Inside Prevention

Prevention Is Power: A different road

We've known Ann Maechtlen since 2008, the first time she signed up for Climb Against the Odds. She's one of those people who immediately, intuitively understands the Breast Cancer Fund's environmental perspective on the disease, largely because of her own cancer diagnoses. Recently interviewed by the Sacramento Bee for an article about the proliferation of pink during October, Ann shares with us here her own perspective on prevention:

Greetings from Missoula, Montana! The fall colors are beautiful and the air is crisp. I get a little sad this time every year as I say goodbye to long warm days full of friends and fun adventures outdoors and spend more time indoors with shorter colder days. My sadness lifts when the snow starts falling and I can go nordic skiing or snowshoeing.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also the anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis (five years) and 29 1/2 years since my Hodgkin's diagnosis. At age 22 I had cancer—back when I didn't know anyone who had ever had cancer!

Hodgkin's was a very scary disease for me, and people were afraid it was contagious. In 1982 there was no Internet, no support groups and no cancer groups waiting to help, so I was on my own. The public library was my new best friend. The first book I picked up was called, “First You Cry”—how true!

I had a doctor who believed my cancer was caused by exposure to chemicals on my family’s ranch in Southern California. That doctor planted that seed, which took many years to germinate. I found myself reading labels more and avoiding products with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce in my quest for good health.

I also noticed more and more chemicals in cosmetics and cleaners and in trying to avoid them I have found it easier to make my own.

After my breast cancer diagnosis I realized I needed to make big changes to really get healthy and get past cancer. I quit drinking alcohol, changed some other habits and did a lot of emotional healing. After completing nine months of chemotherapy I was really happy just to be alive, and I needed to celebrate!

Then the Breast Cancer Fund came into my life and I learned about the Climb Against the Odds. I knew I had to climb the mountain! I climbed Mt. Shasta in 2008, nine months after I finished chemo. I climbed again this year, thinking maybe it would be easier. No, it was still hard!

I was—and still am—thrilled that the Breast Cancer Fund is looking at prevention rather than finding a cure. Cancer has become big business…too big. I have seen enough lives torn apart and cut short from this disease; I want to see it disappear, at least back to the levels found before the 1980s.

I would like to empower people with real information and real choices in their lives to stay healthy. I see cancer groups working to support cancer patients, which is good, but how about going down a different road of no cancer?

Pink Inc. has many starting to see red (Sacramento Bee, 10/23/2011)

Pink is big in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year is no exception. But some survivors, like two-time Climb Against the Odds team member Ann Maechtlen, are looking for something more, reports the Sacramento Bee:

Ann Maechtlen, formerly of Redding, is one who has lost faith in the bigger organizations. Years before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she joined in walkathons like the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to honor cancer survivors. "It was a great thing, especially in the days when people couldn't even talk about the disease," Maechtlen says.

Now, she avoids the parade of pink walkers and product promotions. She feels they trumpet a superficial notion of "awareness," even if some groups do good things with the money raised and promote great solidarity among survivors and families.

"It tugs at your heartstrings, but I can't get behind it anymore," she says. "For the most part, everyone is perpetuating the Big Business of cancer."

For survivors of breast cancer and their families, it can be very healing to contribute to group activities. After nine grueling months of chemotherapy, Maechtlen joined an organized hike to the summit of Mount Shasta, up 14,179 feet, which raised about $13,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund, a charity she believes in because of its focus on prevention and environmental-factor research. (Read complete article.)

Prevention Is Power: A new path

Breast cancer survivor Betsy Ogden climbed Mt. Shasta with the Breast Cancer Fund's Climb Against the Odds 2011 team, and in doing so found a journey of her own choosing post-cancer. Read her reflections on cancer, mountains and prevention in today's blog, part of our October Prevention Is Power campaign. Thank you, Betsy!

Knowledge. Power. Strength. Change. This is what prevention means to me.

On a September Sunday in 2009, I completed my first-ever solo summit of Mt. Moosilauke, one of New Hampshire’s 48 4,000-foot mountains. It was a beautiful, crisp fall day and I felt strong and proud, and excited about my new-found love of hiking.

Three days later, following a routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was a strong, healthy, active physical therapist and Pilates practitioner and had no family history of the disease.

And so began what I now call my “forced march,” a journey not of my choosing, into the world of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and remission.

Over the next few months I often felt powerless, sometimes frightened. My choices in life revolved around treatment options, recurrence rates and outcome statistics. My business struggled as the fatigue of treatment took its toll. Finally treatment ended and I became a survivor, and started to figure out my new life, co-existing with the reality of cancer ever-present.

Through all of this I came to understand that my cancer’s origin was likely somewhere in the environment. And on a very personal level, I knew that I needed and wanted to do something to reclaim my life’s journey, the journey cancer had hijacked.

I needed a mountain to climb, literally, and in October 2010 I joined the Breast Cancer Fund’s Climb Against the Odds 2011 team. As I look back, I see how much personal strength I drew from the months of fundraising and training for the climb. I pushed myself to physical limits and raised thousands of dollars from supporters. Each step along the way, I was encouraged by the amazing staff of the Breast Cancer Fund.

And finally, I climbed Mt. Shasta in June 2011 along with 33 other survivors and supporters. I did not reclaim my life’s journey on Shasta. Rather, I started on a whole new path, where powerlessness and fear in the face of the disease have no place.

The Breast Cancer Fund has shown me that we can and must face the disease head-on. We work so that others never have to feel the powerlessness of diagnosis, the fear of treatment and the uncertainty of the future.

I believe that prevention is the only acceptable future for breast cancer. Using solid scientific inquiry to identify environmental causes of the disease, we have knowledge. And with that knowledge and the leadership of the Breast Cancer Fund, we have the power and strength to change the course of this disease. We will and must educate and advocate so that young women, women of color, all of us at risk of environmental exposure will not have to fear what we do not know or understand.
 
I have climbed mountains since the Breast Cancer Fund's Climb Against the Odds 2011, and I hope to climb many more. I take every opportunity I can to speak of the good work of the organization and I try to make my own small world safer and less toxic for my loved ones and me.

Each of us must do what we can, where we can. And, in the end, that will be enough. And I know that someday, in the not too distant future, our children and grandchildren will live in a world where breast cancer is, very simply, prevented. 

Prevention Is Power: Through treatment, up mountains and toward a healthy future

Shiera Brady Henderson climbed Mt. Shasta this June with the Breast Cancer Fund's 2011 Climb Against the Odds team. Shiera faced the mountain with immense strength, and today, as part of our October Prevention Is Power campaign, we're happy to share with you her reflections on the power of prevention:

The feeling of ultimate power swept over me as I took the final step to reach the 14,000-foot summit of Mt. Shasta. The thin air and grueling climb that began at 2 a.m. makes breathing difficult. Yet, as I stand roped together with my four fellow climbers on top of the world, I exhale with great pride and gratitude. On this 10th anniversary of being a breast cancer survivor, I celebrate not just a milestone, but also the return of once again being in charge of my life. 

That sense of power drains from your body when you are diagnosed with breast cancer—malignant cells destroying not only your breast tissue but also your confidence and self-esteem buried deep inside your heart. How does a 39-year-old healthy mom with no family history get breast cancer? What did I do wrong? Am I going to die?

I was diagnosed with aggressive invasive ductal carcinoma. No warning, no symptoms, just confirmation that this awful disease was already leaching into my lymphatic system. I had discovered a little bump during a self-exam and although that turned out to be a cyst, the mammogram showed those suspicious-looking spots on the other breast. Suddenly, a regimen of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation controlled my life. I was no longer in charge of potty-training my two-year-old; my only job was to win the cancer battle.

How does this happen? Why does our treatment for breast cancer include terms like toxins and radiation—the very things we believe cause cancer?  Why is everyone working on a cure? Don’t we want to know why more and more of us are getting breast cancer in the first place?

Although I realized the obvious value in finding the perfect cure, I knew in my heart that the real problem lied in the cause. I started paying more attention to what I ate, the ingredients in those foods, and most importantly, what I fed my children. I had an 8-year-old daughter who now had a family history of breast cancer. I needed to do all I could to prevent cancer from being a part of her life.

Desperate to find peace and healing and to restore my health, I developed a love for the outdoors and discovered the cathartic power of hiking. I started with day hikes in the hills behind my house; soon the trails became longer and the mountains higher. The physical accomplishment of climbing tall mountains slowly began rebuilding my self-confidence. 

Along the way, I discovered the work of the Breast Cancer Fund. I knew instantly I had found the perfect partner when I learned they advocate for the elimination of preventable causes of breast cancer and they build awareness by hiking and climbing tall mountains! Detection is critical—a self-exam and mammogram undoubtedly saved my life. Ultimately, however, I want to know what caused my breast cancer. I have learned so much from this great organization that works tirelessly to educate us and to demand better public policy.

That glorious day of rediscovering myself on the Breast Cancer Fund’s Climb Against the Odds lives vividly in my mind today. It is a constant reminder of the power we have to push forward on hard days during chemotherapy, up precipitous mountains, and in our unrelenting efforts to prevent breast cancer.

Mountain-climbing mom in training (Houston Chronicle, 6/7/2011)

In just one short week, the Breast Cancer Fund and our 2011 Climb Against the Odds team of 35 breast cancer survivors and people touched by the disease will be in Mt. Shasta to face the mountain. One of those climbers, Leann Ferry, was profiled by the Houston Chronicle last week:

Ferry is the only Texan on a team of 36 breast cancer survivors from across the nation preparing to climb Mount Shasta, a 14,000-foot peak in northern California.

Her goal is to raise at least $20,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund.

"They are the only national nonprofit with the sole mission to get rid of environmental toxins that cause breast cancer," Ferry said. "I will climb so that it will be common knowledge that pesticides cause cancer and that we should not be eating them in our food or have them in food packaging."

Ferry is passionate about the Breast Cancer Fund because she firmly believes her cancer was caused by environmental exposure. (Read complete article.)

We can't wait to see Leann and all the climbers next week! We'll be blogging from Shasta throughout the week and delivering reports on the climbers' progress on summit day. Check back here starting Sunday, June 19 to follow along on this incredible journey for breast cancer prevention.

Novato woman prepares for trek to Everest Base Camp (Novato Patch, 1/25/11)

On April 25, Kelly Gray of Novato, Calif., will begin a strenuous but extraordinary 14-day trek in Nepal to the foot of the world’s tallest mountain, and she’ll be making the trip as both a personal challenge and an opportunity to support the Breast Cancer Fund. She’ll be one of 15 to participate in Sacred Treks: Everest, organized by Breast Cancer Fund Hero Cathy Ann Taylor and her company, Cattara.

A recent article in the Novato Patch newspaper profiles Gray’s preparations and her personal reasons for making this trek:

“I'm taking on this physical challenge as a way to prevent breast cancer," she says. "I have two sisters who are breast cancer survivors and my maternal grandmother also suffered from the disease. I want my children to know that we can do something positive regarding cancer and that we can hope for a better future.”

In addition to training for six months, members of the team will also fundraise a minimum of $5,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund. Past participants of Sacred Treks to Bhutan, Mont Blanc and Machu Picchu have raised over $200,000 for breast cancer prevention.

Once in Nepal, the team will hike the Himalaya on the shortest and most direct route to the foot of Everest. From Kala Patar at over 18,000 feet, they’ll see the face of Everest and trek to Everest Base Camp, and upon reaching their final destination, they’ll fly Breast Cancer Fund prayer flags (taken from the Tibetan tradition) in honor and memory of loved ones touched by the disease.

Missoula cancer survivor ready to climb again (KPAX-TV Missoula, 12/27/2010)

The team roster for Climb Against the Odds 2011 is already three-quarters full! One of the climbers, Ann Maechtlen, was featured last week by her local news station in Missoula:

 

Ann is a two-time cancer survivor, returning climber, environmental health advocate and one of the amazing people we can't wait to see on Mt. Shasta in June!

Is 2011 your year to climb a mountain? There's still time to get your application in! Learn more about Climb Against the Odds, then let us know you're interested and we'll send you more information.

Week One: Breast Cancer Prevention Month

The release of our latest edition of State of the Evidence launched a month-long campaign to move the breast cancer conversation in October beyond awareness and to prevention. Through our online communities on Facebook and Twitter, we’re posting the latest themes in the emerging science linking breast cancer and exposures, tips for reducing your risk, action opportunities and things you can share with family and friends to spread the word. Here’s a roundup for week one of Breast Cancer Prevention Month:

Science Monday
One of the important themes from State of the Evidence explores the effect of chemicals at low doses. Growing evidence is finding that environmental toxicants, especially chemicals known as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) that mimic hormones in the body, can have devastating effects at small levels. This is particularly a concern during gestation and early childhood when the body is developing. Learn more about low-dose exposures.  

Tips Tuesday
Many endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol A (BPA), are found in our plastics, but there’s an easy way to help you identify what to avoid: just look for the recycling number on the bottom of plastic products. Check out our “What is the Connection Between Plastic and Breast Cancer” table in State of the Evidence to learn what the numbers represent.

Action Wednesday
To help you walk through the in-depth science, we’ve organized a series of Webinars. Sign up now to join the Breast Cancer Fund for our first State of the Evidence Webinar on October 20 to learn more about the environmental links to breast cancer, and what policy and personal changes can help reduce the risk.

Share Thursday
This week we also launched a new video, Breast Cancer Prevention Starts with Us, to help tell the story of breast cancer prevention through the voices of supporters who, like almost all of us, have been touched by this disease. Please watch the video and share it with your loved ones.

Help us continue the momentum to move beyond awareness to prevention.

Powerful New Video: Breast Cancer Prevention Starts with Us

The Breast Cancer Fund today released a new video that seeks to tell the story of breast cancer prevention through the voices of our supporters who, like almost all of us, have been touched by this disease. At a time when 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, their stories are ours.

 

We know enough to act now to stop this disease before it starts. Help us transform October into Breast Cancer Prevention Month. We hope you will watch this video and share it with your loved ones. Then find out what other ways you can support prevention this month, including reading and sharing State of the Evidence!

Burlington woman climbs for breast cancer prevention (Burlington Free Press, 5/19/10)

Lindsey Stair, 24, a member of the Breast Cancer Fund's 2010 Climb Against the Odds expedition, did a Q&A session with her local paper, Burlington Free Press, about her upcoming climb of Mt. Shasta. On Saturday, May 22, Lindsey will join her fellow East Coast teammates for a climb of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington, and she'll be sharing their experiences with Inside Prevention.

When Lindsey Stair of Burlington lost the love of her life, Lee Goldsmith, 25, to cancer last year,
her life came to a screeching halt. Now she is regaining her footing by training for the Breast
Cancer Fund's Climb Against the Odds 2010, a three-day expedition to the 14,179 foot summit
of Mount Shasta in Northern California.

Stair, 24, is a retail customer service representative at Isis in Burlington. We spoke with her at her office May 12.

Why did you decided to do this?

I had done small hikes before. I love the outdoors, but I had never considered doing a climb like this. I decided that I needed to try some new things in my life. Isis sponsors an employee to do this climb each year. They are heavily involved with the Breast Cancer Fund. After my boyfriend passed away, the letter came out inviting us to sign up for the climb, and I thought this was my time to do this. I need to do this for Lee. His mom has had two rounds of breast cancer. I need to do this for closure for myself. (Read the complete article)