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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Page 22 Thursday, October 15, 2009 The Southern Illinoisan

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618-241-95181033 S. 42nd St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 OPPORTUNITY

Race forthe Cure! The fear never really

goes away.But staring into the face

of death brings aheightened appreciationfor life.

Several breast cancersurvivors talk about howthe ordeal changed theirlives. Here are theirstories.

MOLLY NORWOODDuring a self-

examination on herbirthday in January 1999,Molly Norwood found alump in her breast. Sheand her husband, Bill,were getting ready toleave for Florida, a tripshe’d looked forward to,so she agreed to see adoctor when theyreturned in a week.

The couple moved toCarbondale from RollingMeadows in 1995 to becloser to their parents inSouthern Illinois. Bothare Southern IllinoisUniversity Carbondalegraduates. A teacher andreading specialist,Norwood also started apublishing company forteachers. Her husbandwas a pilot for UnitedAirlines for 31 years.

When they returnedhome from Florida, herdoctor recommendedthat she get amammogram andscheduled one for three

weeks later.“I knew I couldn’t wait

that long, so I called aradiologist I knew and hearranged for amammogram thatafternoon,” she said. “Idon’t think peopleunderstand what it doesto a person to wait.”

The next day she had abiopsy, and by the nextmorning she knew theawful truth. The cellswere malignant. She hadbreast cancer.

They went to MayoClinic for a secondopinion and then she wasscheduled there for a

Good support and a strong faith will pull you through.survivors We are

BY DEBBIE LUEBKE METROFOR THE SOUTHERN

CHUCK NOVARA / THE SOUTHERNMolly Norwood of Carbondale says she thought, ‘I’m not goingto let this cancer get me.’

The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, October 15, 2009 Page 33


lumpectomy.“The first thing I

worried about waswhether I’d have to takemy acrylic nails off! (Shedidn’t). I was concernedabout my 95-year-oldmother (who haddementia). With my eyesclosed, I could see andhear her singing, ‘ISurrender All,’ an oldspiritual. It was such acomfort.”

It wasn’t until she wasat a hotel near thehospital with herhusband that she wokeup crying in the middle ofthe night. She told him itwas about a TV set attheir house that wasn’tworking.

“I had never cried untilthen. I thought, ‘I’m notgoing to let this cancerget me.’ I was going to bebig and brave.”

Radiation treatmentsand chemotherapy,including a drug called“the red devil,” followed.She suffered nausea andfatigue and lost her hair.Then, for the next fiveyears, she tookTamoxifen, a drug to helpprevent a recurrence ofthe cancer.

Even more pain was instore. In September 1999,Norwood’s mother died.Three years later, a son,Bill Jr., succumbed topancreatic cancer.

“He told me, ‘Mom,don’t let what’shappening to me affectyou.’ That was verydifficult. The pain fromlosing a child touches thecore of your soul.”

Through it all, herstrongest advocate washer husband, whom shecalled her knight in

shining armor.“He was right beside

me and under me theentire time. I was sowrapped up in myself Ididn’t realize how scaredhe was.”

Many other familymembers and friends alsosupported her.

“I have the bestsupport system in theworld — a wonderfulfamily, tremendousfriends and a very strongfaith. These are thingsthat made everythingsuccessful, comfortableand peaceful for me.”

One friend whomentored her, RosemaryCrisp, who died fromovarian cancer in 2007,told her to allow only 15minutes a day for a “pityparty.” When Norwood

CHUCK NOVARA / THE SOUTHERNMarchetta DeWitt of Anna believes positive thinking is important. ‘I try to apply it to my life.’SEE SURVIVOR / PAGE 4

said she’d like to store up theminutes and spend an entire dayin bed, Crisp told her thatwouldn’t be allowed.

Cancer taught her many things,she said. The first lesson came asshe went into surgery in herhospital gown.

“Hmm,” she thought. “Youreally can’t take it with you.Things are not important.”

She learned she was lesstolerant of “people who dwell onpiddly things. And I appreciatethe hugs more.”

Prayer, she realized, ispowerful.

“I felt this synergy of peoplepulling for me. The power ofprayer can’t be underestimated. Itis so strong.”

She has talked to groups ofwomen diagnosed with breast

cancer and participated in theAmerican Cancer Society RelayFor Life in Carbondale and theSusan G. Komen Breast CancerWalk for the Cure in Philadelphia.She and her husband werehonorary chairs of the 2004 relay.

In recognition of her 10thanniversary of surviving cancer,Norwood published a book, “TheWaiting Game: A Story ofPatience, Prayer andPerseverance,” to give to hergranddaughters, family, friendsand others in need.

“In spite of everything, I feelblessed. I don’t mind sharing mystory. It may help someone andit’s therapy for me.”

MARCHETTA DEWITTMarchetta DeWitt still cries

when she talks about herhusband, Carl, dying fromprostate cancer in 2005, a year

before she was diagnosedwith breast cancer.

“It was easier for megoing through cancer thancaring for my husband,”said DeWitt, a retiredUnity Point School teacherwho lives in Anna. “He hadso much pain. It hurt me somuch. I was glad he didn’t haveto see me through it.

“I was worried for mychildren and grandchildren,because they just dealt withlosing my husband. They said,‘Mom, are we going to lose youtoo?’ I told them I’d dowhatever I could to fight it.”

A few years before herhusband died, DeWitt had caredfor her mother and mother-in-law right before their deaths.

“Maybe that sort of helped meprepare for what was ahead forme. In high school, I had read


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FROM PAGE 3


In the United States ...� An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive

breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed inwomen in the United States during 2009.

� About 1,910 men in the UnitedStates will be diagnosed with breastcancer in 2009.� Breast cancer is the most

frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer inwomen.

� An estimated 40,610 breast cancer deaths (440 men)are expected in 2009.� Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in

women (after lung cancer).� The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98

percent among individuals whose cancer has not spreadbeyond the breast at the time of diagnosis.

SOURCE: Caleb Nehring, Senior Health Initiatives Representative American Cancer Society, Illinois Division

DID YOU KNOW?

SURVIVOR: Good support and a strong faith will pull you through



“The Power of PositiveThinking” by NormanVincent Peale, and I thinkpositive thoughts areimportant. I try to applyit to my life.”

In July 2006, a lumpwas found during anannual mammogram.After anothermammogram and abiopsy, she underwentsurgery twice, once for alumpectomy and anotherto remove 10 lymphnodes.

“I felt I was veryfortunate. Themammogram detectedcancer in the early stages.Years ago, the ‘C’ wordwas a death sentence.”

The surgeries werefollowed by two series ofchemotherapy and 30radiation treatments. Shewas weak, nauseous, hadno appetite and her hairfell out. She also suffered“chemo fog” — when“you can’t thinkstraight.”

But all of it wastemporary, she said, andshe had strong supportfrom her family, friends,doctors and medicalstaff. She called DonnaCrow, an RN who is apatient navigator andleads the Women of Hopesupport group at theBreast Center inCarbondale, “my angelon earth. She is atremendous blessing toso many.”

DeWitt is still takingFemara, a non-estrogenhormone therapy drugprescribed to discouragecancer from comingback.

Dealing with canceraltered some of her viewsof life, she said.

“I don’t fret aboutpetty things that used tobug me. You realize whenyou almost die that somethings aren’t important.The dust on the table canwait.”

Cancer drew her familycloser together, and shemade some new friends.

“I enjoy walking to lookat the trees in thechanging seasons andlistening to the birds.God’s creation meansmore to you, everythingdoes, because you don’tknow how many days youmight have left.”

Instead of asking, Whyme? DeWitt said shewondered, Why am I stillhere?

“For some reason, Godsaw fit to spare my life, soI feel the need to giveback.”

So she helps othercancer survivors at theCancer Resource Centerat Memorial Hospital ofCarbondale. She teachesSunday school andtaught at a Bible schoollast summer. Sheparticipates in ahomebound ministryprogram and the RetiredSenior VolunteerProgram.

As a member of a groupof women called TheOthers, who have dealtwith terminal illness, shevisits a local nursinghome and veterans’home.

“It means a lot to seethe smiles on their facesas they invite us back,”she said. “I think it’sGod’s way of keeping mebusy and making otherpeople aware of cancer. Itdoesn’t have to ruin yourlife.”

PANSY JONESWhen Pansy Jones of

Murphysboro wasdiagnosed with breastcancer in October 1992,her doctor told her thetumor was too far alongand too aggressive for herto undergo alumpectomy. She had tohave a mastectomy.

She found the lump

herself, eight monthsafter she had amammogram thatshowed nothingsuspicious.

“It was quite a shock.It’s hard to explain theemotions you go throughand the fear. It’s sofrightening.

“At that time, therewasn’t much said aboutbreast cancer. I onlyknew two people who hadit. Now everyone is muchmore aware of it, thankGod.”

Waiting for test results“was the hardest part,”Jones said. It took fourdays to find out theresults of her biopsy.Then the doctor ordereda bone scan to be sure thecancer hadn’t spread, andshe waited another fivedays to learn theoutcome.

Her surgery wasfollowed by six months ofchemotherapy. She wasworking full time as anassistant to a dean at SIU,so she had chemotreatments on Friday,recovered during theweekend and went backto her job on Monday.

“To me, chemo was theonly hope that I wasgoing to be OK. All thetime I was getting thatpoisonous drug, I toldmyself I was going to bealright. You had to have apositive mindset or youjust can’t make it.”

No one told her she’dbe very depressed afterchemotherapy.

“I’ve always beenoptimistic. When you gothrough chemo, itchanges your thinking.The poison affects yourwhole body.”

Her husband, Robert,daughters, friends andco-workers offeredstrong support.

“It takes an army,”Jones said. “You have tobe willing to let people

help you. If you’re usedto being independent,like I was, you have to saythis is someplace I needhelp.”

Good support and astrong faith pulled herthrough, she said. A

fter her surgery, shetook Tamoxifen for fiveyears. There has been norecurrence of the cancer,but the fear is alwaysthere.

“It’s such a horribledisease. Once you havecancer, every little cough,ache or headache, youwonder if it’s back. Evenafter 17 years, I still havethat feeling.

“What hurts is some ofmy friends have gone

through it and it comesback. For a while Icouldn’t go to a funeral. Isurvived and theirs cameback. I just heard about afriend who now hascancer in her lungs. We’reso excited that wesurvived, but there’salways somebody outthere who didn’t. Itmakes you stop and say aprayer.”

After she recovered,Jones went to hospitals totalk to women justdiagnosed with cancer tolet them know they cansurvive.

She got involved withthe American CancerSociety Relay For Life for10 years. Her team was

the first one in Illinois to raise $30,000 in oneyear.

Now she volunteers forthe Poshard Foundationfor Abused Children andvarious groups oncampus and at herchurch.

She has two great-grandchildren.

“I got to see this, andit’s wonderful. Everybirthday is a joy.

“I appreciate every day.I love the seasons. I lovedworking, I love people, Ido a lot of volunteerwork. I really love life. Ifeel honored that I’ve hadthis many years to keepliving and be healthy. I’mjust blessed.”

CHUCK NOVARA / THE SOUTHERNPansy Jones of Murphysboro says, ‘You have to be willing to let people help you.’

For many women withbreast cancer, the BreastCenter at University Mallin Carbondale offers ahaven of hope.

The center providesdigital mammography, akey element in diagnosis,according to Dr.

Christopher Russell, aradiologist.

“That’s how you catchit early,” he said. “Earlytreatment increases theprobability of a cure.Digital mammography issuperior to film screenmammography in everyway. It provides qualityimages so smalldifferences can be


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Makeup provided by Macy’s. Hairstyling provided by Hot Heads.Some modeling provided by local breast cancer survivors.

Donations will be accepted at the event to theWomen With Hope Fund. Anyone who makes

a donation to the fund will receive a special passthat entitles them to a same-day discount at

participating mall stores.

Meet Linsey Maughan, a 26-year-old breast cancer survivor fromPinckneyville, who is currently featured on boxes of General

Mills’ cereal as an ambassador for Pink Together®

Breast CenterSIH



DETAILSWWhhaatt:: Breast CenterWWhheerree:: University Mall,

1237 E. Main, Suite C-1,Carbondale

HHoouurrss:: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30p.m. Monday-Thursday;7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Fridays

PPhhoonnee:: 618-457-2281PROVIDED

Breast Center staff includes (left to right) Dr. Christopher Russell, radiologist; Dr. RonaldMattison, medical director; and Dana West, women's imaging manager.

detected. Consistency,resolution and contrastmake it superior.”

Since the center startedusing digitalmammography threeyears ago, archivalimages are available toassist with the diagnosis.

“We can compareconsistent exams sosubtle differences can bedetected easier andbetter,” Russell said.

The facility also hasdigital stereotactic breastbiopsy, “a needle biopsydriven by a computer,” heexplained. “It isolatesand targets smallabnormalities andcalcifications. It’s veryaccurate to themillimeter.”

For some locations inthe breast thestereotactic methoddoesn’t reach, digitalneedle localization canbe used. Some patientseven go to the hospitalfor a lumpectomy withthe needle in place, hesaid.

The center also offers

breast ultrasounds. MRIguided biopsies andsurgeries are performedat Memorial Hospital.Chemotherapy andradiation treatments maybe done at doctors’offices.

“There is nothing wecan’t do,” Russell said.“All forms of breastcancer diagnosis, surgeryand treatment can beperformed right here inSouthern Illinois.”

All the technologymeans a shorter waitingperiod for patientsanxious to hear testresults, often going fromdetection to diagnosiswithin 24 hours. Thiswas a main reason Dr.Marsha Ryan, a surgeon,and Dr. Mary Rosenow,Southern IllinoisHealthcare cancer careservices medical director,decided to start theBreast Center.

Without the center“there were painfuldelays for womenbetween the tests and thetest results,” Ryan said.

Emotional andpsychological support isoffered too. There is asupport group for womenand a patient navigator toassist with problems andquestions.

Recently the BreastCenter was named aBreast Imaging Center ofExcellence by theAmerican College ofRadiology, a recognitiongiven only to the top fourpercent of this type ofmedical facility in thenation.

“We are blessed. Theskills and expertise of ourradiologists and breastsurgeons, combined withthe full spectrum ofadvanced technology andhighly-trained, dedicatedtechnicians bond thecenter into a Center ofExcellence,” said JenniferBadiu, SIHadministrative director ofcancer care services.

In 2008, staffconducted about 11,000screening mammogramsand more than 1,500breast ultrasounds.

Getting wellThe American Cancer Society’s Patient

Navigation Services offers cancer patientsfree services to overcome daily challenges.Through facility partnerships with morethan 50 Illinois hospitals, as well as theSociety’s telephone call center with readilyavailable cancer care specialists, peoplefighting cancer can get unparalleledaccess to information and services thatcomplement what their doctors andhospitals provide.

The services include transportationassistance to treatments; discountedlodging at hotels for patients who need totravel to receive care; insurance coverageassistance; resource matching andreferrals; and cosmetic help such as a freewig or headwear for patients who have losttheir hair because of chemotherapy. TheSoci-ety also offers cancer informationand access to support groups via its callcenter, accessible anytime at 800-ACS-2345, and at its Web site,www.IllinoisCancerHelp.org.

Last year in Illinois, more than 20,000new patients and caregivers benefitedfrom these services. This year the Soci-etyhopes to assist 27,000 more peoplethroughout the state.

Staying wellMammography can identify breast

cancer at an early stage, usually beforephysical symptoms develop when thedisease is most treatable. Yearlymammograms are recommended startingat age 40 and continuing for as long as awoman is in good health.

At this time, breast cancer cannot beprevented, which is why regularmammograms are so important. Still,there are things women can do to lowertheir risk of developing breast cancer.Women’s best overall preventive healthstrate-gies are to:� Maintain a healthy body weight� Engage in regular physical activity� Reduce alcohol consumptionTo find the Society’s complete breast

cancer early detection and nutrition andphysical activity guidelines, visitcancer.org.

Fighting backThe American Cancer Society Making

Strides Against Breast Cancer® eventunites communities across the nationeach year to help save lives from breastcancer and provide hope to people facingthe disease. Since 1993, nearly five millionwalkers have raised more than $340million through Making Strides. To learnmore about a Strides walk in Illinois, visitwww.makingstridesillinois.com.

The society and its advocacy affiliate –the American Cancer Society CancerAction Net-workSM (ACS CAN) – advocatefor important legislation and publicprograms that provide increased access tobreast cancer screenings, outreach andeducation, follow-up care and treat-mentfor all people. Currently, ACS CAN isworking to promote the need for andimportance of increasing funding for theNational Breast and Cervi-cal Cancer EarlyDetection Program (NBCCEDP), whichprovides low-income, uninsured andunderinsured women access tomammograms and follow-up services.Visit acscan.org/makingstrides to supportincreased funding for the NBCCEDP, whichwould enable hundreds of thousands morewomen to be served.

Through the society’s many breastcancer programs, there are numerousvolunteer opportunities, such as drivingpatients to treatment, providing one-on-one support, helping mobilize communitymembers to participate in Making StridesAgainst Breast Cancer, and much more.

SOURCE: Caleb Nehring, Senior Health Initiatives Representative American Cancer Society,

Illinois Division

DID YOU KNOW?


PROVIDEDIt's important for breast cancer patients to feel strong. That's why an SIUC professor startedthe Strong Survivors program. See what that's all about by seeing the story on Page 12.


QQ



FAQ frequentlyaskedquestions

Q

Q Q QHow many women areaffected by breast cancer?

An estimated 192,370women in the UnitedStates will be diagnosedwith invasive breastcancer in 2009, and40,170 women will diefrom the disease this year.In Illinois, an estimated8,800 women will bediagnosed with breastcancer this year andnearly 1,970 will die fromthe disease. Amongwomen, breast cancer isthe most frequentlydiagnosed non-skincancer and the second

leading cause of cancerdeath after lung cancer.

Is breast cancer the most common cancer?

Breast cancer is themost frequentlydiagnosed cancer amongwomen, excluding skincancer.

Who is most at riskfor developing breastcancer?

Several factorscontribute to the risk of

developing breast cancer.Aside from being female,age is the main risk factor.As age increases, so doesthe risk of developingbreast cancer. In fact,more than three out offour women who arediagnosed with breastcancer are 50 or older.Family history andgenetics also contribute.Postmenopausal obesityand weight gain are riskfactors, as are having apersonal history of breastcancer, certain types ofbenign breast disease andseveral hormone-relatedfactors.

Can men get breast cancer?

Breast cancer in men israre, but it does occur. Anestimated 1,910 men willbe diagnosed with breastcancer in 2009, andapproximately 440 willdie of the disease.Currently there is notechnology to detect malebreast cancer. The bestway for a man to protecthimself is to be aware ofhow his breasts normallylook and feel and todiscuss any changes withhis health care provider.

What effect does a familyhistory of breast cancerhave on a woman’s risk ofgetting the disease?

Women with a strongfamily history of earlybreast cancer — two ormore close relativesdiagnosed before age 50 –are at increased risk ofdeveloping the disease.However, 70 to 80percent of women whoget breast cancer do nothave a family history ofthis disease.

When should women have mammograms?

Yearly mammogramsare recommendedstarting at age 40 andcontinuing for as long as awoman is in good health.Women with serioushealth problems or shortlife expectancy shoulddiscuss ongoing earlydetection testing withtheir health careproviders. The AmericanCancer Society’s currentbreast cancer screeningguidelines are as follows:� Yearly mammograms

are recommended


Q

QQ Q

Q

Q

Q

Breast cancer in Illinois� This year in Illinois, approximately

8,800 women (60 men) will bediagnosed with breast cancer.� This year in Illinois,

approximately 1,970 women (20men) will die of breast cancer.� Breast cancer ranks second

among cancer deaths in women (after lungcancer).� For Hispanic and Asian women in Illinois, breast

cancer is the most common cancer and the leadingcause of cancer-related death.� African-American women in Illinois have the

highest death rate of breast cancer than any otherracial or ethnic group.

SOURCE: Caleb Nehring, Senior Health Initiatives Representative American Cancer Society, Illinois Division

ART SERVICES

Q

starting at age 40 andcontinuing for as long as awoman is in good health.� A clinical breast exam

should be part of a periodichealth exam, about everythree years for women intheir 20s and 30s and everyyear for women age 40 andolder.� Women should know

how their breasts normallylook and feel and reportany breast changepromptly to their healthcare providers. Breast self-exam is an option forwomen starting in their20s.� The American Cancer

Society recommends thatsome women – because oftheir family history, agenetic mutations, orcertain other factors – bescreened with magneticresonance imaging (MRI)in addition tomammograms. (Thenumber of women who fallinto this category is lessthan 2 percent of all thewomen in the UnitedStates.) Women who thinkthey are in this categoryshould talk with theirdoctor about their historyand whether they shouldhave an MRI with theirmammogram.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray procedure thatenables doctors to see theinternal structure of thebreast and possibly detectbreast cancers that cannotbe felt. These smallertumors are more likely tobe confined to the breast,meaning treatment is morelikely to be successful.

Why is early detectionimportant?

Numerous studies haveshown that early detectionsaves lives and increases

treatment options. Thefive-year survival rate forbreast cancer is 98 percentamong individuals whosecancer has not spreadbeyond the breast at timeof diagnosis.

What should women do tostay well other than getyearly mammograms?

In addition to findingbreast cancer early throughmammography, womencan help reduce breastcancer risk by makinghealthy lifestyle choices tostay well. Many studiesindicate that beingoverweight increases therisk of breast canceramong post-menopausalwomen, so all womenshould strive to maintain ahealthy weight. Inaddition, moderate tovigorous physical activityhas been shown todecrease breast cancer riskamong both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.Weight control and regularphysical activity are alsoimportant for breast cancersurvivors. There isconvincing data thatobesity is associated withbreast cancer recurrence,and data from a large studyof breast cancer survivorsshowed that higher whofind a change in theirbreast should be certainthat their breast change isevaluated by their doctor.

Does mammographydetect all breast cancers?

While mammogramsdetect the majority ofbreast cancers, they are notperfect and fail to detectabout 10 to 20 percent ofbreast cancers. Womenwith negativemammograms and whofind a change in theirbreast should be certain

that their breast change isevaluated by their doctor.

Is mammographythe only technologycurrently used to screen for breast cancer?

Mammography is thestandard tool for earlydetection today. Otherimaging techniques,however, are underinvestigation. Theseinclude MRI, positronemission tomography(PET), and ultrasound.Some of the techniques arecurrently used to follow upon suspicious findingsfrom a physical exam ormammogram or along withmammography in womenwith increased risk.

Are breast cancer screeningscovered by insurance?

Medicare providescoverage for yearlyscreening-mammographyfor female beneficiaries age40 and older. Unlike otherMedicare benefits, thedeductible is waived formammography. For adiagnostic mammogram,the patient pays thedeductible, in addition tothe copayment.Additionally, most statesensure that privateinsurance companies,Medicaid and publicemployee health plansprovide coverage andreimbursement for theearly detection of breastcancer.

When should womenperform breast self-examinations?

What if they detect alump? Women shouldalways be aware of howtheir breasts normally lookand feel. If a womanchooses to do breast self-

examinations, sheshould do itregularly, preferablymonthly. Whileresearch does notshow that doingbreast self-examination reducesbreast cancer deaths, theexam may provide self-awareness andheightened sensitivityto important breastchanges. If a lump isdetected, a womanshould see her healthcare professional as soon aspossible for an evaluation.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Breast cancer can bedetected by theappearance of irregularimages on mammograms.

Other signs includepersistent breast changes,such as a lump,thickening, swelling,dimpling, skin irritation,distortion, retraction,scaliness, ulceration,pain and tenderness of thenipple, or spontaneousnipple discharge.

During a breastexamination, lymph nodesin the armpit and abovethe collarbone may be feltfor enlargement orfirmness, which mightindicate the spread ofbreast cancer. levels ofpost-treatment physicalactivity were associatedwith a 26 percent to 40percent reduction in therisk of breast cancerrecurrence, breast cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality.

Healthy choices such asmaintaining a healthyweight, getting regularexercise, and limitingalcohol intake are criticalcomponents of breasthealth.

— SOURCE: Caleb Nehring, Senior HealthInitiatives Representative American

Cancer Society, Illinois Division

DID YOU KNOW?


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Women encouraged to sign up for Buddy Check 9Cancer is most treatable when discovered early.

That’s why Southern Illinois Healthcare, through St.Joseph Memorial Hospital, is pleased to announce anew program, Buddy Check 9.

Buddy Check 9 encourages women to pair with afamily member, friend or co-worker and remind eachother to do a breast self-exam on the 9th of eachmonth. Women who join Buddy Check 9 will receivemonthly email reminders, education and tips aboutbreast health.

To sign up for a free kit and monthly reminders: 866-744-2468 or visit www.sih.net.

Party with the Captain raises awareness, fundsParty with the Captain raises awareness for breast

cancer and benefits the American Cancer Society.Upscale appetizers and live music provided by partyband, Burning Las Vegas, while raising funds andawareness for the American Cancer Society ofMcCracken County in Kentucky and Southern Illinois.

When: 8 p.m.-midnight FridayWhere: Riverfront Event Center at Harrah’s

Metropolis Casino and Hotel

Contact: 888-512-7469 ormetropolis.frontgatetickets.com.

Tickets: $20; or reserve VIP tables and receive 10themed VIP gifts, 10 themed T-shirts and threeadditional drink tickets per person.

Fashion show to raise money for breast cancer patientsLocal breast cancer survivors will model the new fall

fashions from various University Mall stores at In Pink,In Style, a free fashion show and breast cancerawareness event Saturday afternoon in Carbondale.

Linsey Maughan, a 26-year-old breast cancersurvivor and Pinckneyville native, will host the eventand share her story. Linsey is one of five survivorambassadors for General Mills’ 2009 Pink Togethercampaign, a national program aimed at raising breastcancer awareness and spreading hope.

As an ambassador, Linsey is featured on GeneralMills products.

The In Pink, In Style event will also provide anopportunity for women and their families to receiveinformation about breast cancer diagnosis, treatmentand support resources. Attendees can also sign up towin door prizes, including University Mall gift cards.

Donations will be accepted for the Women WithHope support group, administered by Southern IllinoisHealthcare’s cancer care services. Anyone who makes adonation to the fund will receive a special pass thatentitles them to a same-day discount at participatingmall stores.

When: 1:30 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Grand Court in front of J.C. Penney,

University Mall, carbondale.

Take steps to get well and stay wellWomen can reduce their risk of breast cancer by

taking additional steps to stay well by maintaining ahealthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, andengaging in physical activity. Additionally, limitingalcohol consumption can reduce breast cancer risk.

Take part in the kick off for the 2010 Making StridesAgainst Breast Cancer.

When: 12:30-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25Where: Murphysboro Event CenterTickets: $25Info: Roxanne Conley at 618-998-9898 option 3 or

[email protected] more on cancer awareness: 800-227-2345.

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Estrogen fuels breastcancer yet doctors can’tmeasure how much ofthe hormone is in awoman’s breast withoutcutting into it. ACanadian inventionmight change that: Alab-on-a-chip that cando the work quickly withjust the poke of a smallneedle.

Several years of studyare needed before theexperimental devicecould hit doctors’offices, but the researchpublished Wednesdayopens the tantalizingpossibility of easy,routine monitoring ofvarious hormones.Doctors could use it tosee if breast cancertherapy is working, tellwho’s at high risk, or for

other problems, such asinfertility — maybe evenprostate cancer.

“It’s thought-provoking to think,‘What could I do with atool like this?”‘ said Dr.Kelly Marcom, breastoncology chief at DukeUniversity MedicalCenter, who wasn’tinvolved with the newinvention. “It opens upan avenue ofinvestigation thatwithout tools like this,you couldn’t explore.”

The University ofToronto researchers useda powerful newtechnology to measuretiny droplets of estrogenfrom samples at least1,000 times smaller thantoday’s testing requires.Called digitalmicrofluidics, it useselectricity to separateand purify droplets of the

hormone from a mix ofother cells — all on thesurface of a chip nobigger than a credit card.

“Droplets essentiallycan be made to danceacross the surface,” saidUniversity of Torontoengineer Aaron Wheeler,who co-invented thedevice and calls theproject “the most funI’ve had in science.”

The research waspublished in a newjournal, ScienceTranslational Medicine.

Here’s the problem:Scientists have longknown that estrogenplays a role in manybreast cancers. Whilehormone teststraditionally are donewith blood, estrogen isparticularly concentratedin breast tissue andbreast cancer patientshave much higher levels

than other women. Butmeasuring breastestrogen requires a fairlysubstantial biopsy, apainful and invasiveprocedure with its ownrisks. Then come hoursof intense laboratorywork to extract andpurify the estrogen fromthe mishmash of othercells. So that breast-testing is hardly everdone.

If doctors had a way toeasily monitor breastestrogen levels, theycould track which cancersurvivors are respondingto widely used estrogen-blocking therapies —tamoxifen or drugsknown as aromataseinhibitors — that aim toavoid a recurrence.

They might even shedlight on who’s at highrisk for developingcancer.

“The breast makes itsown estrogen,” explainedToronto gynecologyspecialist Dr. NohaMousa. “We have solidevidence that measuringestrogen inside thebreast is important. No. 1is to see if thesemedications areworking.”

The Toronto team putthe multi-step labprocessing onto thesurface of the new chip.Electrical currents movedroplets around the chip,allowing solvents andother chemicals todissolve a dried tissuesample and remove otherbiological substancesuntil just droplets ofestrogen are left. Theteam took small breasttissue samples — theamount pulled from aneedle instead of an openbiopsy — plus blood

samples from two breastcancer patients, andreported that the chipallowed accurateestrogen measurement.

Next up: Mousa willuse the technique tomeasure estrogen levelsin a soon-to-start studyof more than 200Canadian women at highrisk of getting breastcancer, who are testingwhether taking thoseestrogen-blockingaromatase inhibitors fora year lowers their risk.

But the technology isapplicable to more thanbreast cancer. Mousapoints to infertile womenwho have large amountsof blood drawn severaltimes a month to see iftreatment is sparkingovulation, saying she’salso testing whether thechip might substitutepinpricks of blood.

breast estrogen Digital microfluidicsuses electricityto separate and purifydroplets of the hormonefrom a mix of other cells— all on the surface of a chip no bigger than a credit card.

Chip measures

without invasive procedure BY LAURAN NEERGAARDTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS


Fatigue and weaknessare words cancersurvivors are very familiarwith.

In the past doctorsadvised rest.

Yes, thought SouthernIllinois UniversityCarbondale assistantprofessor Phil Anton, restcan be fine, but maybe the

survivors wanted to feelstronger. too. Maybe theyneeded something that’sgood for the body and thespirit.

So, in 2005, he decidedto do his doctoral research

project about the effectsof exercise on cancerpatients. That grew intothe Strong Survivorsprogram. Anton wasspurred on by memoriesof a 14-year-old cousin

who had battled lung andbrain cancer.

Initial grant moneycame through the LanceArmstrong Foundation,and then Southern IllinoisHealthcare continued the

funding.Anton gave cancer

patients free personaltraining and wroteexercises for them. Theone-on-one programsinclude walking,

SIUC program helps cancer patients recover, get fit.

Strong Survivors STEPHEN RICKERL / FOR THE SOUTHERN

Allison Jurgens demonstrates an exercise that helps participants in the 'Strong Survivors' program work on regaining their balance.



STEPHEN RICKERL / FOR THE SOUTHERNAllison Jurgens, a graduate student and coordinator for the Strong Survivors program, spotsPratibha Garg (left) during a demonstration recently at Davies Gymnasium.



resistance, flexibility andbalance training andaerobics. Basic nutritionadvice is provided too.

He is assisted by a staffof graduate assistantswho are exercisespecialists. A 12-weekprogram including weighttraining and aerobics isoffered at the CommunityHealth Educationcomplex at John A. LoganCollege.

In early October, theSIUC CancerRehabilitation Laboratoryopened in Davies Hall toprovide cancer survivorswith a place to maintaintheir program afterfinishing the JALCcourse. Exerciseequipment includestreadmills, cyclingmachines, weight

machines, barbells andmats.

“The benefits areenormous,” Anton said.“It reduces fatigue andincreases strength andendurance. There areemotional andpsychologicalcomponents too. Theexercise program givesthem a level of controlthey can achieve toimprove their outlook onlife and their quality oflife.”

Caregivers can attendthe sessions with thepatients.

“They sufferemotionally andpsychologically too,”Anton said.

So far about 135 cancerpatients have participatedin the program.

Vickie Morrow, a breastcancer survivor from DuQuoin, participated inAnton’s research projectafter surgery andradiation treatments lefther exhausted.

“It made me moreconscious of taking careof myself,” Morrow said.“I can’t imagine goingthrough the wholeexperience and nothaving his program. Itmade a world ofdifference for me.”

The seed for StrongSurvivors was plantedwhile Anton was astudent at the Universityof Northern Colorado.His faculty adviserfounded Rocky MountainCancer Rehabilitationwith a colleague who hadbreast cancer.


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Lipstick, moisturizer and awig can’t cure cancer. Butbeauty — and beauty products— can help heal wounded self-esteem, which often takes abig hit as patients undergocancer treatment.

Experts say hair loss, skindiscoloration and skin dryness

can undermine an alreadyphysically difficult andemotionally draining process.

“Some days I didn’t wantanyone to see me or even havemy husband look at me,’’ saysMichele VonGerichten, abreast-cancer survivor.“When you are waiting foryour hair to grow, you spend a lot of time lookinginto the mirror, just waitingfor a sign that you’re going

back to normal.’’In interviews, survivors

and counselors both say themoment a person doesn’trecognize herself in the mirrorbecause of physical changescaused by treatment can beone of the lowest points of theprocess. VonGerichten saysthe minute she took chargeand regained her beautyroutine, her spirits improved.

While she hopes never to

In cancer treatment,

It's about quality of life.

appearance isn't skin deep

AP PHOTO / LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTERLook Good Feel Better makeup artist Teresa Lopuchin works with a participantin the Look Good Feel Better program, which helps women cope psychologically.


BY SAMANTHA CRITCHELLAP FASHION WRITER


BREAST CANCER AWARENESSput on her wig again, shesays she’ll also never goback to the very long hairthat she had beforechemotherapy began lastMarch. Her hair is now “areally short version of theJamie Lee Curtis cut.’’

VonGerichten is one of650,000 female cancerpatients in this country toparticipate in the 20-year-old Look Good, Feel Bettercampaign, sponsored by thePersonal Care ProductsCouncil Foundation. Free toany cancer patient, theprogram offers tips from14,000 makeup and hairprofessionals from acrossthe country on all thingscosmetic: Topics includehow to style a wig, tie ahead scarf, fake eyebrowsand even out discoloredskin.

The beauty industry haslong been aligned withbreast-cancer charities, butthis isn’t about research tofind a cure; it’s aboutquality of life, explainsexecutive director LouanneRoark. It’s also a non-branded program, butindustry leaders like EsteeLauder and Avon eagerlyparticipate and havedonated $10 million worthof product over the years.

Most women participatethrough workshops at 2,500hospitals, cancer centers,American Cancer Societyoffices or other communityfacilities per year. There areself-help videos,workbooks and a Web sitefor those who don’t feelcomfortable in a groupsetting or can’t get to one ofthe classes.

“The goal is we sendeveryone home having hada wonderful experience andlearning the tools and tricksthey can replicate on a dailybasis,’’ says Roark.

The emphasis is hardlyon glamour or vanity, addsDr. Mary Jane Massie, apsychiatrist at New York’sMemorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center and a

spokeswoman for the LookGood program. But even theleast fussy person cravessome normalcy, andgrooming helps.

Sometimes it’s thewoman who really hadnever paid much attentionto makeup and hair beforewho seems to get the mostout if it. “You might not feellike a full functioningperson in a family or acommunity when you’reundergoing treatment,’’Massie says. “This programhas helped people learn tipsto prepare themselves topresent to their world in away that’s comfortable tothem.’’

She adds: “I saw abeautiful young womanyesterday with hairprobably 5 inches long. Itlooked beautiful, but shehad long, beautiful hair herwhole life and she thinkspeople see her as bald andas a `cancer victim.’’’

Marybeth Maida, abreast cancer survivor, saysshe wished every dayduring her treatment thatsomeone would notcomment about the way shelooked — no matter if thecomment was going to bepositive.

Maida recently teamedwith an old friend, DebbieKiederer, to write the book“Beauty Pearls for ChemoGirls’’ (Citadel) and launcha companion Web site.

“Our whole point is thatyou can’t get away fromwhat is happening to you,but you can embrace it, findthe beauty inside of you andbring it out,’’ she says.“Chemo doesn’t changewho you are, just what youlook like.’’

The authors tapped asexperts many in the fashionbeauty industry they hadencountered in their careersas a former journalist(Maida) and retailcosmetics executive(Kiederer), including OscarBlandi, Oribe and BetseyJohnson. Among the best

advice, says Maida, isencouraging women to gettheir natural hair cut shortbefore starting treatment sothe transition to baldness —and a wig — won’t seem sodramatic. She adds that youcan go almost anywherewith a wig, lipstick andsunglasses and you’ll looklike any other busy woman.

Appearance might seemtrivial in a life-or-deathsituation, but there areknown links between stressand the immune system,notes Katherine Puckett,national director of themind-body medicineprogram for the CancerTreatment Centers ofAmerica.

“Looking good helpswith confidence, whichhelps with stress, whichhelps immunity, whichhelps treatment,’’ she says.

The CTCA works underthe guideline that eachphase of cancer treatmentis connected to another,Puckett explains, andhaving a beauty salon onsite is certainly part of that.Some men will visit thesalon, she says, but it istypically women.

Still, once patients aredebriefed on the mind-body connection, Puckettsays she’s never seenanyone who isn’t receptiveto the idea that improvingself-esteem mightultimately improve health.

Paul Moskowitz, chiefoncology social worker atMontefiore-EinsteinCenter for Cancer Care inNew York, says he can seethe difference when apatient has either attendeda Look Good workshop orsome other sort of cosmeticcounseling.

“I can tell when they’vebeen applying lip productor if they’ve been fitted fora wig. It’s not even in theirappearance, but they’ll bemore talkative and you cansee a willingness to expressmore of their feelings, andthat’s all part of healing.’’

For Michele VonGerichten, hearing that she needed chemotherapy wasalmost as devastating as the diagnosis of breast cancer itself. She didn’tknow exactly what the side effects would be, but she knew that they woulddrastically change her appearance.

VonGerichten participated in a program called Look Good, Feel Better, anational public service program for cancer patients that addresses thephysical changes that are likely to come with treatment, such as hair loss,skin discoloration and dryness. And the workshop she attended near herSouth Florida home was time well spent.

“I hadn’t thought about by eyebrows or lashes. ... My hair had started togrow back, but I lost them almost overnight. It was a crippling blow to myself-esteem,’’ she says. “But I remembered I had been taught how to dealwith this.’’

The key to recreating brows is placement, according to the Look Goodcampaign. The spot where a pencil, held straight against your nose, hits thebrow bone would be the start of the brow. Use the pencil to create a diagonalline from the bottom corner of your nose to the outside corner of your eye.That’s the end point.

VonGerichten penciled in her brows with eyeliner and no one but herseemed to notice the change, she says.

Teresa Lopuchin, a Philadelphia-based makeup artist and volunteer withLook Good since its launch 20 years ago, offers other strategies:

� Tiny dots of eyeshadow along the lashline, preferably applied with adisposable brush or cotton swab, can mimic lashes.

� Use a cream eyeshadow instead of a powder, because the skin is verysensitive and powder is more likely to flake.

� The best color for lashes and brows would match or be just slightlydarker than your natural hair or wig color.

� Patches of dark skin, which range from the size of freckles to muchlarger, are best camouflaged with a cream concealer slightly lighter thannatural skin tone. Lopuchin suggests sticking to peachy shades.

� The Look Good Web site also recommends color-correcting concealersfor more specific issues: a green shade will help with redness, and a yellowcan mask blue discoloration.

� Dry skin needs gentle moisturizer and gentle lip balm — and a verygentle cleanser. That’s the step often missed, Lopuchin says.

Quick beauty tips for cancer patients

Working to find curesThe American Cancer Society has spent more on breast cancer

research than on any other cancer – having invested more than$388.4 million in breast cancer research grants since 1971.The majority of the Society’s basic cancer research projectsalso have a potential benefit for breast cancer.

The Society has been an important part of many majorbreast cancer research breakthroughs in recent history,

including mammography to screen for breast cancer, thedevelopment of tamoxifen and herceptin, and knowl-edge that genetics, diet,

lack of exercise, and moderate drinking increase a person’s cancer risk.SOURCE: Caleb Nehring, Senior Health Initiatives Representative American Cancer Society, Illinois Division

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