Breast Cancer Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Melanie Young- Fearless Fabulous You!

When the Cancer Doctor Becomes the Cancer Patient- Lessons Shared by Dr. Susan Love

On November 13, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show

Dr. Susan Love, author of the best selling “Dr Susan Love’s Breast Book” and founder of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, has made it her life’s mission to pursue research to find both a cause and cure for this disease which affects 1 in eight women. Her commitment to help end cancer became even more clear when Dr. Love was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and experienced being The Cancer Patient. I heard Dr. Love discuss her personal experience and how it impacted her view as a medical professional at the 2013 National Women’s Cancer Survivor Convention in Nashville. I was taken by

Are New Breast Screening Recommendations Hit or Miss-Guide(d)lines?

On October 26, 2015 / Breast Cancer

When I heard the news that the American Cancer Society revised its guidelines for mammograms and clinical breast exams I thought about my friend Julie. She was diagnosed at the age of 44 with stage 4 breast cancer and died two years later. No family history; average risk. A mammogram found Julie’s tumor. Under the new guidelines Julie may not have had that mammogram. Neither would have other women I know diagnosed in their early 40s with early stage breast cancer who are still alive thanks to early detection. Despite criticisms that mammograms can result in false positive reports, especially for younger women who

Getting Things Off My Chest: A Bitter Pill To Swallow: The Cost of Getting Sick

On October 4, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Finances, Women at Work

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 I was running a successful wine and food public relations agency, eating at the top restaurants and visiting the world’s great wine regions. Five years later, I came to a point where I considered applying for food stamps. My income was dried up and I was behind on my house payments. How did this happen to me? I learned I was not alone and should not be ashamed. I decided to speak out and learn more. According to a University of Michigan study 25 percent of breast cancer survivors reported financial

Fearless Fabulous Women: Ann Ogden Gaffney: Cook for Your Life

On October 1, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Cooking Tips, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Nutrition and Diet

In the early 1990s, fashion industry executive Ann Odgen Gaffney found herself cooking and caring for a designer in the industry fighting AIDS, The experience taught her to be fearless which was especially helpful when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2001. Fortunately, Ann recovered following her surgery and her life went back to a new normal….well, sort of. A second diagnosis of unrelated breast cancer came later and was a more difficult journey with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Ann learned from this experience that cooking was solace and nutrition was essential to manage side effects from treatment and support

SHARE Provides Peer Support for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer

On September 3, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Women's Cancers

Most people are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but how many of you are also aware that September Is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? At the end of this article I have provided a graph to give you a brief understanding of the impact both breast and ovarian cancer have on women in the United States of all ages and backgrounds, What’s important to also understand is that if you or a loved one is diagnosed with either disease, you don’t have to feel alone. There is an amazing support network available through organizations like SHARE, a non-profit whose mission

Breast Cancer Is Not Just One Disease- Fearless Fabulous You Aug 17

On August 14, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show

Many people, including myself until I was diagnosed in August 2009, never really understand the complexity of breast cancer, which affects 1 in 8 women. Breast cancer impacts women- and men- of all ages and cultural backgrounds. While lifestyle choices may help reduce your risk, there are many factors that can be related to a breast cancer diagnosis such as genetics and family history, but there is no one cause. And anyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer should not feel any blame or shame, or a “what if” or “if only” mind set. The focus should be on getting the best treatment

When the Glass Is Greener

On July 26, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Cooking Tips, Healthy Living

I finally took the plunge. After reading about the benefits of juicing from wellness warriors like Kris Carr and Joe Cross, and to prep for my radio interview with Daily Greens Founder Shauna Martin, I decided to give it a try. First I had to find the juicer. David had purchased a Breville when I was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago thinking we (he) would juice my way to better health. I don’t recall ever using it. I forgot we actually had a juicer and tried to liquefy fruits and vegetables in my KitchenAid blender. But there was too

This Young Mom Kicked Cancer in the (Gr)ass Going Green and Clean

On July 24, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living, Inspiring Women, Nutrition and Diet

Walking the aisles of the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show this year I was on the prowl to find healthy and delicious foods made by people with an inspiring story and mission. I found it in Shauna Martin, Founder of Daily Greens™. Shauna is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed on July 28, 2004, at the age of 33, the date of her son’s birthday. Just three weeks later her younger sister, Tamara, was also diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. Two sisters are diagnosed at an early age with breast cancer with no

Fearless Fabulous You: Cancer Community Activist Mailet Lopez

On June 26, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Inspiring Women, Life As We Know It, Making Things Happen

Every cancer survivor I speak with remembers their “cancer-versary.” It’s the date you were diagnosed. And every cancer survivor will tell you hearing the news is gut wrenching. Your head spins; your heart skips a beat, and many people, including myself, go numb or break down in tears. Imagine being a beautiful young woman whose life is filled with promise hearing this news. Maybe you are newly married or a new mother. Maybe you are a fun loving single gal who looks forward to finding that someone special. The future and its possibilities seem limitless. Then cancer pays an unwelcome visit

Fearless Fabulous You! Molly MacDonald, The Pink Fund’s Angel for Women in Need Fighting Breast Cancer

On June 13, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show

No woman facing a life threatening illness should be forced to make a decision between getting the treatment she needs and feeding her family. @ThePinkFund @mightymelanie #fearlessfabulousyou Diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in April 2005, Molly MacDonald was thankful in knowing the disease was unlikely to take her life. But it did take away her livelihood. In between jobs at her time of diagnosis and facing an already tight family budget and mounting medical debts, Molly and her family came close to losing their home and relying on a local food bank to feed her family of five children. When Molly’s quest to

10 Steps for Better Breast Health

On May 15, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show

This week food media celebrity Sandra Lee shared the news that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 48. When any woman receives the news that she has breast cancer it’s a terrible shock. To share the news and say the words “I have breast cancer” out loud for the first time is incredibly painful. I think everyone chokes. I know I did for months. Ms Lee’s specific cancer, DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), is relatively common. It’s also considered noninvasive, and can normally be treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. After undergoing a lumpectomy, further tests revealed Lee’s margins were not clear

Fearless Fabulous Women: Judy Pearson & Karen Shayne

On May 8, 2015 / Breast Cancer, Fearless Fabulous You Radio Show, Healthy Living, Inspiring Women, Making Things Happen

I have a special place in my heart for four kinds of women: Dreamers, Doers, Do-Gooders and Survivors. Judy Pearson and Karen Shayne are all four rolled up into two beautiful bodies of energy with huge hearts and super-sized souls. They are co founders of the Women Survivors Alliance and the annual National Women’s Survivors Convention (“Survivorville”) and publishers of Nou Magazine. Their mission is “to establish a network where women affected by cancer can find their voice, improve their quality of life and embrace their second acts.”