Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • October 20, 2010 National Breast CancerAwareness Month Celebrity may bring a person riches and fame, but it cannot protect against cancer. There are many famous women who have experienced breast cancer and beat the disease. Here’s a look at some of them. Suzanne Somers. The famous infomercial guru and former star of “Three’s Company” battled breast cancer, facing controversy when she opted for holistic treatment over standard treatment. Olivia Newton John. The Australian singer and star of the popular movie “Grease” was diagnosed in 1992. Newton John had a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Rue McClanahan. The late star of “Golden Girls” found a lump in 1997. Linda Ellerbee. A journalist and 1991 survivor, Ellerbee had a bilateral mastectomy. Lynn Redgrave. The late Redgrave hailed from a family of actors. She was also a breast cancer survivor. Anastacia. The pop singer was diagnosed in 2003 and now does her part for raising awareness. Christina Applegate. The child and adult star underwent surgery to have both her breasts removed in an operation known as a prophylactic double mastectomy after experiencing cancer and discovering she carries the gene for it. She has learned from the experiences of her mother, a double breast-cancer survivor. Melissa Etheridge. The singer is doing quite well after a 2004 diagnosis. She is well known for singing bald at a Janis Joplin tribute concert while undergoing treatment. Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. These two “Charlie’s Angels” stars both survived breast cancer. Edie Falco. The actress discovered the cancer in 2003 and secretly battled it. Cynthia Nixon. The “Sex and the City” star was diagnosed in 2006 and first kept the news a secret for fear of being hounded by the paparazzi. Sheryl Crow. The singer caught her breast cancer early in 2006 with a routine mammogram. Kylie Minogue. The Australian singer almost missed the diagnosis until her intuition told her to be tested again. A partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation followed. Robin Roberts. The news anchor discovered a lump in 2007 after a self-examination. Famous breast Practicing breast self-awareness cancer survivors Early detection of breast cancer is the single-most effective way to beat the disease. That is why it is essential for women to conduct their own breast exams to discover any potential anomalies early. While doctors stress the importance of self-examination, many women still show up for routine wellness visits admitting they don’t do examinations because they simply don’t know how. Perhaps because the practice was given the formal name “breast self-exam.” Today, however, doctors tell women to have “breast self-awareness.” That means women don’t have to follow a set protocol regarding checking for breast changes, and simply being aware of how the breasts look and feel is key. Why the change in the formalities? Doctors have determined that most women notice a lump in their breasts while doing routine activities, such as bathing or dressing. They also figured out that a formal method of examining the breasts was not necessary. Lumps can be found simply by touching the breasts in any pattern, as long as the entire breast is checked. To demystify the process even further, follow these guidelines. Breasts are best checked for changes directly after a menstrual period. At this time the breast tissue will be softer and less tender due to diminishing hormone levels. Look at the breasts every day and notice their appearance and shape. Recognizing subtle differences can help alert a doctor if something is amiss. Be conscious of these changes: changes in breast size, shape, skin texture, or color; dimpling or puckering of the breast; discharge from the nipples; scaliness of the skin; nipple pulling to one side; lump or mass in the breast; enlarged lymph node under the arm. Any changes or questions about breast condition should be promptly brought up with a doctor. Women should know their risk for breast cancer. While there isn’t a definitive genetic correlation, the high rate of breast cancer in one family may mean a particular woman is more at risk. Get routine screenings at a doctor’s office. Women over the age of 40 should get a mammogram every year. But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? ��������������������������������� ������������ ������� ��������� ������ ����������� ������������������� ������������������� Dear Advertisers, October is... Awareness Month The staff of The Villadom TIMES has chosen this month to offer a focus on Women’s Health Issues and Breast Cancer Awareness. We look forward to your support by including your advertising message in this feature section throughout the month of October, which will afford us the opportunity to inform, share and educate our readers on issues of significance to all of us. Call the Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. Breast Cancer ������������������������ ����������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������ Publication: Deadline: October 27 October 20 201-652-0744