by Erin Steigleder, MSW, Director of Programs What is happening with the use of AI and mammograms? You have probably seen some headlines over the past year or two about how medicine can make use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and you may have even seen something about AI being used to “look” at mammograms.…
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By Grace Rush, Certified Mastectomy Fitter The Pink Ribbon Boutique in Richmond, VA, specializes in helping individuals feel comfortable and supported after breast surgery by providing post-mastectomy bras, prostheses, and compression garments — all in a compassionate and welcoming environment. If you’ve never visited a mastectomy boutique before, you might be wondering: What happens during…
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Stay updated with the latest in breast cancer care: Discover the USPSTF’s new mammography guidelines, federal marijuana rescheduling, a CDC campaign for disabled women, and crucial studies on racial disparities in cancer outcomes.
Menopause has been getting some long overdue attention lately, focusing on evolving recommendations for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Why is VBCF talking about menopause? A few good reasons: the risk for breast cancer increases after menopause; the use of HRT has long been connected with increased risk of breast cancer; and many people in treatment…
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You may have seen the recent Washington Post article discussing how the death rate for breast cancer has dropped 58% since 1975. And that’s amazing! Back in 1975, mammograms were difficult to access and less accurate, surgery was intensely disfiguring and often involved the removal of chest muscle in addition to breast tissue, and chemotherapy…
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Explore the critical challenges of awareness, access, and cost that prevent many from utilizing life-saving breast cancer prevention drugs.
This year, for the first time, VBCF hosted a Healthcare Provider Summit as a part of our More Than a Pink Ribbon luncheon event. We wanted to offer a space for providers to learn about some current topics affecting people with breast cancer and be able to interact with other providers who touch their patients…
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Discover the intriguing link between obesity, BRCA mutations, and breast cancer risk, and learn about the potential impact of new weight loss drugs on cancer prevention. Stay informed on the latest research and breakthroughs.
by: Elizabeth Sanderson, VCU MSW Intern Oftentimes, having a conversation with doctors in a medical setting where they are delivering information can be complicated. This can be due to the amount of information people are receiving, the emotional state of people who are receiving the news, and the medical language used by doctors. If patients…
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“In Unity there is Strength, In Strength there is Power, In Power there is Change.” – Karen E. Jackson, 1995. Founder & CEO of the Sisters Network, Inc. Reflecting on Black History Month this year, we can’t ignore the disparities in breast cancer outcomes facing the Black community. Despite these challenges, there is much hope.…
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A mammogram (L) is an X-ray image of the breast that can identify tissue types with different densities, such as masses within the breast. Thermography (R) produces an infrared image that shows the patterns of heat on or near the surface of the body. Image source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration In discussions about mammography…
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Join VBCF’s Erin Steigleder and Dr. Melanie Rutkowski to learn how the microbiome and breast cancer influence each other. Dr. Rutkowski is an Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at UVA. Learn about the gut microbiome, the breast microbiome (!), and how people can help to keep their beneficial bacteria balanced.
VBCF’s Education Manager, Erin Steigleder, chats with two oral health professionals about the importance of looking after your oral health before, during, and after breast cancer treatment. Dr. Sarah Glass is an oral and maxillofacial pathologist and an assistant professor at the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Nazy Zahedi is a hospital dentist with VCU.
Last week, the website “Eat This, Not That” shared an article on breast cancer that VBCF finds misleading and, frankly, insulting to women. Their article “8 Bad Habits Leading to Breast Cancer” sets a disappointing tone from the beginning. This title suggests that women are to blame for their breast cancer diagnosis, that their illness is their fault, and that their fate could have been avoided if they had “followed the rules.”
May is Mental Health Month and National Cancer Research Month. Recently, the two have coincided as researchers continue to learn more about the mental health of those dealing with breast cancer, not just cancer’s effect on physical health.
When you read about “false positive” rates in mammograms, what comes to mind? Or about breast cancer “overdiagnoses”? There have been a few articles on those topics lately, so below is a brief explanation of what false positives and overdiagnoses are and what the latest findings mean to mammography screening. In “research speak,” a false…
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BMI is being used as an “easy” but murky indicator of health and how the relationship between overweight, obesity, and breast cancer is not as clear-cut as it is often made out to be.
When caring for someone with breast cancer, “busy” can be an understatement. Each caregiver’s situation is unique to them, but it’s more common than not to feel stressed, scared, and generally overwhelmed with balancing the unique challenges of it all. Know that you are not alone in this! We’ve put together a guide for our top four most requested resources from caregivers throughout Virginia.
Women and alcohol have a complicated relationship, so we’re going to take some time to try and review that relationship in the U.S. for Dry January.
For patients and loved ones dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, it can suddenly feel like your world has been turned upside down. We know that cancer doesn’t just affect the patient, but their whole community. From choosing a treatment plan to the everyday struggles of recovery, it’s common to feel scared, overwhelmed, or alone – no matter what your support system looks like. Sometimes we all need a little extra help as we navigate the difficulties in life – that is where Patient Navigators come in. We recently reached out to Navigators across the state for some great expert advice.
The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the eradication of breast cancer through education and advocacy.
Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation
2821 Emerywood Parkway
Suite 203
Richmond, VA 23294
800-345-8223 | 804-285-1200
When you make a donation to VBCF, you make a difference for Virginians affected by breast cancer.
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