Breast density linked to cancer

Where it has often been said that breast cancer is not relative to breast size or density, researchers at the Melbourne University's School of Population Health may have found other wise.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death in Australian women. Which leads me to mentioning The Breast Cancer site. Just visit the link and click to give a free mammogram. It's a great program, and I recommend every does it at least once, or every day :) It won't even cost you a thing.

Our new tee's are up at the store, so drop by and check 'em out. $2 from every sale goes to the NBCF.

(Article taken from theage.com.au)

Help us help you

Unfortunately, your Boobie Wednesday blogger is sick again, and between very little sleep, pregnancy hormones, and a stuffy head, concentration is at a minimum.

So instead of telling you about something, we're asking you, our wonderful friends and supporters, what you see in the Boobie Wednesday future.

Leave a comment and tell us:
What do you love about Boobie Wednesday?
What could we improve?
How could we expand the Boobie Wednesday empire?
Any ideas for future competitions?

And anything else you'd like to add. We love hearing from you guys.

Have a great #Boobiewed!!!

{If you're wondering "Why Lara Croft?", I like the picture, and she is kinda infamous for her boobies ;) }

Survivors and Ink

Another Boobie Wednesday approaches. It's a sunny day outside, the ground is sprinkled with white, and my brain doesn't seem to want to do anything but stare out the window...

Lets have a moment shall we...


Ok, no, this is not the view outside my window, but it is pretty right? :)..... And back to what we're supposed to be doing!

So today after many requests we're doing something in the vein of a survivor wall. There are so many women (and men) out there who deserve to be recognized for their courageous battle that there are simply too many to name, so I'm going to name the ones we all know. Yes, celebrity survivors.

Edie Falco
Sopranos star Edie Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and secretly battled it.

Melissa Etheridge
Diagnosed in 2004 with breast cancer, Etheridge is doing well.

Kate Jackson
2 time survivor Kate Jackson battled cancer in 1987 and in 1989. She is recognized as one of the most famous of the "angels" in "Charlie's Angels".

Olivia Newton John
Famous singer and actress was diagnosed 1992, underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Richard Roundtree
Shaft star is proof that breast cancer affects men, too. Roundtree was diagnosed in 1993, had a radical mastectomy and rounds of chemotherapy.

Jaclyn Smith
Charlie's Angels star, Smith discovered a lump in 2002. Treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation.

Suzanne Sommers
Actress and author Suzanne Somers was the source of much controversy when she decided to forgo standard treatment and opted alternative therapy and holistic medicine instead.

Shirley Temple Black
Child actress, Shirley Temple found a lump in 1972, and had a mastectomy.

Anastacia
The singer was diagnosed in 2003 and now raises breast cancer awareness since becoming a survivor.

And possibly the most notable breast cancer survivor (at least in my mind), Christina Applegate.


In April 2008, at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to circumstances, Christina chose to have a bilateral mastectomy. I think her story is one of strength and bravery, and if you want to read her interview with Oprah, you can do so here. I recommend it.

Many people, like Christina Applegate, choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, but others choose a different approach. Some women choose ink.

Meet Pat Fish, an amazing tattoo artist who does breast cancer related tattoo's.

"It is an unfortunate fact that breast cancer touches all our lives. In the past several years I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some outstanding people whose lives have been forever shaped by their encounters with the disease, and this page is a record of some of the work that resulted."

Pat has done some beautiful mastectomy artwork. I particularly like Beth's art.

"When we started... she just wanted two pink primroses to replace the nipples. She'd had enough of surgeries, and didn't want reconstruction, just a bit of art to help with the visual affect. I talked her into a blue monarch butterfly and we had a discussion about how covering the entire area with flowers would camouflage all the surgical scars... She has given me permission to post these photos here because she wants to help other women realize that there are options other than just living with the scars."

I think this is just gorgeous. There is more of Pats work on the page, so make sure you check it out :).

And here's some more beautiful mastectomy tattoos.





Lets give a round of applause for these strong, brave and proud women.

A little clarification...

So lately here at Boobie Wednesday, we've been taking a lot of crap because of our methods. Sadly I think this is because people are complainy and ignorant. But just for the sake of proving a point, I would like to say a few things.

First of all more than one person has said "Isn't the show of your boobs disrespectful or ignorant of those women who don't have boobs due to mastectomies?" And here's my answer - Why can't a women with a mastectomy show her chest too?

There are so many women in this world who feel insecure or inadequate, whether it's your butt, your boobs or your hips. But you know what? Us Boobie Wednesday girls, we think you're perfect no matter who or how you are, and we think you should be proud of it.

So for those that have made comments about us discriminating against women with mastectomies - Are we discriminating, or are you?

Secondly, some people seem to have a problem with us using our boobies to advertise our cause, period. (Let me re-instate here: OUR boobies). Some have even said that it's wrong to use boobie pictures when breast cancer can affect every part of the body. Yes, it's true, breast cancer can spread, but it's called breast cancer because THAT'S where it starts.

And let me ask you this. When advertising companies have been using the female body to advertise everything from cars, to clothes, to vacations, why is it so wrong to use our breasts to advertise a cause that is actually RELEVANT to the female body.

And not just the female body either. Men get breast cancer too. And we don't exclude men from our campaign. On the contrary, we have more than a few men showing their own chests on Wednesdays in support of us and to spread the message of awareness. I've yet to hear anyone complain about seeing the male Boobie Wednesday supporters on their feeds.

Thirdly, we do not MAKE people show their boobs on Wednesdays, this is purely a matter of choice. We have a variety of pictures here on the blog that people can use ranging from cute to sexy, and even then we don't care if you change your picture or not.

Boobies are fun, and they get the attention of people whose attention might not otherwise be caught, but our whole point is breast cancer awareness. It's about what you say, not necessarily what you show. So if you only want to RT us, or not even mention us at all, we don't mind. We just want people to be aware.

I think that all in all, people should be allowed to use their bodies as they wish. I think that criticising someone for showing their boobies for a good cause is like criticising someone for their hair cut. It's really just pointless. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's wrong.

And for people who have asked the question of why we don't support other cancer awareness issues, like colo-rectal, or prostate, it's really just a matter of what got me into this, and that is - my boobs. I love them. I'm proud of them. I like other people to notice them. And if I can use my endowments for a good reason, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't.

(I would also like to add that we post info about different types of cancer all through the week from our @boobiewed page.)

For those out there who still don't agree with Boobie Wednesday for whatever reason, I'm sorry, but we'll just have to agree to disagree. All I ask is that you still do your BSE's and remind others to do so. You don't even have to do it on Wednesday.

(A few words from the other half of the Boobie Wednesday Duo.
I want to say, We love each and everyone of you that believe in what we are doing every week. Without you people, We would still do this, but We would have never reached so many in so little time. You Have taught us so much about yourselves and about the brave people you have loved and lost. Thank you so very much. )

BC Treatments and Be A Designer Competition

Most of our posts on here relate to prevention and early detection. Well today our post is about some of the treatments available for those who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

When I googled this a lot of the pages I found where companies trying to sell their own products, so I turned to the ever reliable WedMD.

Now the stages of breast cancer rate from stage 0 to stage 4. The average survival rate for a stage 0 diagnosis is 100%, where as stage 4 diagnosis is usually terminal, which is why its important to do your BSE's!

Here's a list of typical treatments:

• Surgery is a standard. For smaller tumors, you might get a lumpectomy, in which only the abnormal cells and some of the tissue are removed. Some women choose a mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed. After a mastectomy, you might choose to have breast reconstruction surgery.
• Radiation therapy is standard treatment after a lumpectomy. Radiation therapy attacks any abnormal cells that might have been missed and decreases the risk of another cancer.
• Hormone therapy with tamoxifen after surgery may also help prevent cancer from developing in the same or opposite breast.
• Bilateral mastectomy -- the removal of both breasts -- is another option. Some women choose this approach because they are worried about getting cancer. They might have certain risk factors, like a strong family history of breast cancer. After surgery, you might choose to get breast reconstruction surgery. However, experts think that a bilateral mastectomy is a more extreme approach than women usually need.
• Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs that attack cancer cells. It's often used after surgery to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Women who had larger tumors are more likely to need it.
• Biological therapy is another approach. In about 25% of women with breast cancer, an excess of a protein known as HER2 makes the cancer spread quickly. Herceptin is a new drug that's been approved to treat women with metastatic breast cancer that is HER2 positive. It stops this protein from making the cancer grow and makes chemotherapy more effective. It is most often used in combination with chemotherapy. Studies have led to its use in early breast cancer.
• Clinical trials A clinical trial may allow you access to cutting-edge treatments. Many new therapies -- new drugs, new treatments, and new combinations -- are in clinical trials now. Keep in mind that any successful treatment we have now started out in a clinical trial.
• Other drugs may also help treat some of the side effects of breast cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and infections.

So for any of you who ever wanted to know the options, whether for yourself or a family member, that's the standard list.

Just remember that every cancer is different, every patient is different, so every treatment is different. What worked for your friend might not work for you. Make sure you have good communication with your doctor and be open to their suggestions.

Ok, now that we've covered our serious issue for the week, we can get to the fun. Yes, FUN! Boobie Wednesday is bringing you a new competition! (Competition is now closed).

Basically, we've been asking you guys for AGES to help us come up with designs for the t-shirts at the Boobie Wednesday store, and some of your ideas have been great! Unfortunately, neither myself nor my partner in crime have the necessary resources to actually make the designs ourselves, so we're giving you the floor!

So here's the details. We need a t-shirt design, related to breast cancer awareness, and/or Boobie Wednesday and it must be (this is very important) ORIGINAL. We cannot accept entries that are reminiscent of any other campaign logos, or slogans or anything like that.

Secondly, it needs to be on a transparent background, and preferably saved in PNG format. Also to bigger you can make it the better. :)

If you've got all that done, send it to us at boobiewed@yahoo.com

What does the winner get, you ask? The winner gets to see their design in the Boobie Wednesday store! (AND you'll have good karma, because all the money we raise from selling your design will go to the NBCF).

So get creative and get em in! We'll be closing the competition on February 1oth, so you've got about a month to get your entry in.

Good luck!

Boobies 2010

Welcome to the first Boobie Wednesday blog of the new year!

I first want to take the time to give all our supporters a big squishy boobie hug. You guys have been awesome, and have really carried the #boobiewed message into the new year. We couldn't do it without you.

We also want to thank all those people who have shared their stories with us. We are truly honored that you would share your lives with us, and we hope more of you will :).

But now is the time of new beginnings so I figured we'd start 2010 with a new mission-plan (I hate the words mission-plan, it sounds so corporate), and some new picture choices.

So I'm sure you've all read the welcome post, and that about it covers it, but in 2010 we plan to bring you info on breast cancer, support groups, preventatives and treatments, a few competitions, and a lot of fun.

We will continue the message of the importance of BSE's, and the showing of our boobies on Wednesday. (he he)

We're still selling Boobie Wednesday stuff at the store, and $2 from every purchase goes to the NBCF, so make sure you drop by and see if there's anything you like. There's also a PayPal button over there on the right, if you want to donate instead of buy, and that will also go directly to the NBCF.

Now in the spirit of Boobie Wednesday, and because we understand that some people would rather not flaunt their chestal region, we're going to give you some pics that we think are cool.

You are free to use any and all of these, so please do.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Stick this in your pie hole (alternatively titled - Cancer Fighting Foods)

Don't know what to cook for Christmas dinner? Consider this - Did you know that certain types of food help prevent cancer? Even breast cancer specifically? Well, you do now :)

Add these goodies to your dinner table and know that not only are you eating healthy, you could be doing yourself more good than you thought.

Yellow and orange vegetables are high in beta-carotene and this is linked lower rates of breast cancer. Carrots are the best source for this, and the beta-carotene in baby carrots is even more absorbable than that of regular carrot, and it's 500% more absorbable cooked than raw.

Cruciferous (or cabbage type) vegetables, like radish, broccoli, cauliflower, rutabaga, cabbage, turnips, and turnip greens, contain indole-3-carbinol, which lowers the levels of a type of estrogen that may promote breast cancer.

Tomatoes, in all forms, from sun dried to ketchup, contain lycopene. It has been shown that people who have a diet high in lycopene are linked to lower rates of breast and prostate cancer.

Grapes had awesome antioxidant cancer fighting power, and they make a really pretty centre piece. Go for Concord grapes if you can ;)

Foods high in omega-3, like cold water fish, and nuts and seeds are great cancer fighters. Studies have shown that women with higher omega-3 tissue levels have lower rates of breast cancer.

Cherries will not only make a pretty addition to your grapes as a centre piece, they have also proven to inhibit cancer in rats.

And because none of us want to sit here all day, here's the rest of the list:

Whole grains

Butter NOT margarine

Green tea

Olive oil

Garlic (hint: after you've peeled and chopped, leave to rest for 10 mins, this will allow all those cancer fighting goodies to form)

Spinach

Flaxseed

Soy

Fennel

Add some of these goodies to your Christmas table, and not only will you have a happy, healthy Christmas, you'll have a cancer fighting one too.

On that note, and seeing as how this our last post for 2009, we'd like to thank you all so much for helping to spread the word, and we wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Boobie Love ;)

We got our info from NaturalHealthWeb

The Calm in the Chaos

I figure we're all stressing right about now, aren't we? (I know I am). Thanksgiving was barely over before you realised - 'Oh crap, It's only a month till Christmas' - And then you start trying to figure out what presents to buy, and for whom, and how much to spend, and who's coming over for Christmas dinner, and which relatives to visit, and then there's the cards to write, and the tree to get and/or decorate, and should you do the outdoor display this year....

So I think that today, we all need to relax and recharge, and lucky for you I know some really good ways to do it :)

1.The Bath

This is number one because it's my favourite ;)

Find half an hour in your day that you won't be disturbed, (for most of us this is after the kids are in bed), and run yourself a hot bath - the hotter the better. The heat and the steam will not only have a sauna effect but with encourage your pores to expel all the grease and dirt.

While the water's running, find an old sock, and fill it with one cup of oats, then tie a knot in it and drop it in the bath. This is often referred to as a milk bath because it makes the water turn white. All the good stuff from the oats will treat your skin while you soak, and when you get out your skin will feel fabulous.

And if you want to, you can add a few drops of lavender oil for a calm effect, or sandalwood which is said to promote peace of mind. Light some candles and turn off the light if you feel the need.

(Unfortunately I have seen way too many scary movies to be able to relax in a darkened bathroom. :P )

2. The Lotion

When you get out of the bath, grab your favourite lotion and have at it. Make sure you don't just use it on the usual spots, like your face and hands but cover your whole body. This is really simple, but it'll make you feel wonderful, and wonderful = happy = relaxed.

3. The Clothes

No matter what you'll be doing with your night, make sure to wear your comfiest clothes. I love my flannel PJ's best, but if you can't pick, try going for a specific colour.

Red will help out if you plan to get lucky, as it raises sexual awareness and men tend to find women in red very sexy ;)

Orange will cheer you up, and help you think positively.

Yellow will help you find inspiration, so if you're still stressing over some of those holiday choices, yellow might be your answer.

Green promotes harmony and balance and has a soothing effect.

Blue is a calming colour, and is the number one pick for straight up relaxation.

Purple will help you feel renewed and also supposedly helps you sleep.

White is the colour of enlightenment and spirituality, so if thats your thing, go for it.

You can check this site for the full colour spectrum.

4. The Food

Pick something don't eat a lot of, but really enjoy. Pizza, chocolate, popcorn, a footlong sub, whatever. It's really sad, but my comfort food is beef stew. I hardly ever eat it, but I love it. Just remember not to eat to much. Being stuffed will ruin your comfortable feeling.

5. Activity

Burning off energy is a great way to beat stress. Laughing, dancing, and sex are great energy burners, and usually the most popular choices. Watching a funny movie, going out with your friends, and getting lucky are the best choices for relieving tension and getting rid of excess energy, which will not only make you feel better, it'll help you sleep better too.

I feel the need to add here, that before I had a husband and kids who refused to let me, I used to go the grocery store in my goofy pajamas when I was stressed out. It felt good to walk it off and I giggled hysterically at all the looks I got. Always made me feel better.

Yes, I am a little weird.

Just a little.

And that ends todays lesson on chilling out. Don't forget to check out our cool Boobie Wednesday products at our store. $2 from every sale is donated to the NBCF, and if you have a few pennies to spare click on our PayPal link to donate to our Christmas Fund. :)

Every boob counts.

Everyone affected by Breast Cancer has a story. Here's yours.

This week i want to show Everyone the touching and gut wrenching stories of the Boobie Wednesday friends and fans.

So many of you have shared with us How breast cancer has touched you.

This is what Terilynn Wrote in her Blog. http://terilynnstrek.blogspot.com/2009/10/different-sort-of-place.html

"Having lost a sister-in-law from this horrific disease as well as knowing FAR TOO MANY women and at least one man who suffer from its affects, I decided to participate.While I have always supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation, I really like the quirky, and quite frankly EFFECTIVE way these women have decided to get into the act."

This is from Madman459's Blog. http://madmansmess.blogspot.com/2009/11/finally-boobiewed.html?showComment=1258080511775#c4721156791964261489

"Breast cancer affects EVERYONE. Guys, us too. We've got the same plumbing, just not all the padding. Self examination is key, catch it early and it can be taken care of relatively easily and save your life. I have a sister in-law who survived breast cancer, but wound up losing a breast in the process. Luckily, she has been cancer-free ever since. This woman is a saint. Or at least she will be, eventually. (Hopefully, many decades from now.) I'm doing this for her and for every other person who has had to go through the ordeals of varying stages of breast cancer. It's a horrible disease that attacks the most fun, eye-catching, comforting and yes, nurturing part of the human body."

UberDorkGirlie's Blog is about her Aunt Carol and how she touched her life in many ways, including fighting Breast Cancer. Her story made us laugh and cry. http://lifeinmonkeyland.blogspot.com/2009/10/yup-ive-got-boobs.html

"I have a million great aunt Carol stories. But damn it, I should have a million more. My monkeys should have their own arsenal of great aunt Carol stories forming. OMG she would so love them. And she would so be their favorite. But, Cancer felt otherwise."

And Squozed's Story of his Mom's Winning fight is courageous and telling. http://squozedtoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/a-worthy-cause/

"Thankfully, we had a lot of friends and family who were nearby to help while she went through the treatments. My grandmother made her some beautiful scarves to cover her head that she still will wear to this day on certain occasions. Slowly, she started regaining her strength, able to do small things until she was well enough to do the routine tasks that she used to do taken for granted again. I am happy to say that she has been in remission since those treatments, only having one minor relapse a couple of years ago."

And our creative friends..

This art is from LittleAnimation

And SeantaClaus add to the Boobie Wednesdays Shirts. http://seantaclaus.livejournal.com/492050.html

And here are the Articles and Honorable mentions we have had.

Geektome's Article.. http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/geek-to-me/2009/09/show-us-your-boobies.html

Geekgirls Interview with our Co-founder Shimmer418 http://geekgirlsnetwork.com/blog/2009/11/boobie-wednesday

Tattooed_mummy's Blog. http://tattooedmummy.blogspot.com/2009/10/woo-hoo-boobies.html

Kylee E. Lane's Blog http://luxurylanesoap.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-are-my-bewbs-on-twitter.html

I just want to thank each and everyone who has helped us spread the Boobie Wednesday Message. You know who you are.