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Breast Reduction Surgery Saved My Life
Read More: Breast Reduction Surgery Saved My LifeAs told to Jacquelyne Froeber February 4 is World Cancer Day. I’d wanted a breast reduction for pretty much my entire adult life. I often dreamed about what it would be like to work out — or just feel comfortable in my clothing — without constant back pain or the uncomfortable side effect of my…
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Conversación clínica: Preguntas y respuestas sobre el cáncer de mama con mutación del gen HER2
Read More: Conversación clínica: Preguntas y respuestas sobre el cáncer de mama con mutación del gen HER2English Octubre es el Mes de Concientización del Cáncer de Mama. Aproximadamente 1 de cada 5 cánceres de mama tienen mutación del gen HER2. Los cánceres con mutaciones del gen HER2 son un tipo de cáncer de mama con niveles altos de proteínas HER2, lo cual promueve el crecimiento y la reproducción de células cancerosas.…
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Clinically Speaking: Questions and Answers About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Read More: Clinically Speaking: Questions and Answers About HER2-Positive Breast CancerOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Around 1 in 5 breast cancers are HER2-positive. HER2-positive cancers are a type of breast cancer that contains higher-than-normal levels of HER2 proteins, which help cancer cells grow and multiply. HER2-positive cancers can spread quickly, but they also have one of the highest survival rates when diagnosed early, thanks…
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Understanding DCIS: Early Stage Breast Cancer
Read More: Understanding DCIS: Early Stage Breast CancerDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a very early form of breast cancer that makes up about 1 out 5 cases of breast cancer. While any cancer diagnosis is scary, DCIS is noninvasive and very treatable. With appropriate treatment and follow-up care, the outlook is excellent. And the five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with…
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Should You Do a Breast Self-Exam?
Read More: Should You Do a Breast Self-Exam?“Breast self-exams are no longer recommended.” When I saw that headline earlier this year, I thought it was a typo. As someone who found my own breast cancer lump that turned out to be stage 3 cancer, I was surprised to learn that many health organizations like the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute…
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What You Need to Know About a Breast Biopsy
Read More: What You Need to Know About a Breast Biopsy+ Flipbook text Slide 1 What You Need to Know About a Breast Biopsy Slide 2: What is a breast biopsy? A breast biopsy is a procedure that removes a small amount of tissue and checks it for cancer if something looks suspicious or has been found in your breast during screening. 8 out of…
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Lo que debes saber sobre las biopsias de mama
Read More: Lo que debes saber sobre las biopsias de mamaEnglish + Flipbook text Slide 1 Lo que debes saber sobre las biopsias de mama Slide 2: ¿Qué es una biopsia de mama? Una biopsia de mama es un procedimiento que remueve un poco de tejido para analizarlo y determinar si hay la presencia de cáncer, si algo tiene una apariencia sospechosa o si se…
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Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Means the Pandemic Isn’t ‘Over’ for Me
Read More: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Means the Pandemic Isn’t ‘Over’ for MeAs told to Jacquelyne Froeber October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was in the produce aisle of the Winn-Dixie when a grown man coughed on me. Loudly. I froze — a ripened tomato in my hand. I felt the weight of it and noted the subtle spray of the cough on its bright red…
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What You Should Know About Dense Breasts
Read More: What You Should Know About Dense BreastsEspañol September 25, 2024, is World Dense Breast Day. Mammograms? Nobody likes to have their breasts squished like a pancake. But now there’s a new reason to make sure you schedule one. As of September 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring that all mammogram reports include information about your breast density. This…
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My Cancer Was Missed Because of Dense Breast Tissue
Read More: My Cancer Was Missed Because of Dense Breast TissueAs told to Jacquelyne Froeber September 25, 2024, is World Dense Breast Day. After the mammogram, I sat in the waiting room wearing that god-awful paper gown. The lump surprised me. It was big enough for me to feel during a self-exam, about the width of a fingertip. But I wasn’t too worried — I’d…
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Olivia Munn’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis Is a Wake-Up Call for All Women
Read More: Olivia Munn’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis Is a Wake-Up Call for All WomenEspañol When actress Olivia Munn, 43, posted on Instagram that she’d been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, she not only received an outpouring of support, she used her celebrity status to raise awareness about the little known test that saved her life. The year before, Munn was checking health tests off her…
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El diagnóstico de cáncer de mama de Olivia Munn es una señal de alerta para todas las mujeres
Read More: El diagnóstico de cáncer de mama de Olivia Munn es una señal de alerta para todas las mujeresEnglish Cuando la actriz Olivia Munn, de 43 años, publicó en Instagram que recibió un diagnóstico de una forma agresiva de cáncer de mama, no solo recibió mucho apoyo, sino que usó su estatus de celebridad para concientizar acerca de una prueba poco conocida que salvó su vida. El año anterior, Munn estaba realizando pruebas…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer policy, Breast health, Medical tests, Prevention, Preventive health, Science
BRCA Testing 101
Read More: BRCA Testing 101If you’ve heard people talking about “breast cancer genes,” they probably were referring to BRCA — but they were only partly right. Everyone has BRCA (BReast CAncer) genes. And they protect you when they work correctly. “We all have two copies of the BRCA1 and 2 genes, and we want them to be functioning properly,”…
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After I Was Diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Had Another Shock
Read More: After I Was Diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Had Another ShockAs told to Erica Rimlinger I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have the fear. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was a senior in high school, and I was her caretaker until she passed away when I was 27. My mom’s genetic tests showed she carried the BRCA gene, which…
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Copy of
Read More: Copy ofMedically reviewed by Tesia McKenzie, M.D. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ve probably heard people ask what stage it is. So, what does that mean? Breast cancer staging can be complex. But to keep it simple, it’s the process of finding out how much cancer is in your…
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The Importance of Understanding Your Family History of Breast Cancer
Read More: The Importance of Understanding Your Family History of Breast CancerMedically reviewed by Christina Spears, M.S., CGC + Video transcript NARRATOR: Understanding your family history of cancer is important for understanding your own risk. About 5 to 10 breast cancers out of 100 are because of a single gene and may run in your family. We get one set of genes from each of our…
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With Metastatic Breast Cancer, I Can’t Control Much — But That Only Makes Me Fight Harder For a Cure
Read More: With Metastatic Breast Cancer, I Can’t Control Much — But That Only Makes Me Fight Harder For a CureAs told to Erica Rimlinger My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s, and my Ashkenazi Jewish heritage is a risk factor for breast cancer. So I started getting mammograms when I was 40, back before that was the recommended age for everyone. The second mammogram I had, at age 41, found cancer:…
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Support for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Read More: Support for Patients With Metastatic Breast CancerThis resource was created with support from Merck.
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Culture Shock, Then a Cancer Shock, Inspired Me to Create the Community I Needed
Read More: Culture Shock, Then a Cancer Shock, Inspired Me to Create the Community I NeededAs told to Erica Rimlinger I had my first mammogram at age 35 — my doctor started screening me early because of my family’s cancer history. That mammogram came back clear. Just 12 months later, when I went for my next mammogram, it revealed a large, rapidly growing tumor that had already reached stage 3A…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer policy, Breast health, Clinical trials, Espanol, Medical research and clinical trials
Por qué necesitamos más mujeres de raza negra e hispánica en ensayos clínicos de cáncer de mama
Read More: Por qué necesitamos más mujeres de raza negra e hispánica en ensayos clínicos de cáncer de mamaEn julio de 2021, Latoya Bolds-Johnson, una asistente médica del área de Washington, D.C. recibió un diagnóstico de cáncer de mama triplemente negativo (CMNT) de etapa 3. Debido a sus antecedentes médicos, Latoya supo en las primeras etapas de su tratamiento que deseaba participar en un ensayo clínico. Pero su oncólogo nunca mencionó un ensayo…
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Bringing Breast Cancer Care to You
Read More: Bringing Breast Cancer Care to YouYou know the famous air-travel analogy about putting on your own oxygen mask first so you can safely help others? For many women, this also applies when it comes to keeping up with preventive breast care. Screening mammography is the most effective tool for finding breast cancer in its early stages, yet many women find…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer policy, Breast health, Clinical trials, Medical research and clinical trials
Why We Need More Black and Hispanic Women in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Read More: Why We Need More Black and Hispanic Women in Breast Cancer Clinical TrialsIn July 2021, Latoya Bolds-Johnson, a physician assistant from the Washington, D.C., area, was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Because of her medical background, Bolds-Johnson knew early into her treatment that she wanted to participate in a clinical trial. But her oncologist never brought up a clinical trial and shut down the…
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Your First Mammogram: Step-by-Step Guide
Read More: Your First Mammogram: Step-by-Step GuideSpoiler alert: It’s true. They do flatten your breasts like a pancake, but getting a mammogram is worth it because they’re an important screening tool for breast cancer and early detection can save your life.
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Breast Health Glossary of Terms
Read More: Breast Health Glossary of TermsA | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | X A Affordable Care Act (ACA) – The health care law enacted in March 2010,…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer survivor, Breast health, cancer, Cancer survivor, COVID-19, Medical tests, Prevention, Real women real stories
I Thought My Swollen Lymph Nodes Were Side Effects From the Covid-19 Vaccine
Read More: I Thought My Swollen Lymph Nodes Were Side Effects From the Covid-19 VaccineAs told to Erica Rimlinger When I got my Covid-19 vaccine, I was told I might have side effects after the shot. Everyone’s immune system is different, so the list of side effects was long. I’d heard people say they were tired afterward or their arm hurt, but I guessed which side effects I’d get:…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer policy, Breast health, Medical tests, Preventive care, Racial disparities, Racism
Biopsies Confirm a Breast Cancer Diagnosis After an Abnormal Mammogram – but Structural Racism May Lead to Lengthy Delays
Read More: Biopsies Confirm a Breast Cancer Diagnosis After an Abnormal Mammogram – but Structural Racism May Lead to Lengthy DelaysBy Marissa Lawson, University of Washington and Christoph Lee, University of Washington While mammograms are often the first step to detecting breast cancer, patients need additional tests after an abnormal screening result. Further imaging can determine if a finding is truly suspicious for cancer, and sometimes a biopsy is required to confirm a diagnosis. But…
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15 minutes with, Breast cancer, Breast cancer survivor, Breast health, caregiving, Hpv, Real women real stories, Vaccines
15 Minutes With: Jaclyn Smith Talks to HealthyWoman on the 20th Anniversary of Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Read More: 15 Minutes With: Jaclyn Smith Talks to HealthyWoman on the 20th Anniversary of Her Breast Cancer DiagnosisJaclyn Smith, one of the original Charlie’s Angels, is an award-winning actress and entrepreneur who played Kelly Garret on the popular TV show for five years, among many other accomplishments. In 1985, Smith introduced a fashion line in K-Mart, becoming one of the first celebrities to develop her own brand. She has since gone on…
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As a Breastfeeding Mom Who Also Worked as a Lactation Consultant, I Thought My Breast Lump Was a Clogged Milk Duct
Read More: As a Breastfeeding Mom Who Also Worked as a Lactation Consultant, I Thought My Breast Lump Was a Clogged Milk DuctAs told to Erica Rimlinger My three children and I had an easy time breastfeeding, and I nursed my children for as long as possible. Friends teased, “Those babies are old enough to ask for a soda,” but I didn’t care. I’m an insurance agent by trade and a health advocate by passion. I taught…
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Where Metastatic Breast Cancer Can Spread in the Body
Read More: Where Metastatic Breast Cancer Can Spread in the BodyDesigned by Megan Schofield Metastatic breast cancer is a type of advanced breast cancer that has spread (metastasized) beyond the breasts. This is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. The symptoms and diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer depend on where the cancer has spread in the body. This will also influence the treatment options,…
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Ask the Expert About Advanced Breast Cancer
Read More: Ask the Expert About Advanced Breast CancerWhat is advanced breast cancer? Who makes up a breast cancer treatment team? Part 1 Who makes up a breast cancer treatment team? Part 2 Who makes up a breast cancer treatment team? Part 3 Who makes up a breast cancer treatment team? Part 4 How is a woman involved in her treatment plan and…
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Understanding Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment
Read More: Understanding Advanced Breast Cancer TreatmentMedically reviewed by Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
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The Truth About Being a Cancer Warrior
Read More: The Truth About Being a Cancer WarriorWhen I found out I had breast cancer, I decided to be open about my diagnosis. I wanted my interactions with people, even those on the outer rungs of my social circle, to be authentic — a quality I didn’t think I’d convey with an undisclosed elephant-sized cancer diagnosis in the room. Messages of support…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer survivor, Breast health, Health disparities, Medical tests, Prevention, Preventive health, Racial disparities
Why Do Women of Color Have Worse Breast Cancer Outcomes?
Read More: Why Do Women of Color Have Worse Breast Cancer Outcomes?In 2013, Katrece Nolen, a 47-year-old Black woman in Northern Virginia, noticed one of her breasts felt swollen. She called her doctor and was sent for a mammogram. The results did not confirm the presence of cancer, so Nolen was prescribed an antibiotic regimen for what was thought to be mastitis. Several weeks later, her…
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You Have Advanced Breast Cancer. What’s Next?
Read More: You Have Advanced Breast Cancer. What’s Next?I still remember that day so clearly. I was sitting across from my breast cancer surgeon when she held up an image. “It looks like a bomb went off in your chest,” she said. I thought this sounded a bit dramatic, but apparently the lump I discovered a few weeks earlier was just the tip…
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Chemo Day Is Always Better With Costumes, Wigs and Props
Read More: Chemo Day Is Always Better With Costumes, Wigs and PropsAs told to Erica Rimlinger The chemotherapy treatment center has a subdued, sterile energy. Since I’m fighting metastatic breast cancer, I spend a lot of time there. My friends and family have loaded me up with books, tea mugs and quilts to help me while away the hours during my chemo treatments. But I’ve never…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer survivor, Breast health, Medical tests, Prevention, Preventive health, Real women real stories
A Preventive Double Mastectomy Helped Me Fight Breast Cancer Before It Could Attack
Read More: A Preventive Double Mastectomy Helped Me Fight Breast Cancer Before It Could AttackAs told to Nicole Audrey Spector February is National Cancer Prevention Month. I was 18 years old when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ll never forget the way the doctor broke the news in the stark fluorescence of an ER exam room. He spoke to my father, as though my mother — the…
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Breast health, healthy aging, Heart disease, Menopause, Menopause matters, mental health, Perimenopause
How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About Menopause
Read More: How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About MenopauseDesign by Sarah Hoctor Medically reviewed by Dr. JoAnn V. Pinkerton
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My Breast Reduction Gave Me My Life Back
Read More: My Breast Reduction Gave Me My Life BackAs told to Shannon Shelton Miller When I was about 11 or 12, I started developing breasts like many girls my age. Unlike them, though, mine just kept growing. One could say I was “blessed” with large breasts pretty early on. My family and I were all surprised by this — no one in our…
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Building a Dream Team to Fight Metastatic Breast Cancer
Read More: Building a Dream Team to Fight Metastatic Breast CancerKatie Finley was shocked when she learned she had metastatic breast cancer (MBC). She wasn’t the only one. “The doctors were basically saying, Oops, we thought you had stage 2, but you actually have stage 4,” she recalled. “Everyone was scrambling on what to do next.” As she looked around the room at her care…
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Breast Surgery and Opioids: What You Need to Know
Read More: Breast Surgery and Opioids: What You Need to KnowErica Rimlinger didn’t know what to expect after her mastectomy. But she was feeling pretty anxious about the level of pain she’d be forced to experience. “My doctor gave me diazepam [a non-opioid medication used for anxiety, muscle spasms or seizures] to relax before I came to the hospital,” she recalled. “And then, before they…
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Breast cancer, Breast cancer survivor, Breast health, Medical tests, Prevention, Preventive health, Real women real stories
A Mammogram Saved My Life
Read More: A Mammogram Saved My LifeOctober 15 is National Mammography Day. As told to Jackie Froeber The mammogram stars aligned for me in 2017. I was working at St. Peter’s Health Partners and popped into a co-worker’s office to say hi. On her desk was a flier advertising free mammograms over the weekend for employees. I had just turned 40…
