Good News: Crizotinib New Champ Against Tumors

A new study shows Crizotinib (Pfizer) acts on small cell lung cancers, specifically (ALK) anaplastic lymphoma kinase tumors, showing a 57% response rate and an 87% disease control rate at 8 weeks. "This response rate is unprecedented in lung cancer," said Anil Potti, MD, associate professor of medicine at Duke University. More study will need to be done, of course, but the ramifications are inspiring. In a related story, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center scientists report that combination drug therapy from the very start of therapy can produce good results.

Ex-marine Peter Devereaux

, a 48-year-old breast cancer survivor, has been on CNN and interviewed by newspapers like the Chicago Tribune to spread awareness about male breast cancer and what he believes caused it. Peter is one of 60 men with breast cancer from Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina. They found the water at the base was laced with volatile organic chemicals... breast cancer, not just for women anymore...

Olivia Newton John has dropped

a new CD called Grace and Gratitude renewed. But did you know she is a breast cancer survivor? Already an international pop star, her role as shy but sexy Sandy in the movie musical Grease catapulted her to superstardom. She followed that success with several films, four Grammy-winning albums, and 15 chart-topping singles. She continued to act and record in the years that followed, but her career came to an abrupt halt when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. Olivia fought the disease and won and has since become a tireless champion for breast cancer awareness and early detection. Now she's lending both her energy and her name to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, a hospital and wellness facility that is being built in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia.

Product Focus: BoobieHead T's

BoobieHead T's come in three styles: distressed, V-neck, and a sheer ribbed tee. The soft pre-worn feel of the distressed unisex logo shirts are for everyone from small to XXL and are available in BoobieHead Blue, Coral, Olive and a cool Smoke color. Humor is added by the inside imprint, "Got Boobs?"

The V neck is cut for a woman, ultra-soft and comes in BH light pink, black and white. Our favorite is the hot Sheer Rib Tee in seven cool colors and, of course, super soft! The Sheer Rib has a subtle hip logo and inside imprint "Boobs Unite!"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Do you and your loved ones know:
• 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?
• Over 30% of women are diagnosed after breast cancer has spread.
• When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.
Prevention:
• Limit alchohol use
• Maintain healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Limit fat in your diet
• Annual exams by your doctor, who should teach you how to exam yourself
• Self-inspection of your breasts, every month
• Mammograms every 2 years
Local Info:
• Our hospital, SGHS Brunswick, is giving free mammograms this month to women who are eligible due to financial or insurance issues.
• Through Oct. 28- Art-rageous Fundraiser Themed Bras created by physicians, healthcare workers, volunteers, and local artists. Vote for your favorite bra - $1 per vote, proceeds to benefit SGHS cancer programs; bras auctioned off at end of exhibit. Southeast Georgia Health System Outpatient Care Center Art Gallery, Bwk. Art Downtown/Gallery 209: 262-0628, ArtDowntownGallery209.com, sghs.org

Palliative Care helps cancer patients live longer, better

“Adding the services of a care team focused on quality of life without altering patient’s cancer treatments could both enhance and extend life”, says Jennnifer Temel, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center as reported by the New England Journal of Medicine. Combining palliative care early in treatment improved patient’s moods, helped them deal emotionally and spiritually with their disease, eased pain, nausea, and breathing difficulties which made their lives better, happier, as well as extending their lifespan.

This seems like a no-brainer to me, but cancer treatment typically only deals with the disease, not the symptoms which come along with it. And in the past, if palliative care was done, it was done late. We know now, by this medical study, that it should be done immediately or at least early into treatment. One of my goals for this blog is to bring you practical ways to make you feel better every day.

Funding help on the way

“Many cancer patients in Glynn County are uninsured or underinsured and do not qualify for financial help programs due to their age or assets”, explains Britt Figueroa, the founder and CEO of BoobieHead Inc. Britt is working to change that. She has the inspiration, the experience, and the plan.

You see, Britt is a recent survivor of breast cancer. She learned first hand many of cancer patient’s needs, which inspired her to create a line of ultra-soft casual apparel for sensitive skin, tender from chemotherapy treatments. This was just a start, of course, because Britt had a larger purpose in mind.

“A portion of the monies created from BoobieHead Inc. will go to Your Cancer Care Foundation , which will act as a pass through to pay those financial gaps for qualified candidates who would otherwise have to file for bankruptcy”, says Figueroa. Qualifying patients would be below Medicare age and have assets above Medicaid levels, but are still unable to pay hefty healthcare bills. “We first want to take care of the needs of cancer patients in Glynn County, and then we will grow to support people in other areas.”

Figueroa has the business acumen and experience to back it up. Remember Monkey Love, the fun dessert bar and gallery at Red Fern Village in St. Simons? That was her successful previous venture, so she knows business.

She also knows cancer and has a plan to help our family, friends, and neighbors who are in need.

Boobie Head & American Cancer Society

Who knew fundraising for cancer could be so much fun?!?!

This past Friday, Boobie Head got to participate in the 11th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon for the American Cancer Society. It was held at Sea Palms on St. Simons Island and was a total blast! Boobie Head was the finale and dressed all the models in our fun gear! We gave away T-shirts to all who attended!!!

Needless to say......we'll be doing it again next year!!! yay!!!!

Speaking of fundraising......Dan Vaden Chevrolet donated $500 to Your Cancer Care Fund last week! It was our first donation into the fund! Thank you Dan Vaden for supporting our cause!

Here's something that's on my mind.......all you folks out there with scars and areas where things have been removed, like your lymph nodes in your pits........are ya'll doing physical therapy to help ease the discomfort/tightness in the area? I gotta say that massaging the area twice a day and stretching it helps tons. I can tell a big difference when I'm consistent with my PT. I have less swelling and stretching is a breeze. If you haven't been doing any PT......give yourself this gift of healing time. Your body will thank you and it's sooooo good for you.

Until next time.......wear our nipples proudly, tell your friends about us and help us help our fellow cancer buds.

love ya......b oxoxo ;o)

My titty witty post

i like boobies. all shapes and sizes.

Boobie Head Incorporated was created by Britt Figueroa, recent breast cancer survivor, for the sole purpose to raise funds for all cancer patients (not just breast) who are uninsured or underinsured and do not qualify for programs due to age or assets.

A portion of the monies created from BH will go into the foundation, Your Cancer Care Foundation, which will act as a “pass through” to pay those financial gaps for qualified candidates who otherwise would have to file for bankruptcy.

BH and the foundation are local entities that will aid our own Glynn County cancer patients first. As the brand grows, the foundation has the ability to expand regionally to help more patients in need.