A nurse and breast cancer survivor finds new career as a tattoo artist
A nurse by trade and a tattoo artist by chance, Tara Williamson has a unique understanding of both sides of the spectrum when it comes to a breast cancer diagnosis as well as the complex feelings surrounding the tattoos women are often given during treatment. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39, Tara [...]
Giving the Gift of Selfcare this Christmas
by Allyn Rose The Holiday season can be a stressful time for any number of reasons: year-end deadlines at work, gift buying, parties, time with in-laws, that one coworker who won’t stop sending jib-jab e-cards… it can easy cause us to dive head first into a mountain of sugar cookies and want to hide until [...]
Five Ways to Support a Loved One Battling Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can be scary for both the diagnosed and those closest to them. Here are five ways you can support a loved one battling breast cancer: Helping Hands Be actively available. Avoid phrases like “let me know how I can help.” Be active and specific in how you can help. For example, offer to [...]
My BRCA Journey by Allyn Rose
Allyn Rose via Instagram (@allynrose) I remember very distinctly the day that I was tested for the BRCA 1 and 2 mutations. I sat patiently in my OBGYN’s office, staring at the posters about birth control… pregnancy… STDs, but none of them referencing the decision that I was about to make. I was choosing to [...]
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
Preparation and knowledge are often the most important tools when facing health challenges. Genetic testing is an invaluable resource in determining if your family history increases your risk for breast cancer. The three most well-known genes that can determine a person’s risk for breast cancer are the BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2. Some cases of breast [...]
The Journey Of My Breasts
The Journey Of My Breasts The Journey Of My Breasts: A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Memoir By Melissa Berry aka Cancer Fashionista My breasts. They first started growing (or as my Mom would say “develop”) when I was about 11. I woke up one morning and felt these funny hard things just beneath the surface of [...]
Low-Fat Diet May Decrease Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer
In an authoritative study, researchers have found that women who decrease fat intake while increasing the number of vegetables and fruit within their diet have a lower risk of dying from breast cancer. Conducted under a clinical trial at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the study involved nearly 49,000 women ranging in age from 50 to [...]
What is a Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy?
One of the most daunting parts of a debilitating illness is the notion that your quality of life will never be the same. While many women are certainly grateful to survive illnesses associated with tumor, there is often a stigma associated with deep breast-tissue removal. Fortunately, there are now patient-centered methods of mastectomy that can [...]