate a portion of every gift card sold this month to Relay for Life. The prominent crawfish by the entrance is even decked out in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. Co-owner Chip Robert said the whole idea of the promotion is to be involved in the community. He said it’s also an easy way for locals to give back and make a difference in someone’s life. “It’s a win-win because everybody likes to eat, and they get to support a good cause at the same time,” said Robert. There’s no minimum purchase required, as a portion of the proceeds from every gift card purchased will support Relay for Life. Robert noted it’s a fun way to get the staff excited, since they can wear their pink ties and hats. Bartender Michal Huber said customers love the promotion because the company is giving back to the community. Waiter Grant Daigle echoed that sentiment, saying he’s also heard good feedback from customers. He said a lot of patrons have inquired about the gift cards. “They like it. It’s cool to be able to give back.
We’re doing our part, and the customers see that,” Daigle said.
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SHINING through
PAINT IT ALL PINK | OCTOBER 2017
Helping women learn new beauty tricks during chemo
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osing your hair is a common side effect of chemotherapy, yet it can be incredibly traumatic. There are beautiful ways to cope. Hair should grow back after treatments are done, said Linda Whitehurst, a 28-year volunteer with Look Good Feel Better, a program that provides beauty workshops to improve selfesteem and quality of life for women undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer treatments. Teaching women how to cover their heads with colorful scarves is one way to help them build their confidence and self-esteem. “It’s all about the transformation and finding normalcy,” Whitehurst said. Women going through a difficult time “don’t want to stand out. They want to fit in,” said Deborah Flynn, manager of the Friends’ Place at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Whether done in a workshop, by watching YouTube videos or simply by practicing in front of a mirror, there are endless possibilities to creatively manage the effects of hair loss. Scarves are a trendy alternative to wigs and hats, Flynn said. “Wigs can be hot, and hats are not for everyone. Scarves are fashionable,” Flynn said. They can be intimidating to someone who is not used to wearing them. Here are some of the experts’ tips for how to tie, drape, twist and wrap a headscarf, as well as how to pick what’s right for you.
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Start square Take a 30-by-30-inch square scarf. Fold it into triangle. Pull the front of the scarf over the forehead and knot the ends over the point in the triangle. Pull a bit of excess fabric above the knot to achieve a fuller look. You can also add a pair of socks to make it look like there’s hair underneath, Flynn said. Feeling rosy Once your tried a basic babushka, try the rosette turban. Use a large square or oblong scarf folded into a triangle. Place scarf on head with both ends to one ear and knot. Twist one end tightly and wind around knot. Tuck in the end and repeat with other end. If need be, hold ends in place with bobby pins. Stay stable Cotton scarves stay in place better than silky ones, Flynn said. “For even more traction, wear a cotton beanie under the scarf to keep it in place,” she said. Good choices Scarves made of crinkled fabric are also good because they don’t wrinkle, Whitehurst said. Other popular choices include tie-dyed or batik scarves with lots of color. Not too far down When placing a scarf on the forehead, avoid putting it too far down or else you’ll end up with “the Cabbage Patch look,” Whitehurst said. Instead place it up near the hairline. Scrunch the look “It’s hard to look at a beautiful scarf laid out flat and see what it will look like on. Take the scarf and roll it around in your hand. Scrunch it up in a coil to get a better idea of what it will look like when you’re wearing it,” Whitehurst said.
For more information Look Good Feel Better is supported by the American Cancer Society and the Professional Beauty Association. Its beauty programs are available across the United States. Visit lookgoodfeelbetter.org and type in your ZIP code to find a free program near you. Or, call 1-800-395-LOOK (5665) and get a self-help kit that includes a video with scarf-tying tips mailed to you for free.
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PAINT IT ALL PINK | OCTOBER 2017
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
IS EARLY DETECTION
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ighly trained radiologists can detect small cancers so early through mammography that there now may be an overdiagnosis of small tumors, which can lead to unnecessary treatment, according to a Yale Cancer Center study. “Radiologists are so skilled at finding tiny little tumors. It’s the price we pay. They’re finding a lot of small cancers that will never become large and life-threatening,” said Dr. Donald Lannin, professor of surgery at Yale School of Medicine and lead author on the paper. Many small cancers have an excellent prognosis because they are inherently slow-growing and treatable, such as with a lumpectomy, Lannin said. Early detection doesn’t necessarily increase survival rates because
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these cancers will not grow large enough to become significant within a patient’s lifetime, he said. In contrast, large tumors that cause most breast cancer deaths often grow so quickly that they become dangerous before they can be detected by screening mammography. Diagnosis not a death sentence Before mammography it was thought that all cancers were life-threatening, and if cancer was detected earlier — when it was smaller — it would lead to higher survival rates, Lannin said. Yet today mammograms only decrease breast cancer mortality rates by 19 percent, Lannin said. “We would expect it to be higher, maybe 50 or 75 percent. We hoped for three decades to cut the risk by more,” he said. As the science of mammography has accelerated diagnosis, radiologists are detecting “three times the amount of small
“Women shouldn’t have an over-optimistic expectation that a mammogram will keep you from dying from breast cancer.” Dr. Donald Lannin, Yale School of Medicine
cancers,” many of which are not life-threatening, Lannin said. Previously, the medical community knew that there were differences in tumor growth rates but thought that the differences were small. What’s new from the Yale study is, researchers found that a large percentage of cancers grow quickly and another large percentage of cancers grow slowly, Lannin said. “There’s a lot of bad breast cancers and also a lot of good breast cancers,” Lannin said. The diverse character of breast cancer explains both how mammography leads to overdiagnosis and also why it is not more effective. What you should know “Women shouldn’t have an
over-optimistic expectation that a mammogram will keep you from dying from breast cancer,” Lannin said. Often, aggressive cancers can be physically felt before a mammogram can detect them, Lannin said. He does not suggest women skip mammograms. Instead, they should “have some perspective” when faced with a diagnosis of a small breast cancer tumor, “which probably has a pretty good prognosis,” Lannin said. The American Cancer Society suggests women 45 to 54 schedule a mammogram every year and after age 55 every two years, depending on health and family history. Beyond that, treatment depends on the age of the patient and the
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biology of the cancer, Lannin said. For a woman in her 50s diagnosed with a small slowgrowing tumor, the cancer probably would have been diagnosed in her 70s without mammography, Lannin said. But a woman in her 70s diagnosed with a small slow-growing tumor may die of something else before the cancer grows large enough to be detected or be life-threatening, Lannin said. The biology of the breast cancer also determines its treatment, Lannin said. Treatment depends on factors such as grade (how fast it grows), hormone receptors (how favorable the status of the estrogen and progesterone receptors are) and molecular testing. Those things determine how aggressively the cancer should be treated, Lannin said.
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SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH CITY OF DONALDSONVILLE 609 Railroad Avenue P.O. Box 470 Donaldsonville, LA 70346 (225) 473-4247 • Fax: (225) 473-0630
Mayor Leroy J. Sullivan, Sr. Employees & City Council: Lauthaught Delaney, Sr. - Dist. 1 Raymond Aucoin - Dist. 2 Reginald Francis, Sr. - Dist. 3 Rev. Charles Brown, Sr. - Dist. 4 Brent Landry - Dist. 5
CAMECO PARTS DISTRIBUTOR DONALDSONVILLE AUTO & TRUCK PARTS DREW HYMEL
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Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Call or stop by today. 310 Iberville St. Donaldsonville, LA 70346 Bus. 225.473.9466 TF. 888.249.3365 ben.glueck@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com
Vicky B. Landry Sr. Branch Office Administrator
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Member SIPC
Marine Cargos: Surveying, Supervision & Consulting P.O. Box 509 | Donaldsonville, LA 70346 Phone: 225.473.1700 | Fax 225.473.8020
Support Breast Cancer Research Michael L. LeBlanc, CPA 215 St. Patrick St. P.O. Box 1190 Donaldsonville, LA 70346 Tel: 225.473.4179 800.356.2714 Fax: 225.473.7204 E-Mail: mleblanc@pncpa.com Website: www.pncpa.com
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THE
KNOW FACTS Study finds many double mastectomies unnecessary
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
W
omen with earlystage cancer in one breast are increasingly choosing double mastectomies — even if they are at low risk of developing breast cancer in the other, healthy breast, a new study published in JAMA found. Nearly half of women with early-stage breast cancer consider having a double mastectomy, and one in six received it. “That one in six breast cancer patients chose bilateral mastectomy is really striking. We knew it was increasing, but I don’t think many of us realized just how frequent this is,” said study author Dr. Reshma Jagsi, professor and deputy chair of radiation oncology at the University of Michigan.
Myths and facts The procedure is known as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, in which the
“For a woman with average risk of developing a breast cancer in the second breast, a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy does not increase survival rates.” Susan Brown, Susan G. Komen
healthy breast is removed along with the cancerous breast. It’s an aggressive form of treatment that is recommended for women “who are at a very high risk of developing a new breast cancer” such as those with BRCA 1 or 2 mutations, family history or other risk factors, said Susan Brown, senior director of education and patient support for Susan G. Komen. Especially concerning is the lack of knowledge about the procedure and its benefits, Brown said. Many women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer decide on the most aggressive treatment with the belief that it will increase their rate of survival, Brown said. “For a woman with average risk of developing a breast cancer in the second breast, a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy does not increase
survival rates,” Brown said. Among patients who considered double mastectomy, only 38 percent knew it does not improve survival for all women with breast cancer, the study found. Other misinformation muddies the decision-making process. For example, some patients think having a mastectomy on a healthy breast will stop them from having to undergo chemotherapy or other targeted therapies, but that is not true, Brown said. “Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy will only reduce the risk of breast cancer developing in the healthy breast, but it doesn’t reduce the risk of breast cancer returning in the original breast or coming back later in another part of the body,” Brown said. What you need to know “Every surgery we perform
can have potential complications. These need to be discussed and need to be taken into account carefully before decisions are made,” said Dr. Virginia Kaklamani, a medical oncologist and head of the breast cancer program at University of Texas Health San Antonio. It’s important to understand the risks and benefits of treatment and how likely treatment is to positively affect survival rates, Brown said. There may also be post-operative complications, additional costs, and issues related to long-term suffering and quality of life, Brown said. In the study, almost all patients said peace of mind motivated them to choose double mastectomy. “They are afraid of another breast cancer, of more biopsies of going through this again,” Kaklamani said. In these circumstances, a double mastectomy “can avoid years of anxiety and ongoing fears. For some women that’s a great benefit,” Brown said.
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Vicki Walker was one of the strongest most faithful person we've known in our lives. She courageously fought colon cancer consistently since 2008. She fought an incredible uphill battle every day of her life. With strength and dignity, she never let any anyone know the weight of her struggle. That being said, she remained faithful to Jesus, trusting that her destiny was in His hands. In March 2016, she met Jesus face to face. We love her and miss her every day. We take comfort in the fact that she is enjoying the joy of her salvation! We will see her again in heaven! In memory of Vicki Walker, my sister and sister-in-law, we are gladly pparticipating articipatining iinn ccancer ancer aawareness w month. — David and Toni Arrington
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We Plan for important life events such as weddings, major purchases, college education for our children and retirement. Doesn’t it make sense to plan for the inevitable
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