Pink Initiative http://www.pinkinitiative.org Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:22:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The Pill http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-pill http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-pill#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:22:46 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1152 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

There have been some conflicting studies announced recently about the Birth Control Pill; one claiming that it does not increase the risk for breast cancer and then others that say the complete opposite. So who do you believe?

  • This Sept 2010 article (READ HERE) is quoted, “Last summer, in a study of more than 50,000 African-American women, Boston University epidemiologist Lynn Rosenberg found a 65 percent increase in a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer among those who had ever taken the birth-control pill. The risk doubles for those who had used the contraceptive within the past five years and had taken it for longer than 10 years.”
  • This other article (READ HERE) makes it all sound very lighthearted and minimal, “While there’s been a ton of research, there is still not hard evidence regarding breast cancer.”  The opposite of the above. (Side note: I find it very untrustworthy to have medical advice given on a site especially without a posted date. Is this 1 week old or 10 years?)
  • And to keep things interesting here is a tie-breaker article (READ HERE), stating that “Experts disagree about whether or not birth control pills cause breast cancer.”

With all of this jumbled contradiction, let me give my two-nonmedical-based-cents.  At 37 I was diagnosed with an estrogen fueled breast cancer. I had taken the pill for multiple years. It seems to me that common sense must prevail in this debate. The body was delicately designed. If a woman is given too much of a certain hormone that her body did not intend for it to have, consequences (aka cancer) will happen. End of debate.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-pill/feed 0 There’s an app for that. http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/theres-an-app-for-that http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/theres-an-app-for-that#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:31:11 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1089 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

Let’s face it.  We all get busy and if our iCal doesn’t send us a reminder, there’s a good chance we’ll forget for months and months, only to remember while driving in commute traffic, which is not helpful.

It’s so important to do your monthly breast exams!!

And to schedule your annual mammograms!!

I can harp all day long about this, but how about this instead.  Here are 2 FREE apps to help you remember!  Give them a try.

YOUR MAN REMINDER:

MOUNT CARMEL PINK LINK:

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/theres-an-app-for-that/feed 0 Breast Cancer by the Numbers Infographic http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/breast-cancer-by-the-numbers http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/breast-cancer-by-the-numbers#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:30:15 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1112 Read More >>]]> by Mia Toro

Pink Initiative has jumped on the infographic bandwagon with our very own Breast Cancer by the Numbers! Now, this isn’t just any infographic, this is the first of many opportunities for you to help spread awareness about Pink Initiative and breast cancer.

Pink Initiative will be sending along regular content for you to share with your respective audiences. For example, include this infographic in an upcoming newsletter, post it on your Facebook page or feature it in a blog post – whichever you fancy!  Please remember to link back to Pink Initiative, so we can all see how far we are able to spread breast cancer awareness.

Download your infographic here.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/breast-cancer-by-the-numbers/feed 0 Parabens. The cause of breast cancer? http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/parabens-the-cause-of-breast-cancer http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/parabens-the-cause-of-breast-cancer#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:06:29 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1081 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

I’ve been hearing more and more about Parabens lately. Mostly reading statements of “paraben free” on my cosmetics and shampoo, which lead me to the questions…

  • What is a paraben? “Parabens are chemicals used as a preservative in a number of cosmetics and personal care products including deodorant, shampoo, makeup, lotions and oral care products, as well as in processed food items and some pharmaceutical products.”
  • And is it bad for me? “The estrogen-mimicking properties of most parabens are believed to be a factor responsible for the rising cases of breast cancer.”

These are some hefty claims, so in the meantime I plan to watch my labels more carefully and follow these studies to see where this all leads.

*Source: Jill Ettinger, Huffington Post

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/parabens-the-cause-of-breast-cancer/feed 0 I See Pink…do you? http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/i-see-pink-do-you-3 http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/i-see-pink-do-you-3#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:05:17 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1049 Read More >>]]> by Mia Toro

Happy Valentine’s Day! On a day filled with so much love & lots of pink, we invite you to participate in our I See Pink campaign. This campaign allows Pink Initiative members, followers, fans, vendors and fellow breast cancer supporters an opportunity to spread awareness each time they ‘see pink’.  And the best part is, it is fabulously simple!

Whether it’s baby pink candy hearts, a bridal bouquet of magenta tulips or a pink breast cancer ribbon bumper sticker – we all ’see pink’ on a daily basis.  All you have to do is snap a photo with your camera or smart phone whenever you see something pink (i.e., lovely pink roses from your sweet Valentine, cupcakes with pink icing or your brand new Pink Initiative Sea Bag) and send it our way!

If you follow us on Twitter, tweet your snapshot and mention @PinkInitiative.  Be sure to use the hastag #ISeePink and we will retweet your pink sighting.  If you like us on Facebook, post your photo to the Pink Initiative wall.  If you’re not on Twitter or Facebook, no worries!  Email your photos to mia.toro@gmail.com and I will tweet or post them for you (giving you all the credit, of course!).

So, who’s ready to add some pink to their day?

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/i-see-pink-do-you-3/feed 0 2 Possible Precursors to Breast Cancer http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:27:12 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1028 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

The question that we all want to know the answer to is, “What the heck is causing cancer?!”  There are hundreds of theories that are tirelessly being studied by very smart people who wear lab coats, so I’ll leave that to the pros.  However what I have read about more and more are 2 precursors which may contribute to the cause of breast cancer:

1.  Low vitamin D in the system.
2.  Low or high thyroid condition.

Both can be determined through a simple blood draw at your annual physical, and I highly recommend knowing.  If you do answer yes to one or both, you can begin taking preventative action and possibly keep the big C away!  Or at the very least you’ll be more diligent with your self exams and mammograms – all very important tools for early detection.

As a BC conqueror myself, I did have low vitamin D + low thyroid and it makes me wonder what could have been different if I had been more diligent…

You can read more on this topic HERE.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer/feed 0 New Year. New Job. Reflecting on my professional journey. http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:24 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1020 Read More >>]]> by Kelsie Guerriero

As I soak up the spirit of the holidays and anticipate all that’s ahead in the New Year, I think it’s also a nice time to reflect on the year that’s coming to a close.

In June my husband, Rejean, and I moved back to Boston so that he could continue to pursue his training in pediatric neurology at The Children’s Hospital. When you factor in medical school and residency, we’re six and a half years in to a nine year commitment (but who’s counting?!). His perseverance throughout training and genuine dedication to patient care is something that continues to inspire me. While his career has been the driving force behind our moves and transitions over the last several years, I’ve experienced my own professional “journey”, too.

In 2008 I was let go from my advertising job and toyed with the idea of shifting to a career in health and wellness. I was frustrated, tired, burnt out. Despite the lack of sleep and constant pressure to perform, I was a bit envious of Rejean’s path. I wanted to dedicate myself to something that would “make a difference”, so I dabbled in personal training and thought seriously about a MS in Nutrition, but nothing felt quite right. Plus, we anticipated having to move in 2009 and again in 2011 to accommodate residency training, so I decided to sit tight.

Our move in 2009 was to Western Massachusetts and I found myself working for a sustainable seafood company doing their marketing, public relations, online content management, social media…you name it – I did it. It was tremendously challenging and a wonderful learning experience, but I knew I wanted to be part of something larger.

Our 2011 move brought us back to Boston and I was thrilled to land at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. As Assistant Director of Development Marketing, I manage a variety of events and programs that support the lifesaving mission of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. My team writes and produces the print materials, websites/social media, advertising, and premiums that help our front line fundraisers generate the crucial financial support that fuels our physician scientists’ ground-breaking cancer research and compassionate patient care. I’m extremely grateful to have found a position that allows me to draw on my marketing background, yet also bring my passion for health and wellness and my dedication to Pink Initiative to work with me everyday.

As you embark on 2012, I hope you take time to reflect on the year coming to a close, as well. Chances are if you’re still reading this – like me – you’re invested in a future without cancer, and you’re interested in Pink Initiative’s efforts toward that end. While 2011 was a successful year with the launch of our new website and our partnership with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® as our 2011 fundraising recipient, we can’t lose momentum. Your continued generosity is crucial to our efforts and we can’t thank you enough for joining us in the fight against breast cancer. On behalf of all of us at Pink Initiative, we wish you a happy – and most importantly healthy – New Year.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey/feed 3 The Mammogram Squeeze http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:19:57 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=979 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

Many women avoid their annual mammogram screening based on the fear of the unknown.  Here are 5 tips to help you understand what to expect:

1.  Setup a 6 month reminder.  Schedule your screening during an occasion that you’ll remember each year; birthday, new year, etc.

2. Wear something two-piece the day of.  This way you only have to remove your top and not your bottoms.

3. Yes it kind of hurts. Just when you think it can’t get any tighter, they will clamp down a little bit more but it’s because they care!!  And honestly, the discomfort only lasts for a few seconds so just do it!

4. Do not wear any deodorant, lotion or perfume on or near the chest the day of.

5. The technician looks at the X-ray films to make sure the image is clear, NOT to look for cancer.  You’ll have to wait for the results.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze/feed 0 Raising Hope http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:03:07 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=969 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

The October issue of Better Homes & Garden had a very nice feature titled Raising Hope, focusing on 6 innovations that are improving detection, treatment and quality of life.  Here’s just a snapshot of the article:

1.  Mammograms in 3-D: New and improved imaging that captures X-ray images from multiple angles and has the ability to see through multiple layers of tissue.
2.  Screenings with Benefits: To nudge patients into their annual mammograms, some medical centers are offering manicures and massages.
3.  Reconstruction without the Wait: A UCLA study shows that immediate reconstruction after a mastectomy does not increase any risk factors.
4.  Support Groups: Research shows that support groups can improve the overall quality of life in BC survivors.
5.  Lymph Node: A team of US researchers are challenging the usual protocol to remove all lymph nodes if they test positive for cancer; an invasive surgery with sometimes difficult lifelong challenges.
6.  Patients Shape the Law: In 2009 a recently diagnosed woman got fed up and instituted legislation that will positively affect the lives of women state and country wide.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope/feed 0 And The Winner Is… http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:43:39 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=992 Read More >>]]> by Mia Toro

On October 1st we kicked off an informative online relay contest for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  We are humbled by the number of people who helped us share breast cancer facts and information; spreading awareness and education to our online community.  Thank you!

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for – the winner of the 2011 Pink Initiative Relay is…

Invitation Consultants [@fabulousinvites]

Congratulations!!!  You are the proud, new owner of a custom Pink Initiative Sea Bag tote (valued at $150).  Thank you to everyone who participated.  Keep up the great work and continue to spread breast cancer education and awareness year-round!

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is/feed 1