Breast Cancer Awareness

History and mission
The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October 1985 and was intended to increase awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection.

During NBCAM, women are encouraged to educate themselves about the disease, perform regular breast self-examinations, and schedule an annual mammogram.

The pink ribbon symbol
The first known use of the pink ribbon was in the fall of 1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed them out to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. In 1993, Evelyn Lauder (of Estée Lauder Inc.) founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and used the pink ribbon as its logo, popularizing the symbol and its association with the disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!

Early Detection Plan

The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. Create your Early Detection Plan to receive reminders to do breast self-exams, and schedule your clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history.

National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Early Detection iPhone App

The National Breast Cancer Foundation has released an iPhone app that helps women detect signs of breast cancer early. The app asks users specific questions about their age, family and health history, to determine how to best schedule self and professional exams.
The app details how to give yourself a self-exam. It also reminds women to perform monthly self-exams with push notifications, as well as clinical exams and mammograms.

What Is Beyond The Shock?

Beyond The Shock is a free, comprehensive, online guide to understanding breast cancer. It is a resource for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information.

My Breast Cancer Team

In late September, a new social network launched for women with breast cancer, called MyBreastCancerTeam. MyBreastCancerTeam gives women a network of others who’ve experienced the common experience of treatment. They can share feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated or scared.
The site is designed for women recently diagnosed, currently in treatment or a decade past their fight with cancer. MyBreastCancerTeam also has apps for Android and iOS.

Advanced Breast Cancer Community

There’s also an online community specifically for patients battling advanced breast cancer. AdvancedBreastCancerCommunity relaunched Oct. 1 with the help of 13 leading breast cancer advocacy groups, to provide resources for metastatic (stage IV) and advanced (stage III) breast cancer patients. These later form stages cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.



Save the Ta Ta's

Mosquito Facts and Tips

I am ALWAYS getting eaten up by Mosquitoes and when I saw the latest death in Texas last week it kind of made me worry just that much more about the possibility. 

Texas is battling an outbreak of West Nile virus, with 17 deaths being blamed on the mosquito-borne disease. 

What is West Nile virus (WNV)??

It is one of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) antigenic serocomplex of viruses, in the family Flaviviridae. It is found in both temperate and tropical regions, having been first identified in the West Nile sub-region in the East African nation of Uganda in 1937.

WNV mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, crocodiles^[1] and alligators.^[2]

The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Approximately 80 percent of West Nile virus infections in humans are without any symptoms.^[3] 

Bigger version of document.

There really are many things that are said to prevent mosquito bites and I ran across this information today and I am going to try a few of them and let you know how it went.

The first line of defense against mosquitoes is to seal their point of entry.
Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek
 areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and
doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze.

Try:

The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths,  wading pools and pet's water bowl twice a week. Keep your leaves-troughs clean and well-draining.  Remove yard items that collect water.

Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Herbal Armor, a nontoxic DEET-free repellent which is also recommended by National Geographic.

HERBAL ARMOUR Herbal Armor Outdoor Protection Insect Repellent Pump Spray offers a safe and

effective time released insect repellent containing five essential oils in a pleasant smelling, non greasy

 formula without petrochemicals in a convenient spray pump.



Want more information on other natural repellents?

 Check out http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2012/07/31/all-natural-bug-and-insect-repellent-reviews-10-brands/

You will find:
*What Makes a Natural Insect Repellent Work?
*A little comparison chart of what brand has what oils
*One More Thing: Does it Stain?

If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitoes.


Fresh Sage

Dried Sage

  

 

Fresh Rosemary

Natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle.  Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting  up t 5 - 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.

Peel a head of garlic, or more if you want to make a large amount of garlic juice at once.

2 Process the garlic cloves in a food processor  or blender until pureed. In the absence of a food

      processor, you can crush with a garlic press, over a small bowl.

Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is  a natural product and is safe to use.

Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a  fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.

Marigolds are robust plants that bring a lot of bright color to your garden. They are

rather easy to grow, enjoy sunny locations, and make great garden-mates for vegetables

- as their musky, pungent scent can help reduce meddlesome insect infestations.

They come in assorted colors, including commonly yellow, orange, orange-and-maroon,

and white.

Here are four more of the most effective mosquito repelling plants which
are easy to grow in most regions of the US:

1. Citronella
2. Horse mint

3. Ageratum

4.  Catnip

~~~To find out more about these plants just click the above link.

**I have also heard that putting a Bounce Dryer in your back pocket works, B1, B6 and spraying

peppermint oil mix works as well.

Like I said previously...Mosquitoes LOVE me for some reason. 

Keep in mind that just because it works for one person doesn't mean it

will work on everyone.  : ) 

I wish you luck on your Mosquito repelling.