Breast Cancer: Stuff They Never Tell You

Survivors are part of a sisterhood, whether they choose to be or not. And sharing stories – funny, sad, ironic – is what sisters do best.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Hearing the words, "I'm sorry, but it's cancer," comes as a shock to anyone, and I never thought I would hear them that day. I was in my mid-40s, a marathon runner, healthy eater, non-smoker, no family history. The only real risk factor I had was giving birth to my first child after age 30. I cried (hysterically), I went for a long run the next morning, I got a second opinion, I told only a handful of people and I went about my busy life trying not to think about it.   I made a list of other women I knew who had fought – or were fighting – this awful disease. In a few moments, I came up with more than 15 names of women in my community, most of whom were right around my age. Clearly, I was not …

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Show Us Your Pink Pride in South County, Arnold

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by uploading photos of your and/or your family and friends supporting the cause.

Showing off your pink pride during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a favorite thing to do with survivors and supporters alike. Thousands of hats, shirts, and other pink breast cancer items were sold this October. Millions of tiny pink ribbons were worn to support the cure for breast cancer and hope for many women. Also, countless numbers of people show support of Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in fundraising events. Did you strap on your pink running shoes for the Komen Race for the Cure? Have you joined a local support group? Did you attend this weekend's Spine and Joint Center's Survivor Walk or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer? (Several waitresses from Helen Fitzgerald's were present at the latter as the team "…

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Breast Cancer Awareness: Tell Us Someone We Should Remember

The Internet is full of the names and pictures of people who have survived breast cancer, or lost the battle. Is there a name or a story you'd like to share?

Outer Beauty Tips Lead to Inner Strength for Women with Breast Cancer

Resources for women fighting breast cancer that your doctor doesn't offer.

By the nature of its side effects, cancer treatment can make a private battle a very public affair. For a woman with cancer, having a bald head, pale skin or a missing breast can make her feel like she's being targeted by a bright spotlight and a banner that says, "Cancer patient." But now more than ever, there are resources for women that will put the spotlight back on their work, their accomplishments and their life—and change that banner to simply read, "Woman." Locally, Ann's Bra Shop and Metropolitan Cosmetic Laser Center specialize in helping women with cancer. Across the county, Girl on the Go provides private or in-home wig consultations for women with cancer, with locations in 12 states, including Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, …

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Breast Cancer in Young Women: Resources in South County, Arnold

Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.

Generally speaking, 121 women out of every 100,000 in Missouri have a chance of getting breast cancer, according to this breast cancer statistics chart from komen.org. An American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to the website. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. …

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SHARE: Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors in South St. Louis County

"Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors" shares the wisdom of breast cancer survivors with the newly diagnosed. What's your story?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the greatest challenges for those who have been newly diagnosed is finding sources of support. Patients are eager for information on everything from enduring surgery and chemotherapy to how to deal with hair loss. While there are many local resources and support groups available in South St. Louis County, women can also find comfort in a sisterhood of survivors who have already been in their shoes. If you've been affected by breast cancer, share your story with Patch so we can share it with our neighborhoods. Submit a photo or video by clicking the "Upload" button on this page, or publish a blog post instantly and for free. Best selling author and breast cancer survivor Barbara …

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Where to Get a Breast Examination in South St. Louis County

Early detection of breast cancer through routine exams saves thousands of lives every year.

Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of a cure. That in itself is the most important reason to make an appointment today for a breast exam or mammogram. Call or visit these medical ceneters for breast exams and mammograms: Going for an exam can be nerve-wracking. To better understand the importance of exams, here's helpful information that explains the process, when you should go and why: Breast self-exams There has been a lot of heated debate in the research and medical communities about the usefulness of breast self-exams in detecting breast cancer in the early stages. One cancer research organization has even said it’s a myth. The American Cancer Society’s guidelines state that women don’t need …

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Pink Products Abound During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Many of the products help raise funds for breast cancer research.

Because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are any number of "pink" goods available to stores throughout St. Louis. In many cases, a portion of the proceeds from sales is donated to charities or breast cancer-related facilities. The St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, for example, which raises money region-wide to fund breast health and breast cancer screening, treatment, education and support programs, has its own Komen-approved merchandise website called ShopKomen.com. Proceeds from the sale of the jewelry, watches, shirts and hundreds of other items help Komen support its mission in the St. Louis area. There also are dozens of fund-raising opportunities with the group. One unique example of a "pink…

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