Archive for December, 2007

Happy New Years Eve!

Again, sorry everyone, no real post today.  I just wanted to wish everyone a very fun, but also very safe New Years Eve tonight.  Remember, don’t drink and drive, and actually it’s best if you try to stay off the roads all together on this night, but if you have to drive, be careful!

Happy ALMOST NEW YEARS BreastNewsMagazine.com readers.

With love and gratitude,

BreastNewsMagazine.com

Worried About Genetic Breast Cancer Testing?

It’s an amazingly advanced concept that has come from the world of genetic research and the very brand new and budding field of genetic testing, which many think is the next step in our great medical research advancements, since it has so many indications in modern preventive science.  Genetic testing could very well take us to the next stage of evolution in our life spans, so it is a very interesting field, and it could save many lives. 

Breast cancer research, as it relates to genetic testing, is one of the first fields that offer genetic testing, again in it’s infancy stages, because breast cancer is a disease that can be definitively linked to certain hereditary genes that can be passed down generations in women.  If women who are genetically more prone to carry these “defective” genes that increase their chances of getting breast cancer dramatically, can be genetically tested so they can take precautionary steps so they do not end up with cancer, or at least greatly reduce their chances, this has great meaning in the world of prevention of breast cancer. 

However, as with any great new testing and medical research, even the researchers who have come up with the genetic tests for breast cancer caution against those that are a little overzealous in their quest to stay healthy, and advise it’s best to not over-worry as this is not good for heatlh. 

They say that the only women who should really be concerned with getting the breast cancer gene test are ones that have the disease in their female family members, particularly on their maternal side (like me, my mother’s sister had breast cancer and ended up passing away from it sadly).  If you do not have the genetic predisposition as of yet, they say that this test is most likely not for you, as drugs that are preventive in nature are most likely going to be overly cautious if you do not carry the genes. 

If you think you might be a carrier, then talk to your family doctor and he should be able to put your in the right direction to get the test done.  No word yet on whether most insurance companies will cover this if you need it.  Like everything else, it probably depends on how comprehensive your insurance plan is (unfortunately we have to rely on the determination of someone who is not emotionally invested to make these decisions). 

Merry Christmas from Breast News Magazine!

Hello!  I really am not writing anything today, since it is Christmas day and like everyone else, I am on my way to family and friends, but I wanted to take the time to wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas, or whatever holiday it is that you celebrate around this time of year.

We should all count our blessings around this time, and think about the positives in our life instead of the negatives.  After all, it is a time for rebirth, renewal and rejoicing, and that is really what the holiday is all about. 

Here’s to another year of health breasts, good bras and better and better breast cancer research and solutions to be had by us all our friends and family.  And let’s not forget, more great news about breast implant alternatives and the newest phenom, breast enhancement gum!  There is sure to be lots of exciting news in the coming year, and we’re just gearing up for some of that!   

Chemo Less Necessary for Breast Cancer?

It used to be that the “standard” treatment for breast cancer involved some form of chemotherapy, especially if it was in more advanced stages.  After studies were done that strongly suggested chemo may definitely not be all that it’s cracked up to be in the treatment of breast cancer, and that also it could affect the survival rate of some patients – to the negative, more breast cancer research studies have recently come out that seem to be further discrediting such harsh treatments for breast cancer. 

I personally had a relative that passed away from the disease more than ten years ago, and watched chemotherapy literally waste her away before my family’s eyes, making her a shadow of her former self.  After I witnessed that, I vowed to myself that if my mother or any woman close to me were to get breast cancer, I would search high and low for effective alternative therapies to something that I considered, and still consider, almost worse than the disease itself. 

That’s just my personal opinion, and I’m sure there are some it has helped, but I feel that it only helps at the cost of severely destroying the healthy cells as well, and making one’s quality of life suffer tremendously, so I question the logic in that. 

Anyways, new studies are showing that women that even may have cancer that has spread into their lymph nodes may be able to bypass more serious treatments such as chemotherapy and other harsh, cell destroying drugs, and move to a more gentle approach.  In fact, they are looking at evidence that this can even extend lifespan and improve chances of a full remission.

Indeed, this is wonderful news for all women, as we are all at risk.  Some of us more than others due to female family history (like myself).  It pays to read the news on this, as it could definitely affect one of us, or someone near and dear to us. 

Maidenform Wireless Bra Review

I think I have found a new favorite bra.  I was in the Kohl’s department store the other day, and I was supposed to be shopping for others, but a new rack of bras that was on sale caught my attention, and I ended up buying one of them.  Maidenform makes great bras – in my opnion, they are much superior to the Victoria’s Secret bras, and usually they are priced much more fairly as well.  They are well made and last forever it seems. 

Well, I ended up buying a nude toned wireless, padless bra that was advertised as providing support without being a nuisance or uncomfortable.  Just a warning though, this bra is extremely thin, and will not protect against nipples showing through if you’re prone to getting hard nipples, like I am, when you are cold, so it’s probably best used as a winter bra, or only under heavier shirts like sweatshirts and sweater, or with a layered looked so you are protected against the nipples showing through if they do get hard. 

It is made of a very stretchy, thin material that is almost like some underwear that I wear.  It is some sort of nylon mix, and boy, let me tell you – it’s comfy.  It offers a natural breast enhancement because it does enhance the curves, but it doesn’t do it by pushing or shoving your breasts upward, rather it shapes them nicely and leaves them at the level they’re supposed to be, if that makes any sense at all to anyone but me!  Most bras that I have to wear to work are the kind that have a bit of padding and support, and usually have underwires.  Even if they don’t they seem invasive to me. 

While I would prefer to wear no bra at all, I’d have to say this Maidenform seemless bra with no underwire is a great alternative for those that hate bras.  While it cannot be worn for all occasions, it’s a great bra for errands and things where you just throw on a tshirt.  It’s also very reasonably priced at $14 because of it’s simply construction.  Oh, the straps are also very thin and uninvasive, which adds to its comfort and versatility as a comfy bra.

Decollete and Cleavage Enhancers for Holidays

It’s holiday time, and I’m sure the first thing on your mind is how to dress up your breasts!  Just kidding of course.  If you’re like me, the first thing on your mind is getting all that Christmas shopping done and out of the way, so you can rest assured that you have it all done before the big day, as well as the fact that you don’t have to go out in the madness that is the Christmas shopping season again. Cripes, I almost got rear ended twice, and side swiped a few times, just trying to get out of mall and plaza parking lots! 

Anyways, with all the fancy and dress down holiday parties that are bound to come your way, you may want some tips on how to dress up your cleavage and decollete a bit so that you can look your prettiest and most feminine, tastefully, when attending these little events.  You may even be the bell of the ball – especially if you’re wearing a cute strapless number!

We all know that spilling too much cleavage out at a work event, or any other event for that matter, is really a matter of class, and it’s not something we’d like to be whispered or talked about.  So rule one is keep the cleavage at a minimum.  If you want to look classy without drawing stares, or even snickers, then keep the boobs tucked away a bit, and only respectfully hint a little that you got it going on behind that dress!

You can wear a push up bra to accentuate your curves, or if you want to accentuate a bit more, you can even try a gel bra or water bra, which is totally fun to wear for a night out.  You can also dust a little subtly shimmery powder on the chest as well as the decollete, which is the delicate area between your neck and your breasts.  Be careful not to overdo it. 

You don’t want to look like a teen girl at a prom, but rather subtly enhance what you’ve got by adding a little dimension and soft shimmer to it.  Some women have even reported using a dab of vaseline between their breasts to add a little enhancement to the area.  It’s a great breast implant alternative, because it makes the breasts appear larger and fuller, as well as adds a fun little sheen to this provocative area.  This is an easy and cheap way to enhance the cleavage, and goes virtually undetected. 

Boob Showdown : Pam Anderson, Angelina Jolie

Well, it was recently polled who the “sexiest women of all time” were – that is – of our current time, and the results are in.  And what a shock (not), two of the most tabloid friendly women who have always been known for their ultra sexy images and sultry roles, Angelina Jolie and Pamela Anderson were selected.  I’m not sure if this poll was made of women and men, or just men, but by the results, I’d estimate that maybe it was made primarily of men – just a wild guess on my part though. 

As far as the two go, I’d have to say Angelina would be my favorite.  She’s just much more natural than Pam, and her boobs are blown up like basketballs, which is Pam’s biggest detractor, although she apparently thinks they’re her biggest (no pun intended) asset when it comes to her sexiness.  Pam’s got a beautiful face, but it does look as though she may have had some work done lately, and her boobs for me really take away from her natural beauty.

On the other hand, it looks like Angelina is all natural, and was graced with a perfect set of large B cups or smaller C cups by nature (I know, so unfair, right).  I still can’t figure out how she stays stick thin and keeps her boobs though.  We all know that the first thing to go when we lose weight is the breasts, and somehow Angelina has kept her breasts a pretty steady size for her whole life.  I always wonder if her secret is some sort of breast implant alternative, since they seem to defy the laws of nature and womanhood. 

Maybe, unbenknownst to us, Angelina is a fan of something like Bountiful Breast!  Hmm….could be true, maybe.  I’m just guessing really – actually I’m just jealous that she keeps her breasts through all that dramatic weight loss, and pregnancy and childbirth to boot!  They don’t even seem to sag, for Goodness sake! 

I have to admit, I was a bigger fan of the more voluptuous Jolie though.  Her newfound waifeshness is really detracting from her facial beauty, by making her appear older and more tired, whereas when her face was a bit plumper, she had the natural luminosity that a nicely filled out face gives.  Angelina, please, eat a piece of chocolate cake or something, for God’s sakes! 

And then, maybe you can make your way back into the good graces of women also!  It’s simply sending a bad message to young girls that being extremely thin is a good thing.  The likes of Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham, who has implants, but no body fat, are really making it harder on young women by creating ideals that are hard to emulate. 

Weight Gain a No-No for Breast Cancer Patients

We’ve all heard that excess weight and weight gain, especially in a woman’s later years after her estrogen starts to decrease, are known, or at least heavily suspected factors in increasing a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, so now that there is new research which actually quantitatively correlates that story, or at least that weight gain in breast cancer patients increases risks of a cancer relapse, it is a reality that women with this history or with the disease currently have to take very seriously.

It was proven recently in studies that for every roughly ten to eleven pounds that a woman gains after she is diagnosed with breast cancer, her chances of survival go down, or let me put it another way, her chances of dying from the disease goes up another 14 percent, which is statistically very significant for women with breast cancer who are serious about beating the disease. 

Diet and exercise factors enter into the frey when it comes to chances of surviving breast cancer, and doctors now have new incentives and more solid evidence to share with their patients when they educate them on how important the diet and exercise factors are if they are to beat the disease successfully on healthy terms.

The study was commissioned by the now very famous Susan G Komen foundation, which was founded by a great woman who’s sister succumbed to the disease several years ago.  The foundation puts on events such as marathons that donate all proceeds to the further study of breast cancer, breast cancer prevention research, and new drugs and preventive measures to treat the disease. 

Why the Perfect Bra Would Be a Best Seller

I have talked to all my female friends about this, and let me tell you, there is almost no woman who will not agree with me when I say that we all really can’t stand wearing bras.  I keep asking around to see if any of my girlfriends have managed to find a perfect, comfortable bra (that means comfortable ALL DAY, not just for a couple hours or when you first put it on), so if any of you readers have discovered this seeming holy grail, and it’s not ridiculously expensive or hard to find, please do tell!

You see, I’ve tried all the more expensive brands – the Vanity Fair, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret bras (which are expensive and seem to fall apart easily, and that’s not just according to me, but many of my friends as well), then there’s Olga, who I actually liked but then they stopped carrying the one bra they made that I liked, and there are countless others I’ve spent my money on and they are of varying degrees of comfort, but none so far have really wowed me in their quality and endurance, but their all day support, without feeling restrictive or pinchy by the end of the day.

I mean, there is a reason that the first thing most women rip off when they get home from a long day at work, is their bra!  That’s the first thing I’m concerned with taking off.  My shirt barely comes off and I’m tearing at my bra clasps to get the darned contraption off as quickly as I can, so I can enjoy the rest of my evening in bra-free peace and comfort.

There has to be some bra maker out there that has the best bra in the world – something that not only fits perfect, but moves with the body, almost like you can’t even tell that it is there, never restraining-feeling or squeezing your chest.  That’s what I’m looking for.  Hmm, sounds like a good business idea, maybe I’ll partner with some major bra maker!  I know, I’m being silly, that’s probably already been done, right?

Breasts Are Focal Point for “Deal or No Deal” Girls

I’m not a fan of the show “Deal or No Deal”.  In fact, there is something about it I can’t stand.  I’m not sure if I’m just bored when I watch it (which admittedly is only one time so maybe I didn’t give it a chance), or if the objectification of the girls they use in the show is that repugnant to me that I simply can’t watch it.  I mean, I can see why guys would love the show, simply to watch the girls prance around and hold those infamous cases of money with their glossy hair, and perfect makeup and tans, oh and the boobs, of course, the plethora of boobs and cleavage!

It just goes to show that the female breast is still such a powerful marketing tool that you can virtually sell a whole show based on the idea that you’ll get to see lots of “jiggle action” when you tune it.  And women arent’ totally immune to the power of the breasts either.  I must admit that when I see a pair of perfect breasts and perfect cleavage, there is something about it that sort of mesmerizes me.  Is it because I’m looking at it with envy or is it just that the female breast has that much of a subconscious impact on all of us that I simply can’t HELP myself staring at it?

Remember the Man Show and the juggies?  There’s a perfect example of marketing a show by breasts – oh and humor too, because I was admittedly a fan of that show, and I do like Jimmy Kimmel so it was fun to watch.  My boyfriend of course liked the juggies and their nightly after-show romps on the trampoline and skimpy skirts.  Why are female breasts such a powerful force?  Gosh, no wonder so many women are getting breast implants and searching for breast implant alternatives like breast enhancement gum and breast enlargement pills.  

There have been many hypotheses about this, but I do believe that it is because they signify the giving of life, at the heart of it.  While that may seem like a heady explanation for a part of the body which is essentially a big pile of excess fat, that’s what I think it instinctually boils down to, although in society today it seems to have boiled down to a sometimes frat party like shallow subjectification.  And that’s my take!