White House Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By GottaLaff

Yesterday I posted a video of Michelle Obama and Jill Biden speaking about breast cancer. Here's an update: The White House is going pink.

(I keep thinking about my high school French teacher whose wife was pregnant and hoping like crazy for a girl, constantly saying-- and making us say-- "Pensez rose, pensez rose!"*)

ABC News' Karen Travers reports: The White House will feature a splash of pink this weekend to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On Saturday morning pink ribbons, the symbol of the breast cancer awareness movement, will be hung on the columns outside the White House front doors and will remain there over the weekend.

Pensez rose!

*Think pink!

VIDEO: First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden Talk About Breast Cancer

By GottaLaff

Be proud:

First Lady Michelle Obama recognizes new advances in the treatment and heightened awareness of breast cancer and says women need health insurance reform to prevent and combat the disease.

Canadian Health Care Does It Again: Breakthrough in Breast Cancer

By GottaLaff

I am absolutely thrilled to post this:

Researchers with the B.C. Cancer Agency have become the first-ever to decode the DNA of breast cancer cells, and have discovered that gene mutations in those tumours shift as the disease spreads.

These findings were presented in the Nature journal, and chart the genetic mutations that occurred in the 3 billion letters of the DNA sequence from an estrogen-receptor-alpha-positive breast tumour. It has been said that this discovery will provide unprecedented understanding about how breast cancer progresses.

Chair of breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency and Canada research chair in molecular oncology, Dr. Samuel Aparicio said of the results:

"I never thought I would see it in my lifetime"

Damn those amazing Canadians and their health care strides! Damn them! *Wink*

Debbie Wasserman Schultz kept her breast cancer a secret

By GottaLaff

I always enjoy Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Tee Vee Machine appearances, even when I don't agree with her. She's outspoken and charismatic, feisty and funny. I just found one more reason to admire her:

Those who know or follow Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz know this: she's no shrinking violet. She's rascally, she's opinionated, she's passionate. She has a good sense of humor and a fun-side to her. [...]

And she doesn't back down from a fight. ... [S]he's not afraid. Of anything.

So the news that she has "successfully battled breast cancer" was surprising and not for entirely different reasons. Surprising because she kept it a secret. Not surprising because as stated earlier, she's down for a fight.

McClatchy's Lesley Clark reports:

"Wasserman Schultz, 42, a mother of three from Broward County, Fla., said Saturday that she successfully battled breast cancer for the past year — and is going public with her story in hopes of alerting young women to its prevalence. She'll introduce legislation Monday that calls for a national media and education campaign targeted to women between 15 and 39.

"I wanted to be able to not just stand up and say 'I'm a breast cancer survivor,' ... I wanted to find a gap and try to fill it,'' said Wasserman Schultz, who underwent seven major surgeries, including a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery while balancing motherhood, Congress and her roles as a chief fundraiser for House Democrats and popular political surrogate, first for Hillary Clinton and then, Barack Obama. [...]

"Wasserman Schultz discovered a lump in her breast through a self exam, two months after her first mammogram at 40. Though the cancer was detected at an early stage, she also learned that as an Ashkenazi Jew, she was at a greater risk of having the cancer recur in healthy breast tissue, prompting her to have both breasts removed. She was also at increased risk of ovarian cancer and had her ovaries removed -- the day after election day. Her final surgery was in December -- almost a year to the date of her diagnosis."

"She scheduled her treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Maryland, during congressional recesses, so as not to miss votes in Congress."

She'll be on GMA tomorrow to talk more of her story.

She didn't miss a beat. She is one strong, dedicated woman. Here's hopes for her continued good health, permanent recovery, and and that she is always willing and able to keep fighting hard. Thankfully, she has already won the biggest and most important battle of her life.

Ann Romney Diagnosed With Early Stage Breast Cancer, Treated

By GottaLaff

Here is her statement:

Last week, following my annual mammogram at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Sutu (DCIS). While this is commonly referred to as early stage breast cancer, it is technically not cancer but rather pre-cancer, as it has not become invasive. Today, I have had a lumpectomy. This procedure does not require hospitalization. Mitt and I feel fortunate to have caught this so early. And, it reminds us how important it is for women to have regular mammograms. As in all cases of cancer, early detection is critical. Many families are facing medical hardships–our hearts go out to all of you and also our wishes for healing holidays.

It sounds like she'll be fine, hopefully, which, of course, is a wonderful thing. And she's right: early detection is critical. Pay attention.