The Breast Views Blog: The One-Tonne Challenge - Welcome!

This is not a clever ploy to guilt you into a weight loss scheme. Rather, this program is designed to help you see how your behaviour influences the quality of the air we breath, water we drink and soil we have for growing our food.

We are all inter-connected. Your health is influenced by how environmentally responsibly I live my life...and visa versa.

Please, take the challenge. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it.
The One-Tonne Challenge - Welcome!

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar
Supporting Women's Health (and pretty much everyone else's too)

The Breast Views Blog: Women & Environments International Magazine

Canada's longest standing feminist magazine Women & Environments International Magazine is published by a small and dedicated team that work out of the Institute of Women's Studies & Gender Studies, New College, U. of Toronto.

Each issue is themed toward a topic. All content is intelligent.

Sue Richards
P.S. Women & Environments has been a long time supporter of the Breast of Canada calendar.

The Breast Views Blog: Brigit's Notes

The Canadian Women's Health Network publishes this monthly e-bulletin Brigit's Notes.

Their stand out quote of this issue: "Together we have power."

Sue Richards

Other pithy, pesky, prodding blogs that I consume myself with.
Calendar Girl Blog
My Menopause Blog

The Breast Views Blog: Motherhood Celebrations

This site is beautiful and inspired.

"Entering motherhood is a very important rite of passage, which deserves to be marked and celebrated." Bellyblessings Celebrations is a lovely way to honour that journey.

Sue Richards
Publisher
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health

The Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health is one of four national Centres of Excellence for Women's Health funded by the Women's Health Bureau, Health Canada. The Centres are dedicated to conducting policy-oriented research aimed at improving the health status of Canadian women by making the health system more aware of and responsive to women's health needs.

The goal of the Atlantic Centre is to support research, influence policy and promote action on the social factors that affect women's health and well-being over their lifespan. It supports a woman-centred approach that respects women's perspectives and experiences, and listens to the voices of women not typically heard in health research or health systems.

Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Toxic Breast Milk?

This story came by way of Rebecca Blood, posted back in January 05.

Bet there's been no cleanup yet.
The New York Times: Toxic Breast Milk?

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Breast Cancer Book List

Willow Breast Cancer Support & Resource Services in Toronto, provides timely access to information, compassionate support, facilitator training, and psychosocial education to people with breast cancer, their families and friends, and healthcare professionals across Canada.

The WILLOW - Book lists / bibliographies is an excellent resource for anyone who simply don't know where to start when it comes to finding the most appropriate book. Nicely broken down into categories. Includes books for partners and children.

Sue Richards

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

The Breast Views Blog: Preventing Breast Cancer

Sue Mcleod, from New Zealand, presented at the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Halifax. (If you wander back to early June posts, you'll find a slew of details about the conference.)

Sue is a breast cancer survivor. Her simple, bottom line message: Prevention is a Cure.

Her work, Preventing Breast Cancer details 10 Easy Steps for you to consider working into your frame of reference and day to day life.

If ten ideas overwhelm you, pick one. Or simply notice how this info impacts you.

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Skin Deep

While I'm on the subject, here's a denial crushing site for you to cruise.

Skin Deep will give you the skinny on what you apply to your body everyday.

Warning: Not for the faint of heart or firm believers in Big Brother.

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: What is in Our Cosmetics

A few year's ago, I swore off name brand toothpastes. My main reason; I hated the flip tops. After a few squeezes of the old tube, the spout and cap seemed to get bunged up resulting in crusty toothpaste. How I hated getting one of those lumps in my mouth.

True, my level of health awareness was being prodded as my paste was drying out and I couldn't help wonder what was in the stuff I swished around my mouth and let dribble down my throat daily.

Then I read Campaign for Safe Cosmetic. Let's just say that the tube I was using, even though it claimed to be natural, included some nasty ingredience. I threw it out and found a friendlier brand.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetic adds some context for why we as consumers and users of these daily products need to stop trusting and start asking questions....just for the health of it.

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Water Bottle Blues

Given the heat, at least in my part of the world, I thought it wise to draw attention to the health risks associated with certain water bottles. On the Trail of Water Bottle Toxins...

Plastic is not the 'revolutionary friend" that we've been lead to believe. Beware(y).

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Ontario will fast-track breast cancer drug Herceptin

This is a follow-up to yesterday's story about the availability of Herceptin in Ontario. My latest question is: Is getting a front page story in a national newspaper the way to motivate our Ministry of Health to take action?
The Globe and Mail: Ontario will fast-track breast cancer drug

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: Breast cancer survivors fighting for new drug: Herceptin

I have just one question. How can any drug for 1 person cost $100,000.00 US for a year of treatment?
The Globe and Mail: Breast cancer survivors fighting for new drug

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: GirlSpoken - Creative Voices for Change

For my 2005 Breast of Canada Launch, I hosted a brilliant exhibit called Making Her Mark. The work, both visual and written was created by girls, of all ages, from all over Ontario. Very thought provoking and informative.

GirlSpoken - Creative Voices for Change

Sue Richards

The Breast Views Blog: The Campaign to Control Cancer

I just found a website with an 'Access Your Cancer Risk' questionnaire. It includes a comprehensive list of cancer types to choose from. Since I'm 'breastcentric, I clicked through the Breast Cancer questions.

My results: I'm slightly below average in 'likely to get breast cancer'. One of the reasons for my score was that: "I'm not tall."

I'm a lengthy 5'5.5".

I had no idea that my 'not tallness' was good for my health.

So now you know.

Short people, live longer.

Here's what my breast cancer report claimed.

Height
Being tall may raise your risk of colon cancer and breast cancer. Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that tall people have more cells in their bodies, which increases the number of cells that could become cancerous. Another reason may be that tall people grow faster as children. Faster growth is linked to changes in the genetic structure (DNA) of the body's cells, eventually causing them to become cancerous.

Go ahead and take the test. The Campaign to Control Cancer

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Abreast In A Boat

On Monday night, Katie and I went out to the Boat Club on Guelph Lake for a picnic our first of the year. There were a smattering of doubles (rowers) a four, eight and a couple of sailboats enjoying the picture perfect evening. Then the Guelph Dragon Boat team, the Breast Strokes, took to the lake and the energy instantly changed. Their fire truck red boat, with drummer perched on the front and helmswoman steering the way provided an exciting display of group power and teamwork.

Apparently the breast cancer survivors foray into dragon boating started with a Vancouver group, Abreast In A Boat, now celebrating their 10th Anniversary.

Breast-cancer survivors create band of sisters on water
Abreast in a Boat crews mark 10 years on dragon boats with solo festival

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Men Get Breast Cancer

I came across this story in my Globe and Mail this morning. Likely the headline will surprise you. Most people don't realize that men can get breast cancer. But not only do men get breast cancer, they are often mis-diagnosed and then over treated with unnecessary radiation.

Some men with breast cancer may not need radiation after mastectomy: study

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Venus Envy Links and Resources

When I was in Halifax, I popped into my best east coast retailer. Venus Envy is located on busy Barrington Street and sport a good sized store with a brilliant selection of cool gal oriented stuff. Venus Envy

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Young Women with Breast Cancer in Canada

The Canadian Breast Cancer Network has dedicated a new site to young women living with breast cancer. They are looking for members to join the initiative.

For details on how you can find support geared to your demographics, check out CBCN >>> Young Women with Breast Cancer in Canada.

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Canadian Breast Cancer Network Outreach Newsletter

The Canadian Breast Cancer Network, the national network and voice of breast cancer survivors, publishes an electronic newsletter 8 times a year. Here is their latest edition, fresh off the server.

May 2005

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Pinkwash??

While I'm on the subject, here's another 'pinkwash' story from Breast Cancer Action Montreal.

Profits in Pink


Sue Richards
Breast of Canada

The Breast Views Blog: The Pink Ribbon Blues

I attended a workshop at the World Conference on Breast Cancer that was hosted by Madeleine Bird from Breast Cancer Action Montreal. The workshop was called The Pink Ribbon Blues. The focus was 'cause marketing'.

Essentially, the presentation suggested asking questions about the destination of the money you are donating or about the product you are buying BEFORE you pull out your wallet. The second point was to consider supporting work that addresses issues dealing with PREVENTION. And finally, does the product harm us (environment)? Is the corporation double dealing? (Do they support breast cancer and manufacture something that is cancer causing?

The reaction....an incredible display of defensiveness, which included fear, anger and guilt. All because someone is suggesting that we THINK.

The Pink Ribbon Blues

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Spirit of Hope Day

At lunch, we were treated to a native drummer and dance performance. Then each of the delegates were given a stone, blessed by a native elder and offered to us as a gift.

The Aboriginal theme added a wonderful component for all the delegates, regardless of the country of origin.

I applaud the organizers vision and creativity.

Spirit of Hope Day

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Breast Cancer and Identity

The World Conference on Breast Cancer is one of the most culturally diverse gatherings I've attended in the last three years. Breast cancer doesn't care about skin tone, age or beliefs. It's about women.

ROLE OF IDENTITY EXAMINED AT 4TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON BREAST CANCER

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: Nova Scotia Headlines

This appears to be the first story that mentions the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Atlantic Canada's largest newspaper, and one of the oldest dailies in Canada, The chronicle Herald.

Doctors push to get breast cancer drug in N.S.

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: About The World Conference on Breast Cancer

The beautiful city of Halifax is the perfect setting for an international conference.

4th World Conference on Breast Cancer brings the international community to Halifax, N.S.

Given I've eaten Indian Curry, gourmet Italian, Greek and east coast fare in the short time I've been here, Halifax seems to have a thriving international community that is ready to great the conference delegates.

Sue Richards.

The Breast Views Blog: World Conference on Breast Cancer

Over the next few days, I will be bringing you stories from Halifax, Nova Scotia, host of the fourth World Conference on Breast Cancer. I will be set up in the International Market Place, showing and selling the 2006 Breast of Canada Calendar.

BREAST CANCER ON THE RISE – ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS LINKED

For me, the headlines says it all.

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar

The Breast Views Blog: What it is

Breast news, be it about cancer, surgery, breast feeding, health or the good ole over the shoulder boulder holder can often seem one sided, vague or confusing. This BLOG will be dedicated to reporting many sources of breast related news and offering comments, dissection and prying questions to help find the news that lay between the lines, behind the scene or as clear as the nipple on your breast.

Sue Richards
Breast of Canada Calendar