On October 23, seven-time Tour de France winner and testicular cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, with attend a day-long meeting in Lexington, Kentucky as a member of the President’s Cancer Panel to discuss the promotion of healthy lifestyles in reducing cancer risks. The President’s Cancer Panel was created by the National Cancer Act over thirty years ago to monitor and evaluate all aspects of the National Cancer Program. The Panel identifies and conducts inquiry into concerns and emerging issues in cancer-related science and cancer care. Members of the Panel include Armstrong; Dr. LaSalle Leffall; Margaret L. Kripke, Ph.D.; and Abby B. Sandler, Ph.D.

Dr. LaSalle Leffall is the Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, and Chairman of the Board of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Margaret L. Kripke, Ph.D., is Professor of Immunology and Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Abby B. Sandler, Ph.D., Chief, Institute Review Office (IRO), National Cancer Institute (NCI), became Executive Secretary of the President’s Cancer Panel in January of 2005.

The meeting in Kentucky will focus on recommendations related to tobacco and exposure to indoor smoke. Researchers and experts will attend the meeting to join the discussions.

Breast cancer is personal for Nicole Kidman. At 17, her mother Janelle was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a celebrity spokesperson for Cancer Research UK Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kidman helped launched this October’s All Join Together campaign by unveiling a giant pink ribbon on the Stardome at Madame Tussauds.

Kidman shares, “As someone whose family has personally been affected by the disease, I can’t stress enough how important it is that women get to know and understand what is normal for their body. I hope that this Cancer Research UK campaign will raise awareness of breast cancer amongst women of all ages and encourage them to report any unusual changes and go for screening if they’re over 50. Together we will beat cancer.”

On October 5th, A Touch of Pink party will be held in the Blush room of Madame Tussauds. Madame Tussauds is famous for its wax figures of celebrities, notable persons and world figures. Many celebrities are expected to attend the A Touch of Pink party. For more information on purchasing tickets to the event, email tickets@atouchofpink.org.

To learn more about Cancer Research UK’s mission in cancer prevention and research; and in improving the lives of cancer patients, visit Cancer Research UK.

Run for Hope’, inspired by cancer victim Terry Fox, raised more than $200,000 for cancer research. Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan flagged off the event at Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach.

Terry Fox Runs are held in 50 countries around the world. Seoul’s has been going since 1991 — a non-competitive run or walk over five or nine kilometers to raise money for cancer research.

People can either run the whole nine kilometers as a part of competition or simply go through 5 kilometers for fun. But all of the participants, nearly 5000 of them are running for Hope

New fundraising records have been set this year for “Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk”, raising $17.2 million funds for the Princess Margaret Hospital. This 60 kilometers walk and a two day event, is the largest, single fundraiser event in Canadian history.

With over 5000 people walking on the streets in rain, on this weekend to help battle the breast cancer, Organizers were shocked and thrilled not only with the record breaking funds raised, but with large turnout and community awareness. Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation stated in a press release, “We’re so grateful to the 5,382 courageous women and men walking this weekend, and to all the volunteers, Donors, and truly the entire community for their amazing support”.

After the opening ceremony, all the participants wearing pink caps left the Exhibition Palace at 7:15 a.m. They will be setting up a camp for the night at Downsview Park, after walking for 30 kilometers on Saturday. On Sunday, the participants will walk their way back to Exhibition Grounds for a closing ceremony that is to be held at Direct Energy Centre. Along the route, friends and family members are encouraged to cheer up the participants at the particular cheering stations.

Such an event has been held for the fourth year. All the raised fund will go towards Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment, research and education of breast cancer.

September is the month for Prostate Cancer Awareness. In United States alone, approximately 234,460 men will learn that they have prostate cancer, and nearly 27,350 will die from the disease. However if diagnosed and detected earlier, prostate cancer can be treated in time. The survival rate is far up to 100 percent. As per a study, men are at a much higher risk for prostate cancer and are more likely to suffer as due to lack of screening for this disease. However most of the cases can not be prevented or treated because of the risk factors beyond a man’s control (such as age, race and family history), there are few steps that can certainly reduce the risk for prostate cancer. As per a research, eating a high fiber, low-fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables daily can help reduce the risk for both prostate and colorectal cancers. Another way out is to reduce the risk is to get checked for prostate cancer every year, usually after the age of 50. However, African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer need to begin annual testing by age 45.

Usually, Prostate cancer has no symptoms in it’s early stages but as it becomes complex, the prostate cancer affected patients can face the symptoms like difficulty in urination.

Screening for prostate cancer consists of two steps: a doctor’s exam of the prostate gland and a blood test that measures a protein made by cells in the prostate. The blood test is called a PSA, which stands for “Prostate-Specific Antigen.” High PSA levels in a man’s blood indicate a prostate problem, but not necessarily cancer! Since neither of these screening techniques are 100 percent effective, it is the combination of the two that allows for the early detection of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer is the second most found cancer in men, next to skin cancer. We hope that with this program in pursuit, many men will realize and be proactive regarding their health issues and be a good decision-maker as far as the necessity of screening for prostate and colorectal cancer is concerned. Stat says that one out of six will get prostate cancer.

We hope that this program will help in eliminating cancer and its sufferings through awareness and education.

A group of more than 300 breast cancer survivors gathered on the field of the MacAfee Coliseum Saturday to form a human “ribbon” of hope.

They filed into the sunlight wearing pink T-shirts and A’s caps, sporting wide grins to participate in the Eighth Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

The day-long celebration was presented by John Muir Heath and partially sponsored by the Contra Costa Times to spread the word about early detection and treatment and to raise money to fight the disease.

For Sherilyn Gordon, a professional singer from Walnut Creek who performed the National Anthem before the game, the day was about lending her voice to the cause. Gordon had no heath insurance and little money when she discovered a lump in her breast several years ago. She credits John Muir with saving her life by helping her get treatment.

“I feel very blessed because I think if I waited very much longer, I think it would have turned out differently,” Gordon said.

She was there Saturday to tell women not to be afraid, to help people understand there are treatment options out there for women of all races and income levels. “You’re not alone,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the women gathered at the Coliseum’s East Side Club for breakfast and speeches. A’s pitcher Kirk Saarloos, whose mother, Linda, is a breast cancer survivor, choked back tears as he told them how she discovered her cancer last year during spring training.

He found out she was keeping the terrifying news from him because she didn’t want his mind clouded as he tried to earn a spot on the team’s roster. “I told her there are more important things than me,” he said. “I’ve got to applaud you guys for all your strength and all that you’ve gone through.”

Cristina Hickey of Walnut Creek, a seven-year survivor told the women that although the disease is “as individual as fingerprints” everyone needs the same thing: steadfast support.

She described how she found a group of survivors and women undergoing treatment and how they helped each other through the hard times. They talked about how to redefine their self-images after the loss of breasts and hair, how to re-energize their sexuality and how to help loved ones cope. “How do you put them at ease when you’re not at ease yourself,” Hickey said.

By all accounts, the day was a success. Even before the A’s took the field against the Baltimore Orioles, organizers had raised more than $100,000 selling memorabilia, special seat tickets and raffle tickets.

Over the past eight years, Breast Cancer Awareness Day has brought in nearly $800,000, said A’s spokeswoman Kristy Fick. The money will be spent on research, education, advocacy and free services for cancer patients in the Bay Area.

Source: Mercury News.com

It might be celebrity gossip but news is flying around the internet that Nike has offered Jennifer Aniston a record deal for her celebrity endorsement in exchange for donations that will benefit cancer research. It is being reported Aniston will be appearing in both television commercials and print ads for Nike.

According to the buzz, it might be the most Nike has ever offered for a celebrity endorsement. For Jennifer Aniston? Is she that popular? I am not being snarky. Really I am not. I just didn’t know she was popular on the level that Nike would offer her the most money they have offered anyone for a celebrity endorsement.

Not long ago, Sheryl Crow publicly thanked her family and friends Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox for keeping her spirits up during the first days after breast cancer diagnosis. Maybe there is something to the Nike deal. If the amount of money being reported is true, and it is earmarked for cancer charity — then it’s worthy of a mention at The Cancer Blog. We appreciate any sizable donation to cancer research.

Inspirational fundraiser and terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson has been praised by Tony Blair as she entered the final week of her 4,200-mile Ride Across America for charity.

The mother of three received the Prime Minister’s best wishes in a hand-written letter delivered to her in Washington during the latest stage of her journey from San Francisco to New York.

Mrs Tomlinson, who has so far raised around £1.25 million through a series of challenges for charities, said she was now beginning to relax as she felt the end was in sight and she would be back with her family at her home in Rothwell, Leeds, next week.

In his letter, the Prime Minister wrote: “Dear Jane. Well done on all your fundraising efforts. It’s a fantastic achievement. Good luck, Tony Blair.”

Sitting outside the White House, Mrs Tomlinson said: “It’s good to be here. It’s symbolic for me that we’ve got here on the day that we needed to arrive in order to finish the ride on Friday.”

The 42-year-old was joined by around a dozen members of staff from the British Embassy in Washington for the latest leg of the ride.

“It’s been good that they could join me and give me a bit of company,” she said.

“The overwhelming feeling is one of relief. It’s relief that the end is in sight – I’ll be home with the rest of my family next week.”

Since being diagnosed with advanced metastatic breast cancer, Mrs Tomlinson has raised more than £1.25 million for a series of charities which help cancer patients and children.

Information on her appeal, including a ride diary and details of how to make a donation, can be found at www.janesappeal.com.

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2006, All Rights Reserved.

Many college students are beginning their pursuits in higher education with private scholarships. Each year, millions of dollars are awarded to college students as a result of private gifts that flow from alumni and donors. These scholarships help universities compete for the best and brightest students. And the beneficiaries of these scholarships are many. Universities get what they want — good students. Students get what they want — funding for college. And the community gets something too.

Lauren Mareno, a senior at Kent State University and recipient of a Reach for Excellence scholarship, has been reaching into her community and is leading campus-wide efforts to raise money for the American Cancer Society – an experience that has exposed her to new career opportunities. While she pursues a psychology degree and a certificate in non-profit management, Mareno — who lost her own father to cancer at the beginning of her freshmen year — serves as co-chair for the Relay for Life event. In April she saw the fruits of her labor blossom as more than 60 student groups participated in the 24-hour campus walkathon that raised more than $75,000.

Mareno sees more community outreach in her future and she is eager to continue raising funds for causes that are meaningful to her — and to so many others too.

Hormonal Therapies: Making Decisions and Quality of Life After Breast Cancer is the next teleconference hosted by Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). Get the latest treatment strategies and learn about quality of life issues surrounding hormonal therapy during a free teleconference from 12 p.m to 1:30 p.m on Tuesday, September 26th.Speaker Ruth Oratz, MD, FACP, associate professor of clinical medicine at the New York University School of Medicine will help you understand how hormonal therapy works and who should consider treatment. You can learn about aromatase inhibitors in treating breast cancer in postmenopausal women, the use of tamoxifen for premenopausal women and how to maintain bone health.

After the presentation, Dr. Oratz will invite you to participate in a 45 minute question and answer session. Register for the teleconference here.

Source: The Cancer Blog