Cancer and Angelina Jolie's Big Decision

Jolie announced Tuesday she underwent a double mastectomy to prevent her chances of breast cancer.

Actress Angelina Jolie announced Tuesday in a New York Times op-ed piece that she recently underwent a double mastectomy to cut her chances of developing breast cancer after discovering she carries the "faulty" gene, BRCA1. Jolie wrote she decided to receive genetic testing since she was at a higher risk of breast cancer — her mother fought the disease for almost a decade before dying at age 56 — and because she wanted to make sure she would be there for her children, according to her New York Times column. Patch caught up with Selvi Palaniappan, MS, CGC Coordinator at Northside Hospital Hereditary Cancer Program, to learn more about these cancer genes. P: What are the BRCA genes? SP: They are two different genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. …

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Breast Cancer in Young Women: Resources and Statistics in Alpharetta

Breast cancer isn't age specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.

Generally speaking, a woman in Georgia state has a 23 percent chance of getting breast cancer, according to this breast cancer statistics chart from komen.org. An American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to the website. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. Breast …

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SHARE: Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors in Alpharetta and Milton

"Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors" shares the wisdom of breast cancer survivors with the newly diagnosed. What's your story?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the greatest challenges for those who have been newly diagnosed is finding sources of support. Patients are eager for information on everything from enduring surgery and chemotherapy to how to deal with hair loss. While there are many local resources and support groups available in Alpharetta and Milton, women can also find comfort in a sisterhood of survivors who have already been in their shoes. Best selling author and breast cancer survivor Barbara Delinsky has gathered the wisdom of hundreds of breast cancer survivors who are eager to inspire those who are new to the “breast cancer sisterhood.” She shares all of the stories and tidbits she found in her book "Uplift: Secrets from…

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Agile on the Green Raises $20,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure

The Alpharetta staffing company's annual golf tournament draws technology executives from around the area for the fund raiser.

Leading technology executives from across Atlanta turned out for the 9th annual Agile on the Green charity golf tournament on Oct. 2, raising more than $20,000 in net proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Greater Atlanta Affiliate, with funds helping to provide affordable mammograms throughout metro Atlanta. Despite the rainy weather, participants joined together to make this year’s event hosted by staffing firm Agile Resources Inc. another resounding success, the staffing company reported in a news release on Oct. 9. Agile on the Green was created in 2004 by Agile’s chief executive officer, Tricia Dempsey, following her own successful fight against stage-three breast cancer. Over the years, Agile on the Green has donated over…

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Breast Cancer Support Groups in Alpharetta and Milton

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here's a list of local breast cancer support groups.

One in 8 American women and 1 in 1,000 American men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year. Breast cancer is difficult to face alone—for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups. Alpharetta First United Methodist Church offers a Breast Cancer Support Group for those in all stages of the Breast Cancer journey. The third Monday of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm at the Bagley House. Turning Point Services: Breast Cancer Patient and Community Education Contact Information: Northwoods Office Park, 11180 State Bridge Road, Suite 503, Alpharetta, …

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Find Resources for Support, Health During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Patch provides resources for you every week in October.

Healthy Living Can Prevent Breast Cancer: Alpharetta, Milton Resources

Research shows good nutrition and exercise can help prevent breast cancer. Here are some resources around Alpharetta and Milton to help you stay healthy.

You might be able to find help fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers at your local grocery store and fitness centers, according to the research findings of Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD.  Dr. Neuhouser is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in nutritional sciences. She is an investigator at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Some factors may prevent breast and prostate cancer and improve survivorship in those diagnosed with cancer.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die …

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Free Breast Cancer Screening for Uninsured

The local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate is funding mammogram and other breast diagnostic procedures through Northside Hospital.

Do you know any women who are 35 or older and have no health insurance? They may be eligible for free mammograms and other breast cancer detection services from Northside Hospital. Grants totaling more than $537,000 have been received from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate, with $189,626.50 received in 2012. The grants fund screening mammograms and other breast diagnostic procedures for women who cannot afford them. This is the tenth year that Northside has received grant money from Komen Atlanta. To be eligible for the free mammogram services, applicants must qualify for financial assistance and reside in Fulton, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry or Rockdale counties. Additionally, …

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North Fulton Hospital Raises Almost $20,000 for the Cure

The Power of Pink luncheon raised awareness, donations.

North Fulton Hospital used the Power of Pink to raise almost $20,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. CEO Debbie Keel and Lindsey Harber, director of Business Development of North Fulton Hospital, presented a check to Kelly Dolan, the executive director of the Greater Atlanta affiliate for $19,773. The donation encompasses the proceeds of the Power of Pink, the breast cancer awareness luncheon hosted by the hospital last month. “To raise such a significant amount of money at an inaugural event is a point of pride for the hospital,” said Keel. “We could not have done it without our generous sponsors, the involvement of the community and the efforts of our Women’s Advisory Board.” The event was held at the Country Club of Roswell, where …

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Support A Cause And Save Money

Breast Cancer Awareness month is here and there are a lot of great promotions going on that donate money to find a cure and save shoppers on items they may already buy anyway.

October is breast cancer awareness month and many stores and brands are participating in the cause. This is not only great for the search for a cure, but it is also for those of us who love a great deal. By joining in on supporting breast cancer awareness, shoppers can save money on a wide variety of items, many that they would buy anyway. Ulta has a great promotion going on right now. They have many products that are specially packaged with a percentage of the proceeds going to the cause. The best is on haircare. If you already use high end products like TIGI, this is a great time to stock up. I bought the same exact hairspray that I buy normally for half of the price. The only difference was that it has a pink can. Stocking up on …

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