Employees at Providence Health & Services, a hospital in Portland, Oregon, created a fun video to generate breast cancer awareness. The video has received over 3 million views. The song is the video is Jay Sean's "Down." Take a look:
CNN says the video, which features over 200 of the hospital's employees, has gone viral. Take a look:
Video: Betsey Johnson Talks Lifetime Achievement Award, Does Cartwheel
Designer Betsy Johnson appeared on Good Day New York to discuss being awarded the Medal of Honor for Lifetime Achievement in Fashion from the National Arts Club's fashion committee. Betsey was awarded the medal at a black tie affair, where a retrospective of her designs were displayed. Betsey is a breast cancer survivor and spends a great deal of time fundraising for breast cancer charities. She talks about how she discovered she had breast cancer after having her breast implants. Betsey attributes her longevity in the business to a youthful outlook: she ends every runway show (and this television interview) with a cartwheel. Take a look:
Video: Melissa Etheridge Talks About Breast Cancer
Melissa Etheridge sings at the Hard Rock Cafe to promotes a month-long breast cancer awareness program. Melissa talks about her breast cancer diagnosis five years ago and how it changed her life. Melissa underwent chemotherapy and is now cancer free. Take a look:
Scientific Breakthrough: Faulty Gene Present in 50% of all Breast Cancers Discovered
In what is being being hailed as the most significant breast cancer research finding, scientists have discovered
a gene that is faulty in 50% of all breast cancers.
The finding will help researchers understand how cancer develops and may in future lead to new treatments, they said.
Everyone is born with the gene, called NRG1, but in some people it gets damaged during their lifetime and this can lead to cancer developing, it has been found.
Damaged NRG1s have been found in half of breast cancers and it has also been implicated in half of all prostate and bowel cancers along with one quarter of ovarian and bladder cancers.
When the gene works properly it acts as a brake, stopping cancer cells from growing, but when it is damaged the brakes are off, allowing the cells to multiply into a tumour.
Everybody is born with an intact NRG1 but it gets damaged in some people during their lifetime, thereby enabling cancer to develop.
The exact reason why the gene is damaged is lost has not yet been discovered.
However, by identifying the gene, experts hope they will be able to target therapies at specific cancers in the future.
Researchers say that the finding is a major step forward in understanding how cancer develops. They are hoping to find ways to bypass the gene or create a treatment that would heal the defect in the gene.
Researchers Discover Compound That Kills Cancer Stem Cells
U.S researchers have discovered a compound which could revolutionize breast cancer treatment. The compound kills the breast cancer stem cells that are responsible for growing new cancer cells. They are called "master cells" and before this scientists have been unable to kill them.
"There is a lot of evidence to suggest now that these cells are responsible for many of the recurrences that are observed after treatment has stopped," Piyush Gupta of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Broad Institute, whose study appears in the journal Cell, said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
The problem is that cancer stem cells are rare and difficult to study in the lab because they quickly change into other types of cells. And they are hard to kill.
"It wasn't clear it would be possible to find compounds that selectively kill cancer stem cells," Gupta said in a statement. "That's what we did."
*****
A chemical called salinomycin hit the target. It was 100 times more potent at killing breast cancer stem cells than Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's cancer drug Taxol, or paclitaxel.
Cancer stem cells treated with salinomycin were far less able to start breast cancers when injected into mice than cancer stem cells treated by paclitaxel. And the treatment also appeared to slow the growth of tumors in the mice.
Gupta said it is not clear if salinomycin will emerge as the best drug compound for killing breast cancer stem cells — or that it will be safe to use in people with cancer.
But the study offers a new roadmap for drug companies to isolate and test compounds capable of killing the cells.
Although the research is groundbreaking, unfortunately it won't lead to a quick cure for cancer. Thee is much more research to be done before human trials can be started. With luck, a treatment using the compound could be available in a few years, the scientists said.
ER star Maura Tierney said in a statement to TVGuide.com that she will undergo surgery to remove a tumor from her breast. That is why her new NBC show Parenthood will be delayed by eight weeks.
"I have discovered a tumor in my breast which requires surgery," the actress, 44, said. "I will not know either my exact diagnosis or course of treatment until that surgery is performed."
NBC originally issued a statement attributing the production delay to a "medical evaluation" Tierney was undergoing. The network's choice of words, however, "unfortunately caused some confusion and undue alarm about my health," Tierney said. That's why she came forward with her own clarification.
Parenthood, originally slotted for a fall launch, now will premiere at midseason, once Tierney's surgery and recovery is over.
"My doctors have all assured me this is a very treatable condition," Tierney said in her statement. "I'm very optimistic as to the outcome and want to thank everyone who has sent positive thoughts and support. I look forward to going back to work soon."
We wish her a speedy recovery and continued good health.
A new campaign to raise
awareness of breast cancer kicks off on July 3rd. The campaign is being promoted by the CFDA and asks women to wear a polo shirt designed by Ralph Lauren on Fridays during the summer to help raise awareness of breast cancer and to promote donations to research to find a cure.
Summer Fridays will have a new dress code if the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Net-a-porter.com and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have their way.
Together, they unveiled a new grassroots campaign called "Fashion Targets Summer Fridays" that aims to encourage women to buy and wear the Ralph Lauren-designed FTBC (Fashion Targets Breast Cancer) polo shirt at work on Fridays this summer, raising both funds to support the fight against cancer and awareness of it.
The program kicks off July 3 and runs through Sept. 25.
"It is a powerful opportunity for women across America to join together in a unified message of care, concern and hope," said CFDA executive director Steven Kolb. "The FTBC polo makes a perfect summer Friday outfit, and can take women from work to their favorite weekend getaway spot."
The shirts retail for $55 and are available for purchase at
netaporter.com/ftbc. The proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other FTBC-supported organizations. the shirts are in British sizes extra small to extra large. A British extra large is the equivalent of a size 12 in the U.S., according to Netaporter. Apparently Ralph Lauren and the CFDA are not interested in the charitable support of any women bigger than a size 12.
Actress Sarah Chalke, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founding chair of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dr. Jill Biden and HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and HRH Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia take the ceremonial first steps at the first-ever Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 6, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Nearly 45,000 walkers and runners, including more than 3,600 breast cancer survivors, attended the event, helping to raise more than $4.3 million for breast cancer programs. You can see a larger photo here.
Topshop is supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer in 2009 with the launch of this limited edition tee. The t-shirt can be purchased here at the U.S. Topshop for $44 and here at Topshop UK for 22 pounds. Topshop wil donate 30% of the selling prices of the tees to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a UK charity. More information about the fashion industry's support of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer in the UK can be found on millionmodelcatwalk.com and fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org.
Here's a video offering suggestions for ways to wear Topshop's special tee.
Study Finds Mushrooms May Help Protect Against Breast Cancer
The Telegraphreports that a study found that women who eat a daily portion of fresh mushrooms (at least a third of an ounce) were 64% less likely to develop breast cancer. The study also found that women who combined the mushroom intake with green tea cut their risk by 90%.
Researchers say the latest findings, published in the International Journal of Cancer, do not prove eating mushrooms will stop cancer and more studies are needed to confirm the results.
But laboratory tests on animals do show the fungi have anti-tumour properties and can stimulate the immune system's defences.
Some evidence suggests mushrooms act in a similar way to breast cancer drugs called aromatose inhibitors, which blocks the body's production of the hormone oestrogen, which can encourage the development of cancer.
The study was conducted by the University of Western Australia in Perth on over 2,000 women living in China. The article also says that scientists in California have started a trial to see if taking mushroom extract twice a day for a month can help breast cancer survivors remain cancer free.
Christina Applegate will appear on Good Morning America tomorrow morning (Tuesday, August 19, 2008) to discuss her battle with breast cancer. She has some
good news: she's now cancer-free.
I'm clear," the star of "Samantha Who?" said. "Absolutely 100 percent clear and clean. ... They got everything out so I'm definitely not going to die from breast cancer."
Applegate, who started getting mammograms six years ago after she turned 30, said the cancer was found through the second of two MRI tests as a follow-up from a biopsy she had last year.
During the interview she laughs about her reaction to the initial diagnosis, but perhaps only to offset the fear she felt then.
"I was so mad and I -- I just remember I was -- I was just shaking," she says.
We're so happy she's doing well. We'll tune in to see her talk about her experience.
Actress Christina Applegate has been
diagnosed
with early stage breast cancer.
Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate has been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer.
A spokesperson for the 36-year-old actress says in a statement, "Benefitting from early detection through a doctor-ordered MRI, the cancer is not life threatening. Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery."
Applegate's mother is a survivor of breast cancer, the most common form of the disease in women.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her. To find out more about early detection methods or to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen
Foundation, which does incredible work in the fight against breast cancer, go here.
Reese Witherspoon Walks For Breast Cancer Research
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon is the Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation and she was the special guest at the
sixth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C. Reese was there to celebrate that fact that $8.1 million was raised for local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.
"I am very excited to be partnering with the Avon Foundation and to help them continue to affect real change," stated Reese. "I feel a great responsibility in my own life to give back to society. As the Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation, one of my first experiences last year was to meet Avon Walk walkers at a training walk in Los Angeles. Now I am proud to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in Washington, D.C. and hope my presence can in some measure express my deep appreciation for all the women and men who participate in the Avon Walks, and for all of the people who dedicate their lives to breast cancer research and care."
Reese served lunch to the walkers, talked with participants and joined the walk for the last leg before participating in the Closing Ceremonies. It's an important cause: you can find out more about the Avon Foundation
here.
Ford has announced
that it will be doubling its contribution to Susan G. Komen for the Cure each time it sells a "Warriors in Pink" package for the 2009 Ford Mustang.
The 2008 package was such a hit that Ford decided to offer the promotion again.
Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package was designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. New upgrades for the 2009 package are featured on the Ford display at the New York International Auto Show.
Lilly Pulitzer and Ford Announce 2004 Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf
Bloomingdales.com is offering for sale the 2004 Ford breast cancer awareness scarf, created exclusively for Ford by fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. The scarf is 100% silk and features bright pink, aqua and green -- classic Lilly Pulitzer colors. All net proceeds (85% of each sale) go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Last year's scarf, promoted by Sarah Michelle Gellar in national ads, sold out early
leaving many shoppers disappointed.
The Telegraph 
Christina Applegate will appear on Good Morning America tomorrow morning (Tuesday, August 19, 2008) to discuss her battle with breast cancer. She has some
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon is the Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation and she was the special guest at the
sixth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C. Reese was there to celebrate that fact that $8.1 million was raised for local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.
