I would like to commend Boston University, Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Sigma for supporting JILLIES inititate to educate college women about breast health.
On September 11, 2010 from 2 -5 pm we will kick off this new program at BU’s Nickerson Field. This is the first effort of its kind at any area college.
Margie and I first presented the idea to Jack Weldon, Dean of Students at Boston University. Jack connected us with the heads of the Greek Life at BU and the program took shape. JILLIES has partnered with Gamma Phi Beta sorority whose platform is breast cancer and Kappa Sigma fraternity to participate in the Kick for the Cure charity event. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Susan B. Komen for the Cure organization. JILLIES, along with a representative from Susan B. Komen will be at the event handing out breast health education materials and be available to answer student’s questions.
There are lifestyle choices that contribute to a women’s risk of getting the disease and the research shows the earlier we make the right choices, the more we are able to reduce our risk. It is true factors beyond our control such as family history, genetic mutations and age play a role in a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. However, it is important to recognize the factors we can control which contribute to breast health. These include eating a well balanced and maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, abstaining from smoking cigarettes, limiting our intake of alcohol and our exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, even young women of college age should know how to perform a self breast exam properly and do it on a monthly basis. The number of breast cancer diagnoses in young women has risen over the past years. The good news, is that when breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it is very treatable.
It is never too early to talk to our daughters and sons about breast cancer. Although this may not be a topic that is top of mind for students, there are probably few who haven’t been touched by the disease one way or another in their young lives. We want to provide them with good information and put their fears to rest.
I have recently been corresponding with Dr. Michael Madden, a DC who now practices functional medicine. Dr. Madden and other natural medicine practitioners talk about the importance of completing a good detox program after undergoing chemotherapy.
Although I didn’t have chemo myself, I made the decision to do a detox to help excrete the radiation from my body after radiation therapy. I did a lot of research about the various detox programs on the market today and ultimately decided to complete a 21 day program offered by Biotics Research. They also offer a 10 day version.
Many people think a detox consists of abstaining from food and drinking colonics to cleanse the system. This is not true. The detox I completed included a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein and good fat. In addition to following a rigid diet, I took a variety of supplements and a combination whey protein and nutriclear shake. The program was a bit difficult to follow in the beginning. I actually started it once and then stopped, only to start it again and ultimately complete it. After finishing the detox program, I felt energized, my skin had never been clearer, I lost weight, and I had the piece of mind that I did something to help myself recover from the effects of radiation therapy.
If you would like to learn more about the Biotics Research Detox program, visit http://www.rightwayrx.com/10bikitw.html
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of a woman’s breast in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. The operation is both physcially and emotionally devastating for patients. Women experience a lot of pain, discomfort, loss of range of motion and have to deal with uncomfortable drains for several days. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Women need at least 2 days in the hospital to recovery properly.
The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is important legislation for all women and in Congress right now. There is a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a masectomy. It is about eliminating the concept of the “drive-thru mastectomy” where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, with the drainage tubes still attached. I can tell you from my own experience that is it difficult enough going home directly after a lumpectomy. I can’t even imagine the condition a women is in after having a full mastectomy.
Lifetime Television has put the Breast Cancer Protection Act bill on their webpage with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. Please sign the petition by clicking on the website listed here. http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition
We are confused. JILLIES participated in a fundraiser to support the Massachusetts General Hospital last spring. 100 generous supporters paid for JILLIES treatment garments to be donated to the hospital and given to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. A team from JILLIES presented the hospital with the garments. We waited a month or so for feedback but nothing came. Then we started calling. We finally got a resoonse and the feedback was not very positive. We were told that the nursing staff offered the garments to patients but the patients were not interested in them. We found it hard to believe that women would prefer to sit in a waiting room clad in a johnnie that exposed their private parts, did not fit properly and was worn and tattered rather than wear a JILLIE which is soft, comfortable and provides complete privacy. Today, I was told by a trusted source that the oncology nurses were and I quote “pissy” about handing out JILLIES and never actually offered them to patients. The nurses either didn’t want to be bothered or thought the hospital johnnies were just fine. Shame on them. These garments were made expecially for breast cancer patients. They were donated by very generous people who had the best of intentions. We know from the feedback we have recieved to date that women love JILLIES. Patients who have worn then find then comfortable, functional and stylish. These women appreciate that someone took the time to do something nice for them at such a difficullt time.
So we ask the nurses, why would you deny a woman the opportunity to feel better while undergoing treatment? We can’t come up with a single valid reason. Be assured that we at JILLIES will continue to crusade for the comfort and wellbeing of breast cancer patients everywhere. We will not allow the medical establishment to put a damper on our mission. We would love to hear from you if you agree that hospitals need to take notice. Hospital garments are horrible and need to be redesigned.
Fundraising/Events, Hospital Gowns, Treatment, Uncategorized
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hospital gowns, JILLIES, johnnies, johnnys, massachusetts general hospital, MGH, nurses, oncology nurses
Scientists from several Harvard-affiliated institutions reported that women who took aspirin after completing breast cancer treatment were half as likely to die from the disease as women who did not regularly take aspirin. Taking aspirin also reportedly reduced the risk of breast cancer returning. You can read the study which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology at http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/mjgca?SEARCHID=1&FULLTEXT=aspirin%2C+breast+cancer&FIRSTINDEX=0&hits=20&RESULTFORMAT=&gca=jco%3BJCO.2009.22.7918v1
According to Dr. Larry Norton, Director of breast cancer services at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, there is an increasing interest in aspirin as a cancer preventative, however he does not suggest based on this study that people go out and buy aspirin. The study was based on a small sample of 4,164 registered nurses diagnosed with the disease between 1976 and 2002. A total of 341 of these women in the study had died from breast cancer by 2006. The study did not ask women what dose of aspirin they were taking. Along with aspirin the study suggests that other anti-inflammatory medications like Advil and Motrin may be helpful, but only when taken 6-7 days per week.
Aspirin has been prescribed for years to heart disease patients due to its blood thinning properties. However, women should take caution as aspirin can lead to a condition called “leaky gut”. Continued aspirin use can create small holes in the stomach leading to harmful chemicals entering one’s bloodstream.
All agree that further research is needed to determine if aspirin really does support breast health. Unfortunately the drug companies probably won’t be lining up to fund this research since aspirin has no patent protection and produces low profit margins.
The Associated Press reported last week that the British government is getting behind a plan to replace open-backed hospital gowns with versions that preserve patient’s modesty. The Design Council has asked designers and manufacturers to come up with better versions of patient treatment garments. US born designer Ben de Lisi has come up with a design made from luxury cotton which he calls “fabulous and inspirational”.
We applaud the British government in recognizing this issue and dedicating time and money to fixing it. That is so much more than what the US government and the established medical community have done. The gowns in use today are not much different than the ones used 100 years ago!
JILLIES created a 100% natural cotton garment that offers privacy, comfort and dignity to women undergoing medical treatment. Our garments have received widespread praise from women who have had the fortune of wearing them. However, the medical community has been resistent to adopting any change at all. They seem to take the attitude that the status quo works for them…and that is all that matters. I say NO! Looking good and feeling good go hand and hand. Research has shown how important mental attitude is in facilitating healing and wellness. JILLIES challenges the medical community and our government to take a long, hard look the garments patients are given these days and follow the Brits in the charge to make things better for the ones we care for in our health care institutions. Visit us as www.jillies.com for more information.
I am so sad to hear the news that the ever-so talented Alexander McQueen passed away today. He was one of my personal favorite designers. The fashion world suffered a devastating loss today. Mr. McQueen was a supporter of breast cancer causes. We loved the pink paisley scarve he designed for a breast cancer promotion at Selfridges and Co in London to support Breast Cancer Care.
I recently had the pleasure of spending time with Dr. Randy Kamen-Gredinger. Randy is a psychologist and life coach to women dealing with struggles and loss. She recently launched a new website, www.drrkg.com which is all about “what women want”. She named her site “Gaining Balance. Strategies for Happiness”.
I love this site because it offers a forum for women to support one another in overcoming challenges and transitions as well as realizing goals and dreams. Can’t we all use some help in these departments? As a woman who is a breast cancer survivor and has recently gone through a divorce, I know I can.
I encourage any woman facing breast cancer to spend some time on this site. We know from research that women do better, heal faster, and feel more fulfilled when they have the support of other caring women.
Olivia Newton-John is a huge proponent of encouraging women to take a positive role in their breast health. She and her husband John Easterling founded Amazon Herb Company. One of their products, called ZAMU, is said to “promote a natural sense of well-being”. The featured ingredient in ZAMU is Camu camu which is said to help the immune system as it is the highest source of naturally occurring vitamin C in the world. The product is made from rainforest ingredients and is USDA certified organic. ZAMU is available for purchase at http://healthyvisions.amazonherb.net
JILLIES is not endorsing this product. We are simply passing this along for informational purposes only.
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