Breast cancer can be caused by a virus

The issue of Reader’s Digest in November has an article in which new research says cancer can be caught, like a virus.

Dr James Holland of Mount Sinai School of Medicine has found that the human breast cancer is connected to domestic mice which harbour the mouse mammary tumour virus. Dr Thomas Stewart of the University of Ottawa has created a map of the distribution of breast cancer around the world. Where these mice are common, so was breast cancer. Dr Holland is struggling to prove that women are infected with the virus before they develop breast cancer.

Fascinating. Another cause of breast cancer.

It is interesting what new research finds all the time. The point is, we want it to lead to a cure. As long as we go closer to a cure, let the research continue. Let’s find a cure.

Pink ribbon vs pink chaddi

Last year, scores of pink chaddis were sent to protest the actions of Pramod Muthalik of Sri Ram Sene, whose party members beat up girls who had gone to a pub as ‘it is not the Indian culture’ etc. After a group of youngsters asked others to send pink underwear to the party’s office as a form of protest, many were sent from all across India. I didn’t send any for I felt he didn’t even deserve this much attention.

For the past five years I have worn a pink ribbon through October for international breast cancer awareness month. I am still asked what it is for. When the pink chaddi campaign was going on, I couldn’t help but wonder how people latched on to it while many are not aware of the pink ribbon, something that has been used for years as a symbol for a disease.

I am even asked if the pink ribbon I wear is for AIDS. That also shocks me, as for years the red ribbon has been used for that cause, and is always in our face from posters and TV ads. That’s why people spending money just to send pink chaddis to some man sitting in Karnataka annoyed me. Why can’t someone send a pink ribbon for an awareness campaign?

I want whoever has read this, to send a pink ribbon to a woman they love, with the following message. And please follow it up.

The pink ribbon is the international symbol for breast cancer awareness

Early detection is still the surest way of completely treating breast cancer.

I want you to go for a mammogram and a physical check up.

Because I care about you.

It's October

I have been unable to blog as my father suffered a stroke.
It’s been 10 years since my sister died and I wanted to do something on the anniversary. But God had other plans.

It’s October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month in many countries. In India too some people will organize events for awareness. Anything to make people notice this dreaded disease and take preventive action.

There’s a lot one can do. Firstly, if you’re a woman above age 30, go for a mammogram and a physical examination! You could also wear a pink ribbon, and tell people to be aware. You could put up simple posters in your housing society telling people about the disease and put up the contact numbers of the nearest mammography clinic. One doesn’t need to organize a big event for awareness.

Or simply, tell a friend, make him/ her aware.

For G

I am afraid

“I am afraid,” a friend said to me last week when I asked her to go for a mammogram. “It is better to be afraid now then to face consequences later,” I told her.

The truth is, many women are scared to go for a mammogram. It’s a simple test, like an X ray wherein any abnormalities can be detected early enough. But many women avoid it.

Why aren’t women afraid to meet school friends once a year? Why aren’t women afraid to have haircuts? Why aren’t women afraid to go on an annual vacation? Think of a yearly mammogram and a physical check as part of your routine, just as some of these activities. Mark a day, once a year, for all the women in your family. Go for a mammogram with your best friend. But don’t avoid it.

The proximity of the disease means I have to undergo mammograms and checks regularly.

It also means I will continuously tell all the women I know closely and those in my family to go for mammograms and check ups regularly.

Don’t let this disease take away any more of those we love. Don’t be afraid.

It has been 10 years

This September 7 will mark 10 years since my sister passed away.

I started reading on breast cancer some time before she died. But the past 10 years have been different. Back then I was reading with hope for her. Now I read with hope for everyone who has been or will be afflicted with breast cancer.

My reading has also helped me learn about many people through the world who raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. Some work towards awareness. Almost everyone has had a loved one afflicted with it. Nancy Brinker, my inspiration, began Susan G Komen for the Cure, which is today the largest source of private funds in the world, for breast cancer research. One woman, Polly Letofsky, walked across the world for five years to raise money. Another family has started an annual walk. There are so many people doing so many different things.

This blog is my attempt to do something.

What can I do this year?

Navratilova has breast cancer

In my teens, I was crazy about watching tennis. I really followed the game for a few years. Even have the newspaper cuttings from those times. Especially ones about Steffi Graf’s achievements.

Besides Graf, Martina Navratilova was another player whose matches I loved to watch. But the magic of the game died down for me after Graf’s retirement. Nowadays I don’t even know who is World No 1!

Then the other day I read about Navratilova getting breast cancer. She said she was shocked because she was always healthy.

But it’s not about being healthy. Many sportsmen, Lance Armstrong being the most famous, have got cancer.

This is a disease where one cannot say A has factor X so he/ she will not get it. Or A doesn’t have factor X, so he/ she will get it.

One must always stay a step ahead of it by being careful and going for tests. If at all one gets it, deal with it. Wage a war against it.

Above all, be aware. That is half the war won.

Cold caps, comfort bags

It amazes me each time I learn about the way someone is helping breast cancer patients.
My friend who lives in the USA sent me a mail recently about the Rapunzel project. Two survivors have come together to set it up there.
Women need not lose their hair due to the toxins during chemotherapy. This can be prevented with the use of ‘cold caps’. Apparently, they have been used in Europe for a long time. The US is getting to know them. The caps, worn during the treatment, keep the head cold and prevent the toxins from destroying hair follicles.
The only problem is that they have to be kept cold at an extreme temperature. Two friends, Shirley and Nancy have started the project to raise funds to purchase special freezers for hospitals to keep these caps.

Another way to keep the head cool during chemotherapy is by keeping the leaves of the castor plant on it.

The New Hanover Regional Medical Centre’s comfort bags are another unique idea begun in 1998.The bags contain ‘Love, Medicine and Miracles’ a book of encouragement by Bernie Seagal, ‘There is no place like hope’ a book on how to fight cancer by Vicki Gerard, a small pillow to be kept between the car’s seat belt and the patient’s chest after surgery, a planner to note down doctor’s appointments, peppermints to help prevent sore throats due to chemotherapy and a satin cover for the pillow kept under the patient’s head, among others. Small things, which can make a big difference to a patient.

Perhaps someone is already doing something unique to help more patients. Write to me and let me know.