The TaTa's Chronicle | Daughter, Wife, Mother... Survivor!

Ex-’Moesha’ Star Yvette Wilson Battles Cancer For The Second Time

May 17th, 2012

TaTas

From TheGrio.com

Comedienne and star of popular sitcom ’90s show “Moesha” Yvette Wilson, is determined to survive the battle of her life. Wilson, who played “Andell Wilkerson” on the hit starring Brandy, has Stage 4 cervical cancer and is in dire need of funds in order to pay her mounting medical bills.

Wilson, who also co-starred in such memorable films such as “House Party 2,” “House Party 3,” and “Friday,” is not only battling cancer but has also been plagued with kidney problems. Since Wilson’s kidneys are failing, she needs a kidney transplant as well.

Read the rest over at thegrio.com

Blood Test May Predict Breast Cancer Risk

May 10th, 2012

TaTas

From MedicineNet.com

(HealthDay News) — A blood test that spots changes in a specific gene could reveal a woman’s risk for breast cancer years before the disease has a chance to develop, researchers report.

British scientists analyzed blood samples from 640 breast cancer patients and 741 women without breast cancer. The samples from the breast cancer patients were collected an average of three years before they were diagnosed with the disease.

The objective was to find out if the alteration of single genes by a process called methylation could predict a woman’s breast cancer risk.

The researchers found that women with the highest level of methylation on one area of a gene called ATM were two times more likely to develop cancer than those with the lowest level of methylation. Methylation is a critical process where chemicals known as “methyl groups” are added to DNA, to make sure everything is in good working order. High levels of methylation signal high levels of DNA trouble.

This result was particularly pronounced in blood samples taken from women under the age of 60, Dr. James Flanagan, a Breast Cancer Campaign scientific fellow in the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London, said in a news release from the Breast Cancer Campaign.

The study was published May 1 in the journal Cancer Research.

Unlike previous studies that took blood from breast cancer patients after diagnosis, these blood samples identified alterations in the ATM gene that did not occur because of having active cancer or cancer treatments.

The findings provide strong evidence that looking for this type of alteration in individual genes could be used as a blood test to help predict a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer, the researchers said.

Used in combination with other breast cancer risk assessment tools such as genetic testing and risk factor profiling, this blood test could help identify women at higher risk. This early warning could be used to monitor these patients and one day perhaps even prevent them from developing breast cancer.

“We know that genetic variation contributes to a person’s risk of disease. With this new study, we can now also say that epigenetic variation, or differences in how genes are modified, also has a role,” Flanagan said.

“We hope that this research is just the beginning of our understanding about the epigenetic component of breast cancer risk, and in the coming years we hope to find many more examples of genes that contribute to a person’s risk. The challenge will be how to incorporate all of this new information into the computer models that are currently used for individual risk prediction,” he noted.

“So far, we have found alterations in one small region of a gene that appear to associate with risk of disease, and so the next step with this epigenetic research is a genome-wide approach to try and find all the associated genes,” Flanagan explained.

10 Genetic Error Patterns in Breast Cancer

May 10th, 2012

TaTas

From BreastCancer.org

One or more errors in a cell’s genetic code or gene behavior can turn a normal cell into a cancer cell — a cell that grows, divides, and spreads in an uncontrolled way.

Researchers have linked a number of particular genetic errors to cancer development and behavior. As more research is done, it’s become clear that genetic errors are usually different from cancer to cancer, even between two people who’ve been diagnosed with the same type of cancer. It’s also becoming clear that different combinations of genetic errors affect how a cancer behaves and responds to treatment.

A new study did a detailed genetic analysis of nearly 2,000 breast cancers. The researchers found 10 patterns of genetic errors that were linked to the cancers’ prognosis and how they responded to treatment.

The research was published online April 18, 2012 in the journalNature. Read the abstract of The genomic and transcriptomic architecture of 2,000 breast tumours reveals novel subgroups.

The breast cancers were analyzed using automated, computerized gene analysis. The analysis looked for three types of genetic errors that have been linked to cancer development and behavior:

gene mutations: mistakes in the genetic code
gene over-expression: normal genes that are overactive, or there are too many copies of them; for example HER2-positive breast cancer has too many HER2 genes
gene under-expression: normal genes that are underactive or turned off

The researchers then looked at the outcomes of each woman in the study and compared a woman’s outcome to the genetic profile of the cancer she had been diagnosed with. The researchers found 10 groups of genetic errors that were linked to different outcomes:

aggressiveness of the cancer
response to treatment
risk of recurrence
tendency to spread
overall prognosis

Each group of genetic errors was named and numbered (IntClust-1, IntClust-2, etc., through IntClust-10).

The results suggest that detailed genetic analysis to identify a breast cancer’s specific group of genetic errors could give doctors a more precise and predictable way to estimate prognosis and plan treatment.

While the results are interesting, detailed genetic analysis like the testing done in this study isn’t commonly done. Also, doctors won’t be able to apply this information to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment for several years.

Stay tuned to Breastcancer.org Research News for the latest information on newer, better ways to diagnose and treat breast cancer.

Brooke Burke Thanks Giuliana Rancic For Inspiring Her To Get A Mammogram

May 9th, 2012

TaTas

brooke burke giuliana rancic 400x300 Brooke Burke Thanks Giuliana Rancic For Inspiring Her To Get A Mammogram

From Celebuzz

Giuliana Rancic inspired hundreds of women with her fight against breast cancer, but she may have even save a few lives along the way too.

Friend and Dancing With the Stars host Brooke Burke recently opened up about getting her mammogram after hearing about Rancic’s diagnosis. In the latest issue of Prevention, the 40-year-old revealed she even thanked the E! News presenter after her appointment, saying:

“As soon as I found out my friend Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer, I booked my mammogram. I called her from the doctor’s office and said, ‘Thank you for provoking me to have this done.’”

“When I was finished, I said to the nurse, ‘What’s the big deal? There’s so much negative talk about the mammogram,’” she added. “The biggest thing was scheduling my day to get there. The actual appointment was a piece of cake.”

Rancic, 37, who underwent a double mastectomy in December, is now expecting her first child with husbandBill Rancic through a surrogate.

Woman Fakes Breast Cancer To Get $8k Donations For Implants

May 9th, 2012

TaTas

With breast cancer claiming so many lives, I’m not sure why someone would actually want to fake a disease so fatal just to get money out of people. This isn’t the first case but it’s the most recent and the last one I read about was about a young teenage girl who scammed people out of $17,000.

I lost my grandmother and cousin to breast cancer so I take this very serious. My mother has been a survivor going on four years and I’m thankful to God for that. I hope they prosecute this young lady to the fullest extent of the law, and make her pay back all the money she stole from those who gave to her out the kindness of their hearts.

Check out the story below:

From ABCLocal.go.com

PHOENIX (KABC) – An Arizona woman is facing charges of fraud and theft after she was accused of pretending to have breast cancer so she could get implants.

Investigators say 27-year-old Jami Lynn Toler told her boss, parents and grandparents that she needed a double mastectomy and reconstruction and that she had no insurance. She also solicited $8,000 in donations from a website and organized fundraisers.

But she allegedly used most of the money for breast implants she did not need. Her story began to unravel when she declined a doctor’s offer to perform the mastectomy for free.

Medical records obtained by police show she didn’t have cancer and paid a plastic surgeon with the cash.

“Her medical records indicated that there was no breast cancer or anything like that, no issues whatsoever,” said Sgt. Anthony Landato with the Mesa, Ariz. police.

Toler was arrested on Wednesday after a former hospice co-worker turned her in. Toler was charged with fraud and theft earlier this week.

Lifestyle Related Factors and Breast Cancer Risk

May 7th, 2012

TaTas

There are certain breast cancer risk factors that are related to your lifestyle. The American Cancer Society has come up with the top risk factors and they include:

Having children

Women who have no children or those who have their first child after age 30 are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Having multiple pregnancies or becoming pregnant at a younger age has a tendency to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The reason is, pregnancy reduces the amount of menstrual cycles of a woman’s lifetime, which is possibly the reason for this effect.

Recent oral contraceptive use

Women who take birth control pills are at a much higher risk to develop breast cancer than those who don’t. The good thing about this is once they stop the risk goes back to normal.

Breast-feeding

Studies have shown that breast-feeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, especially if continued up to 2 years. This also goes back to the fact that being pregnant reduces a woman’s lifetime menstrual cycles which may be linked to the reduced risk.

Alcohol

Alcohol has been a known factor for many years of being a really high risk factor for breast cancer. It depends on how much consumption, those who drink more are more at risk.

Being overweight or obese

Weight has really played a large role in the developing of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that you stay at a healthy weight throughout life by balancing your food intake with physical activity.

For a full list of the risk factors that fall under this category, head on over to the American Cancer Society Website.

A new DIY beach bag for this year

April 17th, 2012

TaTas

Guest post written by Donna Black

One thing that I can always count on is spending a lot of time at the beach. I grew up in a beach town and even though I still don’t live there I visit my parents almost every weekend in the summer. They have a house that’s right on the beach and it’s like my own little vacation every single weekend. So when I go spring shopping every year I have to keep that in mind and make sure that I have the right stuff to wear on the beach. That also means stocking up on lots and lots of sunscreen.

It’s really quite nice having the convenience of parents that live at the beach. It has not been a disappointment in the past and I’m sure that it won’t be in the future. So I took a lot of joy in finding a beach bag and whiel I online shopped I saw the site debtconsolidation.me/. I looked through it a little bit and realized that it could help me out with my debt a lot.

I found an idea for how to make a DIY beach bag tag and decided that this would be a really good way to keep up with my bag. Sometimes beach bags just look so similar.

Tips For Early Detection

April 15th, 2012

TaTas

Getting regular mammograms – which are an x-ray of the breast – and getting breast exams are recommended.

Women age 40 and should have a screening mammogram every year, the Society recommends. The procedure takes about 20 minutes.

“This year alone, it is estimated that more than 230,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 40,000 will die of the disease,” said Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a separate statement on Friday.

“If 90 percent of women 40 and older received breast cancer screening, 3,700 lives would be saved each year,” she said.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam by a health professional at least every 3 years. The frequency should increase to yearly at age 40.

Mammograms “do not work as well in younger women,” the Society notes, “usually because their breasts are dense, and can hide a tumor.”

However, most breast cancers occur in older women.

More specialized screenings – with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans – may be necessary for women at greater risk, the Society says.

Source: Medical Daily

Shop Sensibly With No More Rack

March 21st, 2012

TaTas

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I’m always looking for a great deal. Since I do most of my shopping online, it’s really tricky trying to find a great deal with all the scams artists on the hunt to make a quick buck by ripping off innocent people. Luckily, I found a great site where shopping online is made easy called nomorerack. No More Rack is an online superstore that has 8 great daily deals a day, plus one charity deal. No More Rack has everything ranging from clothing to accessories to toys to electronics and much, much more. Not to mention their 100% authentic product guarantee which you can find under nomorerack reviews.

One of the things I love most about nomorerack is the fact that they have great nomorerack reviews. This makes me feel very safe to shop online and get a great deal at the same time. With No More Rack, you’re guaranteed to save up to 90% off regular retail price, now who can argue with that. All you have to do is sign up with your email address and create a password then you will have access to all the wonderful deals, including deals on popular name brands, daily with just $2.00 flat fee shipping per item. Once you’re all signed up, you will have access to the latest deals conveniently sent directly to your inbox, which will arrive on the nomorerack website daily at 12pm EST.

Another benefit I love about nomorerack is the fact they have these monthly insanity deals. With the insanity deals, there are 1000 random deals sold throughout the month with discounts ranging from 80-95% off regular retail price. Check out one of the insanity deals below:

Finally, No More Rack not only have incredible daily deals, but they also believe in giving back to the community with their Charity Deal Program. With the charity deal program, No More Rack commits to raising money for different non-profit organizations from revenue they earn from the products they sale. They have a list of different organizations they donate to which include: Runway to Hope, The Rose, Family Giving Tree and First Book. By purchasing their daily charity deal, you can kill two birds with one stone by helping others while treating yourself to the things you deserve.

I am so glad to have learned about No More Rack and will be telling all my family and friends so they won’t have to pay retail price for anything anymore. Now I can save tons of money and still have the things I not only need, but want as well with No More Rack.

**This post was brought to you by our friends at NoMoreRack.

Shopping For Bedspreads

March 15th, 2012

TaTas

A little over a month ago, I moved into my dream home. The house is so big that I had to start over buying all new furniture, especially a bed for my master suite. The master suite in my new home is HUGE and having a queen size bed looks like a twin compared to all the space I have in my new bedroom. It took me some time to find the right bed and since my room is so large, I was left with no choice but get a California king sized bed. Even though it’s only just me, I had to get the right size bed to fit my master suite.

Since purchasing my California king, I’ve had the hardest time finding an oversized king bedspread. I’ve been looking all over town and seems no one has exactly what I’m looking for. Even though they say it’s made for a king, the bedspreads just don’t hang right on my California king being it is a little larger than a regular size king. I was so excited when I discovered an online superstore that carried oversized king bedspread I need and now my bed doesn’t have to be bare. Now my master suite is complete.