A Weight Lifted

Healthy Living: Celebrate National Women's Health

One of the more common negative effects that being over fat face women is self consciousness, lack of self esteem and a negative body image. Shame about their bodies often keep them out of the doctor’s office.

News from womenshealth.gov and OWH National Women's Health Week and Check Up Day. You can now join the many organizations participating in the 2008 National Women's Health Week Celebration. Anyone can participate - from individuals, corporations, fitness centers, cities, and even entire states!

*National Women's Health Week empowers women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.

Community health centers, hospitals, and other health care providers across America will participate in this event by offering preventive health screenings to women. You can register your event online and find other events taking place in your area.

*Visit WomensHealth.org to register today!

Tags: National Women's Health , OWH , healthy lifestyles , wellness .

Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters

I’ve spoken several times on the perils of going to the gym. It is a place rife with stories of women who are in the never-ending search for the perfect body, or perhaps even more illusive – someone else’s body.

Not too long ago I was going nowhere on the stationary bike in my gym and noticed two young women cycling their brains out in front of me - they couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15. Both dressed rather provocatively, in the shortest of shorts accompanied with t-shirts tied tightly in a knot under their sports bras with lots of beaded bracelets (Lindsay style) and spray on tans. They didn’t strike me as young athletes in training, but rather two friends in the gym trying to improve their bodies – bodies that were by anyone’s standards already beautiful. Well, this is America afterall (and a fat America at that), so who says two teenage women shouldn’t be spending their spare time in the gym?

Ok, me. When I was 14 never, never, would my friends and I have considered the gym a fun way to spend a sunny afternoon - so what do we suppose brought these two young women to the gym? A lack of athletic opportunities, no physical education in the schools, or something more sinister?

A wonderful new book has just been published this March, entitled, Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body published by Simon & Schuster's Free Press. Courtney E. Martin a talented young writer, has written a book about disordered eating and body image from a new and fresh perspective. From Courtney's website:

"Filled with information from expert psychologists and hundreds of interviews with women with eating disorders, Courtney E. Martin's Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters is a wake-up call to women of all ages and races to recognize the epidemic of eating disorders and what it's doing to them, their daughters, friends, and relatives. Courtney Martin argues passionately that women must commit themselves to developing new attitudes about their bodies, and redirect the negative energy they spend on denying themselves contentment in order to become re-engaged with the possibilities of a better life." - Simon & Schuster

This may be the perfect gift to give that special young woman in your life who just doesn't think you get it.

For more on the subject, read an article by Marsha, "Healthy Eating, Feeding Our Daughters Well", here.

Tags: body image , empowerment , healthy eating , perfectionism .

Healthy Aging – A Half Century of Beauty

I thought it was time to give a few shout outs to advertisers and cosmetic companies for embracing older women in their recent advertising campaigns. I’m sure this has more to do with the growing demographic shift in the marketplace than anything, as early baby boomers begin to hit 60 and Gen X-ers creep up on 40. But one thing’s for sure, women in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s will not go quietly into the night – and that’s a good thing.

Just last week three 50+ actresses became Academy Award nominees for best actress. They are Meryl Streep, 57; Helen Mirren, 66; and Judi Dench, 71. None of which seem to have gone under the surgeon’s knife and all of which seem to have embraced their body types and not succumbed to Hollywood pressure, but let their talent do the talking.

Recently, several fashion houses and cosmetic companies have jumped into the mid-century market. L’Oreal for Diane Keaton and Jane Fonda - 61 and 69, respectively. (Two originals, that’s for sure). The eternally sexy Catherine Deneuve, 63, and Raquel Welch, 65, for M.A.C. Animal rights activist and Golden Globe winner, Kim Basinger, 53, for Prada; MENSA member Sharon Stone, 48, for Dior; Academy Award winner and political activist Susan Sarandon, who believe it or not just hit 60, representin’ for Revlon and finally, Christie Brinkley, 52, still a Cover Girl.

I appreciate not everyone is born with the bone structure of Catherine Deneuve or Sharon Stone, and maybe we don't have the body of Susan Sarandon at 60, or the financial resources of any of the lovely ladies mentioned above, but they are all women who represent what it ‘feels’ like to be over 50. They remind the world that it’s not all over just because you hit 40.

Yes, I suspect these new ‘business partnerships’ came about because there’s a huge audience for their products. We’re perceived as motivated and we have the money to spend. BUT, if it gets women of ‘a certain age’ noticed for the beautiful, vibrant, imaginative, passionate creatures that they are and can be, that’s a win in my book.

Source: For more on this topic, check out this recent article by Anita Creamer of The Sacramento Bee. Anita’s article was the resource for the list of women above.

Tags: beauty over 50 , baby boomers , healthy lifestyles , ageism .

Healthy Lifestyles – National Wear Red Day

February is upon us, and it’s for lovers!  I’ll admit I lost a little of my squee for Valentine's Day once we stopped passing out the little glittery cards that said, ‘Be My Valentine’ and ‘Will You Be Mine’, always accompanied with a boxes of candied hearts professing the same sentiment - now, that was romantic! 

But, regardless of where you stand on February 14th, there’s no ignoring we’re moving into one of the most romantic months of the year…traditionally known for chocolate, flowers and maybe even a hot date or two. And even if you're not expecting to receive a big box of chocolate covered cherries, there’s still something else you can get behind - National Wear Red Day!

Celebrate with women from all over the country and sport your favorite red ensemble on February 2, 2007. Maybe not as sexy as a dozen red roses, but what could be more important than having a healthy heart?  All the better to love someone with…

The American Medical Women's Association states that heart health can be greatly improved with awareness of heart disease risk and our willingness to reduce those risks. Like most things regarding healthy lifestyle change, the earlier you start, the greater the benefit.  So, why not start today? Lifestyle improvements each of us can follow include finding pleasurable physical activity that you enjoy and will continue to do regularly – because you love it.  Efforts made toward reaching and then maintaining your own healthy weight, which features normal eating (while paying attention to low cholesterol, low saturated fat diet, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables) and managing life stresses and positive thinking.  Nothing, new there!

In honor of our hearts, this coming month we’ll try to focus some of our posts around tips, news, resources and best practices, in relationship to your heart health…and maybe even a little bit on romance, just for fun!

The Red Dress Pin is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. To purchase your pin, find a special offer HERE.

Tags: National Wear Red Day , hearth health , healthy lifestyles , fitness .

When Words Hurt

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me...

Of course, we know that’s not true. Embracing negative self talk can derail us from even our simplest efforts when it comes to making healthy lifestyle changes. So, we can imagine (and perhaps even remember), what it’s like to experience the worst type of negative talk, insults and even bullying every single day.

In an effort to eliminate name calling from schools and communities, No Name Calling Week is celebrating its 4th year - running today through the 26th of January.

No Name Calling Week was originally created to focus national attention on the problem of name calling in schools and to provide students and teachers with the tools and inspiration to launch an on going dialogue about ways to eliminate name calling in their communities.

The program has the backing of groups from the Girl Scouts to Amnesty International. If you’re interested in creating a no name calling week in your school, you will find all the information and your complete kit, here.

Image website

Tags: bullying , no name calling week , self esteem , negative self talk .

Ugly Betty is Beautiful

She may not be the prettiest gal on the block but Betty Suarez has plenty of style. The kind that you don’t get from shopping at Bloomingdales, but the kind one gets from having compassion, strength of character, smarts and a heart of gold.

Ugly Betty is a new prime time comedy series produced by none other than, anything but ugly, Selma Hayek. A huge hit in Columbia and several other countries prior to making it to the US of A, Ugly Betty seems to be striking a common chord among young women all over the world.The story is about a very plain secretary who works in a glamorous fashion design house, surrounded by beautiful women, but despite her looks, Betty gets ahead, through hard work and intelligence.

Ugly Betty has been well received so far, sitting just outside the top ten of all new fall shows. I say, support Betty and ABC will make sure she’s a keeper.

Tags: self confidence , career women , successful women .

Ann Nelson's Life List

Ann Nelson was killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Among many of her belongings her mother Jennette was given her daughter's laptop. She never opened it, until recently. What she found filed on Ann's computer was a complete surprise. A file titled, "Top 100." It was a list of Ann's top life goals. Below are the 36 entries she made before dying. Can you imagine what other items would have made this incredible woman’s list if she had lived? She is inspiring to say the least.

Ann's List

1. be healthy/healthful
2. be a good friend
3. keep secrets
4. keep in touch with people I love and that love me
5. make a quilt
6. Nepal
7. buy a home in north Dakota
8. get a graduate degree
9. learn a foreign language
10. kilamajaroo
11. never be ashamed of who I am
12. be a person to be proud of
13. always keep improving
14. read every day
15. be informed
16. knit a sweater
17. scuba dive in the barrier reef
18. volunteer for a charity
19. learn to cook
20. learn about art
21. get my cfa
22. grand canyon
23. helicopter ski with my father
23. spend more time with my family
24. remember birthdays
25. appreciate money but don’t worship it
26. learn how to use a computer !!
27. visit the new york public library
28. maine
29. learn to write
30. walk = exercise but also see the world first
31. learn about other cultures
32. be a good listener
33. take time for friends
34. kayak
35. drink water
36. learn about wine
37.

You can read more about Ann here.

Tags: Ann Nelson , life goals , healthy lifestyles , 9/11/2001 .

Madrid Fashion Week Bans Skinniest Models

Unfortunately, the perfect body (as though there were such a thing), may still be most commonly identified to women via the fashion world. And in this world, skinny, or even ‘super-skinny,’ is still the accepted norm, especially for young women in the most impressionable phases of their development.

Through the years there have been times when fashion trends have seemed to embrace models of such emaciated stature that instead of wanting to buy a designer’s clothes, we might actually have felt more compelled to donate to CARE.

Organizers at the Madrid Fashion Week are going against the fashion world grain this year by saying no to super skinny models. Although fashion week in Spain does not yield the press and prestige as their bigger and more prestigious brethren (New York, London, Paris), they are still standing up to speak against the industry. Many in Spain feel that super-skinny models with a BMI of less that 18 is unhealthy and sends the wrong message to women. Consequently, this year, designers have been ordered to disallow any model on the catwalk that has a BMI of less than 18.

Raymond Hainly writes in the Sunday Mail UK,

A recent trend for waif-like models has upset many within Spain’s fashion industry, with some demanding the banning of material that could lead to bulimia or anorexia. A spokesman for the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain said, "We want models to project an image of beauty and health and shun a gaunt, emaciated look."

The Madrid ruling means 5ft 9in models must weigh at least 123 pounds. That’s still pretty skinny in my book, but I think we all realize that models will always resemble hangers more than they’ll resemble you or me, but it’s a start and I’m impressed.

Just so you know, if this new ruling were applied to all models it would disqualify Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen and Elle MacPherson and I’m sure several other Victoria Secret icons. Who knows if this will catch on, but at least one country is standing up for its women in a positive and forward thinking way and I can’t imagine that Kate, Gisele and Elle wouldn’t welcome the occasional ice cream sundae.

Tags: body image , Madrid Fashion Week , healthy lifestyles , perfectionism .

picture courtesy of gurl.com

Waging War On Our Bodies - Acceptance and Diversity

In the May issue of "Today's Dietician" Green Mountain friend, Kindy Peaslee, RD has authored a terrific article entitled, “Dieting – At War with out Bodies, Celebrating Body Acceptance and Diversity”. Kindy speaks eloquently about how so many otherwise, enlightened women continue to live in a restrictive mindset while they still embrace dieting. Clinging to their individual dieting panacea’s like the newest and trendiest handbag.

To this end there is a movement underway. Not such a new concept for those within our industry, but to the general public, a movement some might describe as radical. Green Mountain at Fox Run has been a pioneer in the non-diet approach to healthy weights since 1973.  And today, there are many who believe and support the idea that a non-diet approach to eating and weight management speaks most effectively to women who are tired of struggling with their weight.

To prove that the belief that diets don’t work is worldwide, in May we celebrated the 15th annual International Non Diet Day. Hats off to, Mary Evans Young, the director of the Canadian campaign, Diet Breakers and the author of "Diet Breaking: Having It All Without Having To Diet!", who started INDD in 1992.

From Kindy’s article, here are the goals of the INDD:
• Increasing public awareness of the dangers and futility of dieting, weight-loss surgery and obsession with thinness;
• Affirming that beauty, health, and fitness come in all sizes;
• Affirming everyone’s right to eat normally and enjoy physical activity and emotional well-being; and
• Helping change the way people of larger sizes are perceived and treated by society.

More recently, is an organization which supports the idea that healthy bodies come in all sizes and shapes. Health at Every Size (HAES) appreciates that battling eating and weight related issues are complex and promotes healthy eating and fitness as a means to reaching your own individual path to wellness.

It seems with a movement that is growing stronger every day that we would be able to reach women who are tired of struggling with their weight and help them regain the courage to love themselves where they are -today. And from that place, we may finally be able to make peace with our bodies, our minds and our spirit.

Resources:

Kindy R. Peaslee, RD, is the founder of Kindy Creek Promotions. She can be reached at kindy@kindycreek.com

International NO DIET Day (INDD) links: To view DVD trailer
Of Dieting: At War with our Bodies. Details of press release on INDD

Tags: non-diet , Health at Any Size , Kindy Peaslee , International No Diet Day .

National Women's History Project

National Women's History Project 25th Year Anniversary!
Among other things, March is National Women’s History Month.  And like the founders of the National Women's History Project, we believe that spreading the news about the achievements of women helps diminish the tendency to dismiss and trivialize who women are and focus instead on the incredible thngs they accomplish. Please witness the extraordinary achievements of the 2006 National Women’s History Month Honorees:

Juana Gutierrez (b. 1933)
Political Activist and Community Organizer
Juana Gutierrez began her political activism by knocking on her neighbors’ doors. It was the beginning of her work to take back her community from outside interests. To give the community a powerful and effective voice, she organized the Madres de Este Los Angeles (MELASI).

Aileen Hernandez (b. 1926)
Union Organizer and Human Rights Activist
Aileen Hernandez’s commitment to world-wide justice has been fueled by traveling and meeting with women throughout the world to gain a global perspective on humanitarian issues. Currently, she chairs the California Women's Agenda (CAWA), a network of 600 organizations dedicated to implementing the plan of action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995.

Winona LaDuke (b.1960)
Author and Environmentalist
Winona LaDuke has worked for nearly three decades on the land issues of the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota including litigation over land rights in the 1980's. She currently serves as the Director of Honor the Earth and Founding Director of White Earth Land Recovery Project.

Cindy Marano (1947-2005)
Economic Justice Activist and Public Policy Visionary
Cindy Marano worked for 35 years to build a vision of economic equity for women and low-income workers. A brilliant strategic thinker, Marano focused on public policy issues, built legislative and government support, and engaged a network of national, state, and local organizations to help women and low-income workers fulfill their dreams. Many of her policies were adopted into federal law.

Mary Aloysius Molloy (1880-1954)
Educator and Innovator
Mary Molloy, developed a rigorous four-year undergraduate curriculum for a women’s college, comparable to those used by colleges that educated men. In 1907, she set high standards for both scholarship and public service. The College of Saint Teresa rapidly grew into one of the premier Catholic colleges in the United States.

Nancy Skinner Nordhoff (b.1932)
Philanthropist and Environmentalist
Nancy Nordhoff , a hands-on philanthropist who has been a funder and advisor the driving force in the Women’s Funding Alliance of Seattle for over 25 years. Nordhoff generously puts her money, time, and energy into visionary projects. These include Hedgebrook, a retreat center for women to write their stories, and an organization and retreat that supports and encourages women to write their stories and Bayview Corner, a model of environmental integrity, economic development, and community revitalization.

Mary Taylor Previte (b. 1932)
Pioneer and Advocate for Juvenile Justice
Mary Taylor Previte passed on the survival skills she learned from her seven years as a Prisoner of War in a Japanese prison camp during World War II to the children of America’s urban wars. Her profound belief in humanity and her ability to communicate positively with youth made the Camden County Youth Center for ages 14 to 17 a national model.

Betty Reid Soskin (b. 1921)
Cultural Anthropologist and Writer
Betty Reid Soskin’s deep, ingrained sense of culture, place, and purpose are obvious in the way she lives her life. Helping to make our history authentic, she persuaded the Rosie the Riveter/ World War II Home Front National Historical Park to acknowledge the role of Black neighborhoods surrounding the Richmond, California site, which had been bulldozed after the war.

Mary Tsukamato (1915-1998)
Educator, Writer, and Cultural Historian
Mary Tsukamoto’s ultimate decision to become a teacher was heavily influenced by teachers in her early life who helped fund her college education. Tsukamoto’s family was interned in rural prison camps during World War II. This internment experience defined much of her life as a teacher and a leader. She worked tirelessly to secure the U.S. government apology and compensation for those who had been interned.

Marian Van Landingham (b. 1937)
Artist and Community Leader
Marion Van Landingham, with her belief that artistic expression is central to the health of a community, convinced the City of Alexandria, Virginia, to support her vision of an innovative partnership between the city and 185 artists. Her plan created the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which now serves as the anchor of Alexandria’s revitalized waterfront and a beacon of culture and community.

Source: The National Women's History Project
Email: nwhp@nwhp.org 

Tags: National Women's History Month , philanthropy , women's achievement , leadership

Healthy Aging and REACHING 50

I was watching Dr. Michael Roizen, author of “The Real Age Diet”, “You - The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger” and "The Real Age Makeover", this weekend on my local PBS channel talking about his popular aging theories. So, of course, like anyone I wanted to know how old am I, really?  Like most of us, I think I’m still 25, but on some days I feel every day of 49! 

So, for all of you out there (like me), about to reach another milestone, here are some views on aging from the granddaddy of observational comedy… 

                                  A View on Aging, By George Carlin

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids?

If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?"  "I'm four and a half!"

You're never thirty-six and a half.  You're four and a half, going on five!  That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back.  You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

"How old are you?" "I'm GONNA be 16!"  You could be 13, but hey, you're GONNA be 16!

And then the greatest day of your life . . . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony…you become 21.  Yes!!!

But then you TURN 30.  Ooooh, what happened there?  Makes you sound like bad milk! 
He TURNED; we had to throw him out. 

There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling.  What's wrong?  What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40.  Whoa!  Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50!
And your dreams are gone.

But wait!!!  You MAKE it to 60.  You didn't think you would.

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!  After that it's a day-by-day thing;
you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch;
you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.  And it doesn't end there.  Into
the 90's, you start going backwards;

"I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens.  If you make it over 100, you become a
little kid again.  "I'm 100 and a half!"

May we all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

For other books by Dr. Roizen see About RealAge

For other George Carlin fans check out his site at GeorgeCarlin.com

Tags: real aging , Dr. Michaeal Roizen , ageism, George Carlin .

Good Nutrition and Healthy Eating...Its Apple Blossom Time!

Seems like a lot of theme weeks and theme months are populating our blog lately, but whenever the focus is on getting healthy and feeling better, we’re all for it!  In many parts of the country March conjures up visions of scraping ice off your windshield when it’s still dark outside, snow days! and yummy hot chocolate. Yet, in other parts of the county the onset of March means the first sighting of daffodils and apple blossoms. But what you may not know is that all across our great nation; March is a celebration of something else…good nutrition! Yep, March is National Nutrition Month®! 

Sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, all through March the ADA continues to be one of the most credible sources on food and nutrition and is invested in getting that message out to all Americans.  With all the contradictory information around healthy eating, you can look to the ADA for sound and scientific information. 

Obviously, getting good nutrition should be an every day kind of deal, but that isn’t always possible. Trying to  eat perfectly every day is no way to live. But we can make an effort to provide our bodies with important nutrients, by trying to incorporate natural, whole foods that pump up the pleasure. Try following a Mediterranean theme such as:

• high consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
• olive oil as an important monounsaturated fat source
• dairy products, fish and poultry consumed in low to moderate amounts, eating little red meat
• eggs consumed up to four times a week
• wine consumed in low to moderate amounts

Bon Appetit!

Information about Mediterranean eating from The American Heart Association.

Tags: American Heart Association , American Dietetic Association , Mediterranean Diet, Healthy Eating .

It's Fat Free Friday!

Let's join Jessica Weiner, the author of "Do I Look Fat in This:? : Life Doesn't Begin Five Pounds From Now", in a celebration of Fat Free Friday. Jessica's mission is to silence the critical head. Jessica is a great proponent of living in the now, (as are we), and not waiting to do the things you want to do, live the life you want to live only when you reach some sort of acceptable image of yourself. For most of us, it's a never-ending waiting game.

Check out this and other Jessica Weiner books, for a good kick in the head and maybe even a little kick in the posterior.

Remember...your body does hear everything you think!

Tags: body image , non-diet , Jennifer Weiner , self esteem .

Do These Genes Look Good on Me?

I love that!

Did you know this week is Body Image Awareness Week? Well it is, and it’s making quite an impression on college campuses all across the nation. I’m so hopeful when I see how many young women are standing up for such an important cause - and dealing with it in such creative and thoughtful ways.

Here's just a taste of some of the courageous efforts taking place on a college campus near you.  Hoorah ladies!

At Kansas State!

At St. Thomas University, Minnesota!

At Bryn Mawr!

At Lehigh!

At Indiana University!

At Marquette! 

At SMU!

At University of Buffalo!

At Oregon State University!

Tri Delts at Clemson!

At University of Wisconsin!

So, this week and every week hereafter, let's honor these women by giving credence to their cause. Think about what you love about your body - and give that critical head a break. Remember, your body hears everything you think!

Picture: Norman Rockwell's - Girl in Mirror

Tags: body image , non-diet , self confidence , body image awareness .

Will McDonald's Finally Beat The McWrap?

McDonald's announced Tuesday they will be printing nutritional information on their wrappers in the beginning of 2006. Although, CEO Jim Skinner assures us that the company’s new found philosophy toward nutritional visibility is due to customer demand (not consumer group pressure, or the result of the embarrassing documentary ‘Supersize Me’), at least they’re taking steps to provide consumers information about their products.

Some points of interest: 

• The information provided is based on an adult sized man.  Meaning any information about offerings targeted at children (Happy Meal’s, etc.), should be weighed carefully when considering the size, age and diet requirements of the targeted consumer.

• The labels do not offer any distinction between saturated and trans fats, (those fats which increase the risk of heart disease).

That being said, the information on food labels shouldn't necessarily be the deciding factor whether we eat something or not.  Occasionally we're going to eat things that are high in calories, sat fat etc., as part of a balanced approach to eating. Intuitive eating or mindful eating - eating based on internal cues of hunger and sateity -will help us figure out when we've had enough of any type of food. 

Although it's nice to have awareness around caloric content and nutritional value before you eat something, there are enough things to worry about it in the world without getting too crazy about what labels are telling you.  As long as the information is used in your overall education about healthy eating and not something to fixate on, I think it can be a useful tool. If I'm learning to listen to and trust my body to tell me when I've had enough, that's the important lesson.

Hopefully, other food chains will step up to the plate and offer similar visibility.  I would like to know just how many calories and fat are in a Grande Carmel Vanilla Frappucino! Or maybe I wouldn't...

Photo Credit: AP Photo

Tags: nutritional labeling , healthy eating , balanced diet .

It's Pink October!

October is the perfect time to ensure you're in the pink as far as your breast health is concerned. If you haven’t already done so, begin this October to get regular screenings in a clinical setting by a trained health professional.

To date, mammography screening is the single most effective method of early breast cancer detection. If you need assistance finding an imaging location where you live, you can contact the National Cancer Institute. (1.800.4.CANCER).

In many areas of the country, low-cost or free mammograms are provided as part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program or through community organizations, such as the YWCA.  In October each year, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many radiology facilities offer mammography at a reduced rate.

Most insurance companies cover the cost of mammograms. However, for women over 40 who might be uninsured or underinsured,  you can find more affordable or even free screenings in your area by either contacting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (1-888-842-6355), or  find a certified radiology center in your area, by calling the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800 I'M AWARE® (1.800.462.9273).

It’s important we all get to know our breasts a little bit better.  Educate yourself about breast health and regularly give yourself a proper breast self-exam. For more information please check out the link for Susan G. Komen's Breast Cancer Foundation under "Sites We Like". There was never a better reason to get proactive about your health!

FYI: Friday, October 21 2005, is National Mammography Day!

Tags: breast health , mammography , breast exams .