I have blogged for The Susan G. Komen Foundation during Blogthon 2006 and Children’s Literacy Initiative during Day of Blogs 2008.  This year I am going to be blogging for The Actors Fund.

The Actors Fund is actually a bit of a misnomer since it benefits actors as well as all other performing arts and entertainment professionals (which, as you may have guessed, includes me, LOL).  Here’s some general information from their website:

The Actors Fund, a nonprofit human services organization founded in 1882, serves all professionals – and not just actors! – in film, theater, television, music, opera, and dance through programs that address their unique and essential needs. As a national organization with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, The Fund directly serves over 8,000 entertainment and performing arts professionals across the country, and approximately 300,000 more through Web resource programs. In providing care and service to professionals throughout the industry, The Fund’s programs are wide in scope, responsive in nature, and produce significant results, affecting the lives of people in our community year after year.

Employment in any division of the entertainment and performing arts industry is unpredictable. The life of an entertainment professional is very similar to any worker or independent contractor that moves from job to job to make their living. Work is erratic, security is fleeting and health insurance is often just a dream. For all of these reasons and many more, The Actors Fund is an indispensable and deeply significant part of the entire entertainment community.

I always think it’s important to know the mission statement of an organization before I decide to give money to that organization, so here is their mission statement:

The Actors Fund Mission Statement

The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.

If you would like to view their profile on Charity Navigator, then click here.

As always, I will be sharing fun facts and trivia throughout the evening as well as some nice ramblings!  Please consider sponsoring me for Blogathon 2009. Even one dollar an hour would help! You can either sponsor by the hour or a flat sum for the day.  If you have questions about sponsoring, please visit the Blogathon FAQ.  Essentially, you click on my sponsor link to pledge your donation – then after the Blogathon you will receive an email directing you to the correct place to make your donation.  Yes, it’s that easy!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask – otherwise, I’ll see you at Blogathon 2009!

This post is for the Blogathon 2009! I am blogging for The Actor’s Fund. For more information about what I am doing, please click here, or you can sponsor me!

• 7/22/2008 -- Are you ready to stay awake?
• 7/26/2008 -- Recycled Reading Meme (Day of Blogs ’08 #17)
• 12/18/2005 -- 101 in 1001 – 67.33% Complete

Over here at Suspension of Disbelief I have been blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. As many of you know, my mother is a breast cancer survivor. I also have MANY friends who either have had breast cancer or their mothers have had it. I have several friends who also have aunts and grandmothers who have had breast cancer. One of my friends from high school had to deal with his mother, three aunts, and grandmother all having breast cancer. My posts raised a total of $54! Here’s a little shoutout to my sponsors:

Bug @ An Indian Summer
Jason @ The Grubby Halo

It may have been a small crowd over here next year, but know what that says to me – I’ve just got a challenge for next year!

Thanks so much for a great 24 hours kids. It was DEFINITELY worth it!!!

• 7/7/2006 -- Entering the fray . . .
• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/29/2006 -- Venzero (Blogathon #24)

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- Blogathon 2006 Wrap-Up!
• 7/30/2006 -- Home stretch! (Blogathon #50)
• 7/30/2006 -- Can you taste it? (Blogathon #49)

What Signs Suggest a Lump is Likely to Be Cancerous?

It is not possible for a woman or a physician to know for certain whether a breast lump indicates breast cancer until imaging exams (such as mammography and ultrasound) and/or biopsy are performed. A breast biopsy involves taking a sample of breast tissue and examining it under a microscope to determine whether it contains cancer cells. However, there are certain characteristics associated with lumps that can suggest whether they are more likely to be cancer or benign (non-cancerous).

Signs that suggest a lump is more likely to be cancerous:

* The lump is firm and hard
* The lump is not discrete; it is not easily distinguishable
* The lump is fixed in the breast; it does not move
* There is only one lump
* There is not an identical lump in the opposite breast
* The skin of breast is dimpled
* The lump is accompanied by bloody nipple discharge

Signs that suggest a lump is less likely to be cancerous:

* The lump is soft
* The lump is discrete; it is easily distinguishable
* The lump moves in the breast
* There are multiple breast lumps
* There is an identical lump in the opposite breast
* The lump disappears after the menstrual cycle

While the above signs can help suggest whether a lump is more likely or less likely to be cancerous, having one or more of these characteristics does not guarantee or eliminate the possibility of having breast cancer. These characteristics merely provide clues for the physician when evaluating a lump. Some breast cancers can have characteristics found in the “less likely to be cancerous” category. Therefore, all persistent breast lumps need to be presented to a physician.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/29/2006 -- Stupid Internet (Blogathon #17)
• 7/29/2006 -- Interior Paint Calculator (Blogathon #16)

How Are Benign Breast Conditions Detected?

Benign breast lumps are often first detected by physicians during clinical breast examination, routine mammogram or by patients practicing breast self-examination (BSE). Focal pain (pain confined to one spot in the breast) or nipple discharge (other than milk) may also alert a woman to have her condition checked by a doctor. Benign breast lumps are usually confirmed by imaging tests (mammogram, ultrasound/sonogram), observing the lump over a period of time, or doing fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), core needle biopsy (CNB) or surgical biopsy.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- That was fast! (Blogathon #40)
• 7/29/2006 -- Are You Bipolar? (Blogathon #15)
• 7/30/2006 -- Home stretch! (Blogathon #50)

What Should a Woman Do If She Finds a Breast Lump?

First, it is important for all women to practice monthly breast-self exams beginning at age 20. These self-exams allow women to become familiar with how their breasts look and feel so they can more readily detect any changes that may occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the right and left breast). The key to the breast self-exam is to learn to find changes in the breast(s) that persist over time. If a new lump is found and does not disappear after the menstrual cycle, then it should be reported to a physician for clinical evaluation.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- Fellow Boobie Bloggers (Blogathon #47)
• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/30/2006 -- My counts . . . hrm . . .(Blogathon #45)

Cysts

Breast cysts are accumulations of fluid in the breast. Cysts are non-cancerous and typically present themselves in the form of smooth, rounded lumps. They are often moveable within the breast, although they can also appear deep within the breast tissue. While the cause of cysts is unknown, experts do know that cysts respond to the body’s hormone levels. For instance, cysts may appear a week or two before a woman’s menstrual period and disappear afterwards. Cysts are most common in pre-menopausal women, especially when they are approaching menopause. However, cysts can occur in women after menopause as well, especially if they are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Existing cysts may also persist or enlarge in women on HRT. Some research has suggested that caffeine can cause breast cysts, although this is controversial among members of the medical community. Nevertheless, some women find that reducing caffeine consumption decreases breast discomfort.

Most women only develop one or two cysts at a time, but in some cases, multiple cysts may appear throughout the breast. Cysts are usually confirmed with mammography and ultrasound (sonogram). In particular, ultrasound is excellent at quickly identifying whether a breast abnormality is in fact a cyst or a solid mass. After the abnormality is found to be a cyst with ultrasound, it is usually left alone unless:

* The diagnosis is uncertain. Most “simple cysts” are well-defined, have distinct borders, and ultrasound signals are able to easily pass through them. However, some cysts contain low levels of internal echoes which makes it difficult for physicians to definitively diagnose them as cysts without draining their fluid. These types of cysts are called “complex cysts.” While complex cysts can appear similar to solid masses on ultrasound, they are non-cancerous.
* The cyst is causing discomfort. In some instances, cysts can be painful. Draining the cysts with a thin needle (fine needle aspiration) collapses them and reduces discomfort. Some radiologists inject air into the area after drainage to help minimize the chances that the cyst will return.

When cysts are drained, the fluid is usually discarded unless it is bloody or looks suspicious. In these cases, it is sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis under a microscope. Normal cystic fluid can be a number of colors including yellow, brown, green, black, amber, or milky.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- That was fast! (Blogathon #40)
• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/30/2006 -- My counts . . . hrm . . .(Blogathon #45)

20 Years Ago: (age 2)

My mom read to me allll the time! I’ve been a big fan of books and reading since day one. There’s also a really cute picture of me when I was about 2 1/2. I’m sitting in a big rocking chair, and my little brother is in my lap (he’s about a month old), and I’m “reading” a book to him . . . and the book is upside down.

10 Years Ago: (age 12)

When I was this age, my punishment was getting the TV taken away, it wasn’t being grounded . . . It was taking my books away. I HATED it. Also when I was 12, I started to write a book, which I finished when I was 13. It’s a for real book – think Baby-Sitter’s Club genre. I’ve gone back and read it, and while it needs a LOT of work, I have actually really considered doing something with it . . .

5 Years Ago: (age 17)

At 17 I was a senior in high school, and I was getting so burned out on all the school reading that I kind of quit reading for pleasure. I hated it, because I looooved to read. I just couldn’t do it.

3 Years ago: (age 19)

At 19 I was kind of in the same place as I was at 17. I had tried to get back into reading after graduation, but when I went to college I majored in English and theatre . . . so was reading CONSTANTLY for class. I just couldn’t get myself to read for pleasure.

Last Year: (age 21)

I decided to heck with it about school reading, and every time I had a break from school (fall break, spring break, Christmas, Easter, you name it) I would read about a book a day. I still do that.

This Month: (age 22)

Now I have started grad school, so I’m working at finding a balance between reading for pleasure and reading for class. It’s been difficult. Becoming active in Bookcrossing has helped.

3 Favorite Reading Locations:
- my bed
- outside by the pool at home in FL
- the coffee shop at school

3 Reading habits:
- when I start a book, I will usually finish it in the next 24 hours
- if I’m in public, I HAVE to be listening to music while I read
- I have 2 bookshelves full of books that I haven’t read

3 Things that distract me:
- other people
- movies
- schoolwork

3 Favorite Book Beverages:
- Diet Coke
- cup of coffee
- espresso-y drink from Starbucks

3 Favorite bookmarks:
- my mother makes bookmarks, so my favorites are all beaded bookmarks made by her!

So . . . what about YOU?

Breast pain (mastalgia) is the most common breast related complaint among women; nearly 70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their lives. Breast pain may occur in one or both breasts or in the underarm (axilla) region of the body. The severity of breast pain varies from woman to woman; approximately 15% of women require treatment. Though breast pain is not normally associated with breast cancer, women who experience any breast abnormalities, including breast pain, should consult their physicians.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/26/2008 -- Recycled Reading Meme (Day of Blogs ’08 #17)
• 7/19/2006 -- About
• 12/18/2005 -- 101 in 1001 – 67.33% Complete

The breast is composed of two main types of tissues: glandular tissues and stromal (supporting) tissues. The glandular tissues house the milk-producing lobules and the ducts (the milk passages). The stromal tissues include fatty and fibrous connective tissue. Any changes in the glandular or stromal areas may cause symptoms of benign breast conditions.

Some women experience changes to their breast tissue over their lifetime. These changes can include an increase in the number of breast cells (hyperplasia) or the emergence of atypical breast cells (atypical hyperplasia). In some instances, a portion of breast tissue that exhibits abnormal characteristics can eventually develop into a cancerous tumor. That is why physicians carefully monitor patients with abnormal breast cells, to ensure that if cancer develops at a later date, it is detected and treated early. Some patients with atypical hyperplasia may also be recommended to take the drug tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer. While the appearance of atypical hyperplasia increases the risk of breast cancer, not all women with abnormal breast cells go on to develop breast cancer.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- Fellow Boobie Bloggers (Blogathon #47)
• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/30/2006 -- Movie-aholic? (Blogathon #41)

Mine is blue!

Breast cancer survival also continues to decline after five years. Survival after ten years depends on the stage; early stage breast cancers are associated with high survival rates than late stages cancers.

Overall Survival Rate
After 5 years 85%
After 10 years 71%
After 15 years 57%
After 20 years 52%

Source: American Cancer Society

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

• 7/30/2006 -- Reading Memories (Blogathon #46)
• 7/30/2006 -- Movie-aholic? (Blogathon #41)
• 7/29/2006 -- Bug’s meme (Blogathon #14)