Cinco Vidas

We love stories of triumph over tragedy, so here’s another one for you. What would you do if you were told you were going to die of cervical cancer? If somehow you skirted that diagnosis, what would you do after years of harrowing treatment that included chemotherapy, radiation, and the removal of one of your kidneys?

For Meaghan Edelstein, the answers are “keep fighting” and “reach out to help others.” Diagnosed with stage 3B cervical cancer in February 2007, she wasn’t given much hope for survival. For two months prior, doctors insisted her symptoms were caused by stress. When they finally realized what was going on, they thought it was too late. (more…)

Heidi Floyd, breast-cancer survivor, and her son, Noah.

Breast cancer was in her family. Her mother had passed away when she was only in her 40s. So she knew she was at risk—but she never expected to be diagnosed while she was pregnant.

Her name is Heidi Floyd, and today she serves as Breast Cancer Development Ambassador for the Very Bradley Foundation, traveling the nation raising money for breast cancer research. But when she was diagnosed, she was working in IT sales, and didn’t know where to turn. “The first oncologist I spoke to didn’t know how to treat a pregnant patient,” she says. “He told me my options were to terminate the pregnancy, or carry the baby to term while not addressing the cancer.” (more…)

No one likes spending time in a hospital. Fortunately, most people are in and out within a few days—a week at the most. But many cancer patients find themselves walking the white hallways for several weeks at a time, even months. After so much watching television and playing board games, boredom sets in, and boredom leads one to think too much—usually worrisome and anxious thoughts.

“There’s a lot of time with nothing to do,” said Yolanda Toth, adult recreation center director at Sloan Kettering. “After you’ve counted all the holes in the ceiling of your room…and watched enough television, you’re pretty bored. And then you start thinking—what’s going to happen to me?” (more…)

As we become more aware of the dangerous chemicals plaguing many of our favorite skin-care products, we find ourselves looking around for alternatives. Where are the more conscientious companies that use organic ingredients, avoid potential cancer-causing chemicals, give back to charity, think green, and shun animal testing?

In addition to some of the other brands we’ve mentioned in this post (including Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Products, and Avalon Organics), we’ve come upon a new player in the game with a healthy hand of good sense. (more…)

As you’re pondering what to wear for a costume this Halloween (if you’re into dressing up), why not add a dash of pink to the outfit? The NFL is doing it. Seriously. You need to check out all those muscled men in pink! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that even with all the research and improvements in treatment, there is still a new breast cancer diagnosis in this country every 2 minutes? And that every 14 minutes, a woman loses her life to the disease?

In addition to our beloved football players, we found some great companies and organizations willing to donate to this important cause—all they need is your help. You can treat yourself to some great products and help promote breast-cancer research at the same time. (more…)

How does a 98–100% survival rate at the three-year mark for prostate cancer sound to you? How about radiation treatment that—compared to today’s commonly used methods—produces few radiation burns, little if any tissue damage, and drastically reduced side effects? What about a cancer treatment for breast, lung, brain and pancreatic cancers that would be minimally invasive on the body, yet maximally effective against tumors? How would you feel about something that could treat recurring cancers without forcing the patient to repeat chemotherapy? (more…)

October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month brings a lot of opportunities to donate to a great cause, but in today’s economy, every penny counts. How can you be sure your money’s actually going to charity or research?

You need to be more careful than you may think. According to watchdog organization Think Before You Pink, there have been a few instances where either a product used to raise money for breast cancer contained ingredients linked with breast cancer (what’s called “pinkwashing,”) or a company marketed pink-ribbon sales, but little-to-no money ever went to breast cancer. (more…)

A lot of fun things happen in September. State fairs, back-to-school, the Labor Day holiday, last camping trips, and the melancholy beauty of the approaching fall. As you’re breaking out the evening tea and watching the burning sunsets, how about a delicious cookie to go with the experience? Better yet, how about holding a bake sale?

September is Pediatric Cancer Month. Each year, nearly 13,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. The Pediatric Cancer Foundation continues to work to raise money to battle this devastating disease, and this month, you can help, just by baking some cookies! (more…)

Lynn Lane, founder of “Voices of Survivors,” shooting a documentary film in Southern West Virginia.

What does it really mean to be a “survivor?” The term is constantly used in the media and related cancer publications, but if you’ve actually experienced cancer in your life, what does survivorship really mean? That’s what Lynn Lane, founder/executive director of “Voices of Survivors,” has dedicated his life to find out.

“A lot of people don’t like the word ‘survivor,’” he says. “Does it mean you’re just barely hanging on, or you ‘just’ survived? We’re not just surviving. We’re living. We’re thriving.”

Diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was only 41, Lynn found the experience very isolating. (more…)

Now that the weather’s getting warmer and we’re all pulling out sleeveless tops and colorful shorts, it’s time to think about the health of our skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) set up a great reminder for us: May is the official Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month®. All around the country, organizations are offering free screenings. There’s no better time to make sure your skin is healthy!

“I have to admit,” says investigative reporter Heather VanNest, “I almost missed that skin cancer appointment years ago. I thought I had too many other important things to do. It ended up becoming the most important thing I’ve ever done.” Diagnosed with melanoma when she was 29 years old, Heather’s life was saved because of early screening. “If you didn’t come in for a full body skin cancer exam and biopsy,” her doctor told her, “I doubt you would’ve lived to see your 35th birthday.” (more…)