Laura Varon Brown
Join the conversation about breast cancer!
Posted at 10:16 AM on 10/01/06

We recently published an entire issue focused on breast cancer awareness. If you have a personal story of survival, an insight that has helped you, or just a comment that might help somebody else...this is a great place to share it with others. Please add your comments to this thread.

Posted by m | 11/04/06 at 11:11 PM

I was diagnosed at age 34, 10 months after I found a lump the doctor said was nothing. Because of my age it was not taken seriously. By the time a second tumor arrived, I had a different doctor who actually paid attention to me. Just have two things to say. 1- Don't blindly believe any doctor. Ask to see his/her notes and the doctor's copy of all radiology reports from any tests. I promise you they look nothing like what you receive in the mail. 2- It is not about what cancer gets the most exposure. Leukemia was the first to use chemo and the first to perform stem cell transplants. Many persons with many cancers have benefited from both of these advances. Point is, don't get so hung up on any one cancer. Any research is important. The results may benefit more than expected.

Posted by Wingy | 11/01/06 at 10:22 AM

I AM SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT TIT CANCER!!! Guess what? There's plenty of other "life-threatening" diseases out there and you don't hear all the victims whining non-stop about it like the broads who are all about this.

Posted by penelope avesian | 10/21/06 at 10:47 AM

While I sympathize with anyone who has cancer, I am dismayed at all the excessive media awareness given to breast cancer. Isn't it time to spread that support to some of the more life threatening cancers out there?
Everybody knows that October is Breast Cancer awareness month. Does anyone know what cancer awareness is featured for the month of November? It's great to be number one in most things. There's one area that being number one is not good. Lung Cancer is THE NUMBER ONE KILLER of all cancers. November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. It kill 18 people every hour, 170,000 a year. It is sadly undersupported, underfunded and misunderstood. 15-20% of people who get it are non-smokers. Yes, smoking is a contributor to the disease but it shouldn't matter.

As you might have surmised, I have lung cancer. I am a non-smoker who was diagnosed 2 years ago with stage 4 non small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer. I have been through many chemotherapy treatments as well as radiation. I am still hanging in there but there is only a 10-15% survival rate. Donations made to LunGevity, www.lungevity.org, and the Lung Cancer Alliance, go exclusively to funding lung cancer research. Awareness is key. Your help is appreciated. Thank you for listening.

Posted by Trish | 10/17/06 at 8:18 AM

Hi I was diagnosed in July and I just had my second round of chemo. My sister died from breast cancer 12 years ago so I have been getting my mammograms regulary. My friends and family have been here for me and it is very important to stay poistive although I so have "my days." I started a journal on line and it really helps me keep my my family and friends in touch with whats goin on.
http://journals.aol.com/gosso23/my-breast-cancer-story/

Posted by Nicole M | 10/06/06 at 5:00 PM

Everyone who's reading this knows someone who has fought or conquered breast cancer, and these women deserve recognition for their strength and courage. I want to let you all know about an online quilt where you can create a "patch" with a personal message of inspiration, encouragement, or remembrance. This quilt was started by Prevention magazine to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Prevention started this annual quilt last year, and more than 3,500 people contributed patches. And we want to honor even more women this year--so if you'd like to say something for your mother, sister, friend or even yourself, please visit http://breastcancerquilt.prevention.com/bcq2006/. You can add a new patch throughout the entire month of October.

Posted by Angela W | 10/03/06 at 2:58 PM

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of this year, and 5 surgeries (one to go!) and 16 weeks of chemo later, I'm healthy! At 35, I only went for a mammogram because my doctor felt a lump, but the results came back normal the first year. A year later, it had grown, and I got really nervous, and this time I had good reason. The second mammogram showed something sinister...
I encourage any woman with a family history of breast cancer to get EARLY mammograms...don't wait until you are 40, because if I had, I would never have made it to 40!
Family and friends are so important during all of the emotional roller coaster rides, so by all means let them be a part of the process. My entire year has been an education to those around me, and if it means one person who I love doesn't get this disease because they know what to do now, then every ounce of pain was worth it!

Posted by Pam Ford | 10/03/06 at 10:45 AM

Thank you for this wonderful magazine. I am Pam Ford, 38, and after my very first mammogram I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am a newly wed of only 25 days, with a wonderful man and two lovley children. Through my faith I am healed already. I have yet to undergo surgery. I am starting now, but after surgery I would like to advise and inspire women of all ages to get an early start. It can be conquered and you can win!

Posted by beverly miller | 10/01/06 at 10:49 PM

My name is Beverly Miller, I am a 13 year breast cancer survivor, and I have helped many women get through this disease as well as their chemo and radiation, I went through all of this myself, and what a better way to help others after you have done it yourself, I will be willing to help anyone who may need my help and encouragment to be a survivor like me, I have been through a lot because this disease has taken many in my family, so feel free to contact me and I will help you, may God bless all of the people who go to this website.

Posted by Monica M | 10/01/06 at 8:42 PM

I have a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and she is very optimistic in her journey. I believe your perception in a situation that seems bleek has a lot to do with the outcome. I would like to encourage women and men with breast cancer that everyday that you wake up is a day to be thankful for because that day is filled with hope, love and prayer. I pray everyday for my friend and I believe it works!

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