A rainbow of support
About 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in the United States this year. As the spouse of a breast cancer survivor, Robert Stewart, owner of a Web-design firm in Kansas, has established the Over the Rainbow team, a not-for-profit cancer support organization. It can be found at the Web site www.theovertherainbowteam.org. The goal of the group is to help people find comfort through others and to help answer their questions.
In addition, Over the Rainbow sends teddy bears to children with cancer to show that someone cares about what they are going through. The site is seeking those willing to share their cancer stories, site volunteers and donations to help fund the teddy bear program.
New breast cancer tests
Though mammography is an important means of breast cancer diagnosis, researchers have four new technologies available or on the horizon to better their efforts at accurate and early cancer detection, says an information-filled feature in the July/August issue of More magazine.
One technique, called ductal lavage, involves retrieving cells that line the breast's milk ducts to see if any appear atypical. A newly approved technique called digital mammography helps physicians to enhance X-ray images of the breast for more accurate diagnosis. Another system, called ImageChecker, uses a computer to double-check results of standard mammograms. And an experimental technique using sound waves and computers may help doctors to learn before taking a biopsy whether a lump is cancerous.
How to survive summer
Fun in the summer sun can bring some unwelcome surprises--bug bites, itches, cuts, blisters and heat-related problems. A tear-out bonus page in the July 10 issue of Family Circle provides a handy guide to first aid for the most common complaints. If you're stung by a bee, for example, remove the stinger quickly by scraping the site with the edge of a credit card, then apply ice to lessen swelling and pain.
Should you feel abdominal cramping, weakness and sweating, you may be suffering from heat cramps or heat exhaustion. It's best to first lie down in a cool spot, then consume a cold drink and apply a cold compress to the head. If the first aid doesn't seem to improve the condition, an ambulance should be called because heat stroke can be fatal.
Skin cancer odds
Do you realize that your risk of developing skin cancer is 1 in 5 and that half of all cancers in the United States occur in the skin?
To increase your knowledge of skin cancer, Redbook magazine has produced a seven-page section on this subject in its July issue. The feature discusses five skin-cancer truths and lies, gives illustrations that show how to recognize skin cancer and talks about sunscreen mistakes you may not know you're making.
In addition, the section lists five little-known skin cancer risk factors, four signs of a bad mole and, eight new ways to beat skin cancer.