5 Debunked Breast Cancer Myths

Myth: Hair straighteners cause breast cancer in African-American women.

Reality: A 

large 2007 study funded by the National Cancer Institute found no increase in breast cancer risk due to the use of hair straighteners or relaxers. Study participants included African-American women who had used straighteners seven or more times a year for 20 years.

Myth: Wearing antiperspirant increases your risk of getting breast cancer.

Reality: The American Cancer Society debunks this rumor, but admits that more research is needed. One small study did stumble on traces of parabens in a tiny sample of breast cancer tumors. Parabens, used as preservatives in some antiperspirants, have weak estrogen-like properties, but the study in question made no cause-and-effect connection between parabens and breast cancer, nor did it conclusively identify the source of the parabens found in tumors.

Myth: Overweight women have the same breast cancer risk as other women.

Reality: Being overweight or obese does increase your breast cancer risk—especially if you're past menopause and/or you gained the weight later in life.

Myth: Small-breasted women have less chance of getting breast cancer.
Reality: There's no connection between the size of your breasts and your risk of getting breast cancer. Very large breasts may be harder to examine than small breasts, with clinical breast exams—and even mammograms and MRIs—more difficult to conduct. But all women, regardless of breast size, should commit to routine screenings and checkups.

Myth: If you're at risk for breast cancer, there's little you can do but watch for the signs.
Reality: There's a lot that women can do to lower their risk, including losing weight if they're obese, getting regular exercise, lowering or eliminating alcohol consumption, being rigorous about examining their own breasts, and having regular clinical exams and mammograms. Quitting smoking wouldn't hurt either.

Source: Health.com

Creme Of Nature Partners with My Favorite Non-Profit Organization During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Creme of Nature^® announced today that the long-standing hair care brand has partnered with Look Good Feel Better to educate people on the services available for women who are battling cancer and want to enhance their appearance. Through the end of October, Look Good Feel Better leaflets can be found inside Creme of Nature with Argan Oil product packaging to help spread the word about the organization and the support it provides for women who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Look Good Feel Better is a non-medical, brand-neutral public service program that teaches beauty techniques to help cancer patients manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. But, more than that, the organization offers cancer patients a circle of support. Through Look Good Feel Better , women receive step-by-step makeover learning sessions that are led by cosmetology professionals. Products are donated by various cosmetic and beauty companies. Each free two-hour, hands-on workshop includes a 12-step skin care and make-up lesson, information on nail care techniques and advice on how to deal with hair loss, including tips on the use of wigs and hairpieces and scarves and other accessories.

SOURCE Creme of Nature

Breast Cancer is the 2nd Leading Cause of Cancer Death in Women

In case you were wondering, Lung Cancer is # 1. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

Source: American Cancer Society

Tyler Perry signs with OWN

Two industry giants and my two favorite people have combined forces and inked a deal. OWN  (Oprah Winfrey Network) has signed Tyler Perry to a multi-year deal to create new scripted TV shows for the network. Two scripted shows are targeted for a mid-2013 premiere. This deal has greatness written all over it. 

Source: Huffington Post 

Breast Cancer is the Most Common Cancer among American Women

Last month, Kellie Pickler, country star and former American Idol, shaved her long blond locks off on Good Morning America to show support for her lifelong BFF, Summer Holt Miller, who is undergoing breast cancer treatment. Since her brave, epic haircut, there's been an outpouring of support for the singing sensation.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

Source: Eonline and American Cancer Society

October is All About Pink

Today is the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness month. To mark the first week, I will be providing daily breast cancer quick facts, stats and tips. This disease has absolutely no discretion. It affects women of all nationalities, ages, and breast sizes. While I am not a medical practitioner, this unpredictable disease has directly impacted my life through loved ones. Witnessing breast cancer, first hand, is what has led me to use this platform to educate you as much as possible. I hope you find this week’s posts useful and informative. 

Laugh Until it Hurts

I have always loved laughing.  At any given moment I might break out into a hysterical laugh with my family, friends or my hilarious co-workers.  I guess I am blessed because after doing a little research on laughter, I discovered that those of us who can laugh on a dime probably take it for granted, as many people apparently aren’t laughing.  People are stressed, depressed and just going through the motions of life without stopping to smell the roses.  It’s for this reason laughter researchers exist.  

According to some of the research I have encountered, laughing is always a good thing.  Further, actual research has been conducted, which has observed the blood pressure and glucose levels of people before and after being shown comedies.  The outcome of the observations has revealed both a reduction of blood pressure and glucose levels. This is great, yet; unfortunately laughing doesn’t come naturally for all.  However, it is important to practice laughing and anything else, which lowers stress levels, to ward off mental health/physical problems and to slow down the aging process.  Still not convinced? Check out the below information, I retrieved from WebMD:

Laughter’s Effects on the Body:

Blood flow:     Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when  people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of  

the group who watched the comedy behaved normally-- expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow. 


Immune response: Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells, as well.
  

3 Years of Marriage for Khloe and Lamar

It's already been three years for Khloe and Lamar.  It seems like just yesterday they were married.  According to Eonline, yesterday the happy wifey shared a photo via twitter of rose petals in the shape of a three, along with two glasses of champagne and a private table reserved for their special day. "A beautiful way to kick off our anniversary," she blogged. "Can't believe it's been three years!!!!" 

Thats great!!! Happy Anniversary.

What is BB Cream?

If you have been wondering why you have been hearing about BB creams lately. More importantly, if you have been wondering what BB cream is, this post is especially for you. BB cream was first formulated in the 1960’s by a German dermatologist, whose intent was to create a product for patients to cover their skin after laser procedures. In the 1980’s, the product was introduced to Japan and Korea. Because Asian women believe in healthy, porcelain-like skin, the cream’s popularity resonated quickly among Asian women.

BB cream has recently become extremely popular in the United States and is typically marketed as an all-in-one product, which can be used as primer, moisturizer, foundation, serum and sunblock. The claims are that the cream treats blemishes, sun spots and age spots, as many formulations have skin lightening properties. The cream is also said to have anti-inflammatory and skin regenerating properties, which some experts question. Nonetheless, numerous cosmetic lines currently sold in the United States are now selling their own formulation of BB cream. The good thing is since BB creams have gained popularity outside of Asia, more color variations are now offered compared to previous years.

Bliss Happens: The Six-Week Plan to a Happier, Prettier, Thinner, and Richer Life

The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" Beauty Guru, Best-Selling Author; Fabulous TV Personality, Kym Douglas, Offers A Foolproof Plan to Improve Your Beauty, Health and Life in Six Weeks or Less!

Have the everyday stresses of life caused you to lose your sparkle? Are you looking to take your life from drab to fab? Or maybe you're already in a good place and just want to live, look, and feel even better. Well, Bliss Happens is the answer! Hollywood's favorite 'Blissologist' Kym Douglas is revealing her insider's guide to having it ALL in her new book Bliss Happens : The Six-Week Plan to a Happier, Prettier, Thinner, and Richer Life. Bliss Happens will arm readers with useful tips and inspiring tools to reinvent themselves, their lives and uncover their overall BLISS (an acronym for: Beauty, Living, Inexpensive, Simplicity, and Solutions).

Whether climbing into a noodle-filled bathtub, smearing pureed pumpkin on her face, or pouring maple syrup on her hair and wrapping it in cellophane, Kym Douglas is bursting with ingenious ideas for affordable beauty, lifestyle and home solutions.