A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE BY MEDIAPLANET An angel’s touch A warrior spirit A helping hand for How one woman moms in treatment kicked cancer’s butt November 2011 BREAST CANCER 3TIPS LEARNING TO LIVE AGAIN Breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John reveals her road to recovery PHOTO: DAVID GREENHOUSE 2·NOVEMBER2011 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE BY MEDIAPLANET CHALLENGES TIP IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY WE RECOMMEND TO LEARN An angelic ABOUT helping hand BREAST How the Nanny 1 Angel Network HEALTH givesmomssome much needed PAGE 6 support. “Dealing with the everyday stress of their diagnosis is taxing enough which is where The Nanny Angel Network steps in...” The female perspective p. 5 The unique financial worries women face. Acancerwarrior p. 7 How kick boxing gave one woman the strength to fight her diagnosis head-on. Living with cancer is a process of discovery—life after diagnosis will never be the same.This is why strong support is so necessary—to thrive, rather than just survive. Thesurvivorshift:Finding your “new normal” hanks to advances this mayno longer be possible; there breast cancer diagnosis has on one’s in the treatment is no “going back”. It is a process of life and the challenges that will be BREAST CANCER of breast cancer, discovery; there is a new paradigm faced as well as someone who has 1STEDITION,NOVEMBER2011 for the 23,600 Can- associated with life after diagnosis. travelled the same path—a peer. Responsible for this issue: adians diagnosed Finding that new normal does not Willow’s peer support team can Publisher: Nienke Woodburn with the disease have a set timeline. Adjustments make a positive difference for you. [email protected] Designer: Penelope Graham this year, the five- to the way we deal with day to day They are here to listen and share [email protected] year survival rate is 88 percent.This issues and in fact, our entire lives the experience with you, through- Contributors: MJDeCoteau,Tonya T Facey, Catherine McCormack, Pauleanna is good news.However,just because may be necessary. out the continuum of your life with Reid, Virginia Yule treatment for breast cancer is fin- Your hair may have grown back breast cancer. Managing Director: Gustav Aspegren ished, the journey is not necessar- and you may have more energy than We all hope to survive for years to [email protected] ily over. you did when in active treatment come.Most of us will. Production Coordinator: Jemima Codrington You have lived through the shock but there may also be physical and Virginia Yule Some will not.We do our best not [email protected] Cancer survivor, of a diagnosis, subsequent surgery psychological side effects that en- to impose upon family, friends and Business Developer: Chris Vassallo Executive Director, [email protected] and completed rounds of radiation dure.Long-term effects of treatment Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada caregivers once cancer treatment is and/or chemotherapy.After months mayinclude: earlymenopause (with MY BEST TIPS over. But please remember, it takes Distributed within: Toronto Star, November 2011 of being in a clinical setting and all the associated symptoms includ- time to learn how to live in our new This section was created by Mediaplanet forming relationships with your ing mood swings, hot flashes, etc.), normal. and did not involve the Toronto Star or its “Finding that new Editorial Departments. healthcare team and other patients, weight gain, lymphedema, aches normal does not We want to learn how to thrive, the hospital doors close and you are and pains.You may experience: fear not just survive.For support and in- expected to move on. Family and of the cancer returning,body image have a set timeline. formation to help you throughout friends who were dedicated to sup- issues,relationship concerns.Many Adjustmentstothe your breast cancer journey, porting you want things to get back of these long term side effects are contact Willow Breast Cancer FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND waywedealwith TWITTER! to normal and they expect you to re- often borne in silence. Support Canada. www.facebook.com/MediaplanetCA turn to your old,pre-cancer self. day to day issues.... 1.888.778.3100 or www.willow.org. www.twitter.com/MediaplanetCA Seek understanding and our entire lives Finding your new “normal” and support Mediaplanet’s business is to create new maybenecessary.” VIRGINIA YULE customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high-quality content For many breast cancer survivors No one understands the impact a [email protected] thatmotivatesthemtoact. Young women bust DONT’ MISS! breast exam myths Your best breast Iwasjust22whenIlostmy true! health practices momtobreastcancer.My grandmother had also had Targeting a Your breasts change it.Inotherwords,Ibecame younger demographic naturally throughout “aware”ofbreastcancerata Rethink Breast Cancer burst on the your life: very young age. scene 10 years ago with a desire to ■ Growth at puberty. change the face of breast cancer and ■ Swelling, lumpiness or tender- But that didn’t mean make the issues relevant to young ness before menstrual periods. I knew what steps I women. Most women in their 20s and ■ Become larger and firmer dur- should be taking my- 30s are busy building a life, a home, FEEL YOUR WAY ing pregnancy and breastfeeding. You’rethebestjudgeof ■ self to be on top of my a career and aren’t thinking about what feels normal—report Become less firm and dense at breast health. breast cancer. Rethink aims to grab anything out of the menopause. I went looking for young women’s attention and mo- ordinary to your doctor. breast health infor- tivate them to consider their breast Breast changes to look mation in my 20s. health.Our approach is upbeat (some- complicated. thing is to be familiar with how your for include: The brochures I timescheeky)andtriestotakethefear Taking charge of your breast health breasts look and feel normally,so you ■ A breast lump. found had a out of using early detection methods. doesn’thavetobedifficult.Earlydetec- notice changes. ■ Dimpling of the breast. 65-year-old (SeeournewYourManReminderApp: tion starts with being “Breast Aware”, We love a good,chill attitude in life, ■ Changes in breast size. on the cov- Page 8) which simply means knowing your especially in our fast-paced, technol- ■ Changes in the nipple. er and were breasts.Makeitaregularhabit—touch ogy driven world.But,there’s never a ■ Liquid leaking from the nipple. prettydrab—not Teaching proper them,look at them,feel around.If you good reason to take await-and-see ap- ■ Changes in skin (e.g. looks like very inspiring exam technique findanythingunusual,reportittoyour proach when it comes to your health. an orange peel). for a young per- Rethink’s earliest goal was to clear doctor. Whenbreastcancerisfoundearly,you ■ Redness or discolouration that son. My take- the confusion around breast self- have more treatment options and a does not go away. away message: exam.For years,health care providers Youknowyourbodybest better chance of beating it.So,if you ■ Any other unusual changes in breast cancer is pushed an official “breast self-exam” Every woman will have her own way find a change inyour breast,report it your breasts. an older woman’s technique, creating multi-panel of touching and looking for changes; as soon as possible to your doctor. disease and I had pamphlets with medical diagrams there’s no special technique and you BeBreastAware,aWillowPublication lots of time be- outlining all the steps to perform don’t need any training. You might MJ DECOTEAU Available in 10 languages fore I needed to such an exam. Young women were check when you’re dressing or in the Founder and Executive Director, ■ Courtesy of www.willow.org/BBA start thinking intimidated and didn’t bother check- bath or shower.Whether you are lying Rethink Breast Cancer about it. Not ing their breasts because it was too down or standing up, the important [email protected] A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE BY MEDIAPLANET NOVEMBER 2011 · 3 Youneedanswersfast. Wecangivethemtoyou–in24hours. Sunnybrook has opened a new breast cancer Rapid Diagnosis Unit. Now, within 24 hours, our team will provide youwithadiagnosisandplanforfollow-upcare. Toofferthisservicetoasmanywomen team will offer a full range of breast whoneedit,wearebuildingournew healthservices.Frompreventionand BREAST CANCER CENTRE. It will be screening to cutting-edge innovations Canada’s largest facility dedicated to in treatment and on-going care, all the breast cancer research and treatment. women you love will get the best care Here, our world-renowned breast cancer anywhere in the world. Help us build our Breast Cancer Centre visit sunnybrook.ca/breast today. Paid for by the friends of Sunnybrook Foundation 4·NOVEMBER2011 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE BY MEDIAPLANET INSPIRATION TIP SEEK A SECOND 2 OPINION PHOTO: CHAD ALLEN SMITH When singer and actress Olivia Newton-John discovered a lump in her breast in 1992, her initial diagnosis was cancer-clear. Knowing inherently that something was wrong,she challenged this—and eventually located breast cancer.Now,she helps women be proactive about their breast health. Trustyourinstincts,winthebattle Conquering fear whole person: body, mind and spirit. ges in the breast.To date more than 1.3 cipes for a Healthy, Happy Life” LEADER TO LEADER The biggest struggle that she faced “I am thrilled,”she announces.“I real- million LivAids have been distributed April 2012 Ittakesenormousstrength subsequent to receiving her diagno- ly want to help people who are going to women around the world and she ■ Movie “A Few Best Men” re- andcouragetofindlightina sis was the fear of dying. With the through cancer and now my dream is continues to promote the importance leased early 2012 world of darkness, but multi- support of loved ones, however, she coming true.” of breast health and how women can ■ Amazon Rain Skin Care line, award winning singer and changed her way of thinking and take control of their bodies.“I am fine available now actress Olivia Newton-John broughtoutthepositivefromanega- today and stronger than before and exemplifiesthatitispos- tive situation.