I'm posting this entry on the behalf of Marisa Acocella Marchetto, author of 'Cancer Vixen,' who asked that we let you all know that she can be reached at marisamarchetto.com. Enjoy! ~Kelly

I had about 9 mammograms and sonograms on both breasts.
Why?

They wanted to make sure the thick scar tissue (I keloid) from the lumpectomy wasn't a lump, so my doctors were being extra cautious.

Talk about rattling your nerves.

But other than that, yesterday was an awesome day.
Here's why:

The Cancer Vixen Fund at St Vincents Comprehensive Cancer Center (the fund I started along with Grace Dos Santos) sponsored its Second Annual Free Mammograms on National Mammography Day for women who are uninsured.

We started at 8 am. Over 70 women got screened. Last year we paid for 38 mammograms and one woman, Sabrina Furer, tested positive for breast cancer. Sabrina has finished her treatments and has now become a life-long friend and is an official VIXEN. She told us that yesterday was the 5 year anniversary of her mother's death. Her mother died of breast cancer.

As the women continued to get their mamms, the Nurse Practitioners and Oncologists held a mini symposium for any one who wanted to stop by.
The experts told us that it's been confirmed that INFLAMMATION CAN CAUSE CANCER. Naturally I asked if, when you're angry, or raging, can your emotions manifest as inflammation in your body? I know it's an obvious question but I wanted to hear them say yes.

Once again a reason not to let anything get to my chest.

Once again a reminder to channel my emotions and not let them get the best of me. Easier said than done.
But I can try.

So, it is with this spirit that I comment on the comments (and the "razzing") down below...

Want to show your support for the fight against breast cancer and look fantastic at the same time? AOL Stylist has put together an awesome gallery of designer goodies that have been created to help raise money for this worthy cause. Now you have a reason to splurge!

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First lady Laura Bush has visited 68 countries during her husband's presidency, but in some ways, her trip to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, may be her most urgent and personal trip yet.

Bush's trip is aimed at raising awareness in the Middle East about breast cancer - a disease both her grandmother and mother had. Neither woman died of the disease - Bush's mother is still alive and in good health - but the first lady has worked on breast cancer issues for many years.

Read more about Laura Bush's thoughts on global breast cancer awareness.

What do you think about the First Lady's effort to raise breast cancer awareness in the Middle East? Do you think she can begin working to help remove the taboo of breast cancer in Middle Eastern countries?

Tell us your thoughts.

Meet breast cancer survivors from around the world.

A recent study shows that yoga can significantly improve the quality of life and well-being of women with breast cancer -- particularly those who are not taking chemotherapy. The study included 128 women, and the researchers randomly assigned half to a 12-week yoga program, while the other half were in a control group waiting list.

The classes were offered three times a week, and patients were encouraged to take at least one class a week. This wasn't a typical yoga class. The sequencing of postures was designed specifically to benefit those with breast cancer. During the study, the women doing yoga showed improvement in their quality of life, and in their spiritual, emotional and social well-being. The more classes they attended, the better they felt.

The benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, improved muscle tone and in many cases, a heightened sense of well-being.

Do you practice yoga? Do you agree with the study? What exercise makes you feel the best?

This is the kind of news we don't hear enough of nowadays! A report today announced that cancer deaths dropped an average of 2.1 percent each year from 2002-2004. Learn more details about this report.

Compared to other cancers, breast cancer death rates aren't dropping quite as fast, but any decrease is still amazing progress. Breast cancer death rates fell 2.2 percent for women between 1990 and 2004.

The decline is being attributed to a few factors that include early detection and more people making positive lifestyle changes. Keep up the hard work, everybody. We are truly making a difference in this cancer fight.

This news should make people who particpate in walks and races feel especially triumphant. It is clear that their hard work is paying off. These ladies pictured above walked in the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer in NYC earlier this month. Only seven of the 14 women in this group are pictured. Many thanks to groups like Breast Friends Forever for the hard work you're doing to change the world.

I had a few hours to kill on the way home to DC from the AVON events in New York City over the weekend. I walked to the little magazine store around the corner and saw the cover of TIME magazine. I was excited to read the article since I had just had the pleasure to meet survivors from all over the world throughout the weekend.

A few things I learned from the article include:

"Every three minutes an Egyptian woman is told she has breast cancer, and one of her first fears is that her husband will leave her."

"Asian and black women in the U.S. and Africa are at a higher risk of developing a more aggressive form of breast cancer known as estrogen-receptor negative."

"The U.S. has the highest incidence rate, greatest number of cases and second highest number of deaths."

It's encouraging to see so much press on breast cancer throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It really is up to the strong breast cancer community of survivors and supporters to keep the awareness all year long. If you get a chance to pick up this issue of TIME magazine, I would highly recommend it.

Finding a cure for breast cancer isn't just for walkers and the racers anymore. Meet a determined gamer named Kari Toyama from an active 'Halo' gaming community called Cavegirls. I was really intrigued by this story, and I wanted to help spread the word! Playing 'Halo' to help find a cure? What an amazing idea. Read on to see how Kari is bringing the world of competitive gaming and breast cancer together to raise money for a great cause.

1) This is the 2nd Annual Fight Like a Girl 'Halo' Tournament, which means the 1st Annual Fight Like a Girl 'Halo' Tournament must have been a success. Why did you start this event in the first place?

The first tournament was held on October 21st, 2006 in 'Halo' 2. I came up with the idea while I was working at Safeway. Safeway raises money for the Fred Hutchinson Research Center, and they asked all the employees to help out. They asked me, "Kari, would you like to participate in a bake sale?" I said, "Um, no." So they asked, "Is there anything you are involved in that could potentially raise money?" I thought, "Hey, I love to play 'Halo.' I wonder if I could hold a tournament and raise money that way." I asked my fellow Cavegirls if they would support me, and they welcomed the idea with open arms.

2) How much money did you raise and how many people participated in the event last year, and what are your expectations for this year?

We raised $777 last year with 64 participants total.

How much do you know about breast cancer risk? Educate yourself and take the quiz!

Just when you hear that drinking wine should be avoided if you want to lower your breast cancer risk ... this news comes out. Mothers with wide hips pass breast cancer risks to infants.

How do you define wide hips? If the "mother's intercristal diameter (the widest distance between the wing-like structures at the top of the hip bone) was more than 30 centimeters (11.8 inches)." Read more details here.

This news is really disturbing for me, not just because my mother and I have larger hips (I haven't measured, but I'm sure they qualify), but because there's simply nothing you can do to prevent this from happening to you. Yes, you can watch your diet, yes, you can do all of the things you're supposed to do -- but what can you do about your mother's bone structure?

No matter if you have wide hips or not -- early detection is key. Don't be afraid to go to your doctor and protect your health.

I had the opportunity to interview breast cancer survivor and 1968 Olympic gold medalist, figure skating champion Peggy Fleming. Peggy will be co-hosting 'Frosted Pink,' a landmark television event that will feature a dynamic mix of music, figure skating and Hollywood stars to empower women, raise awareness of women's cancers, and inspire action. It is a mission so powerful that four of America's leading cancer advocacy organizations – the National Breast Cancer Coalition, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance – have aligned with 'Frosted Pink' in a united effort to broadast the message to millions who are touched by these diseases.

Kelly: Hi, Peggy. AOL just launched a new breast cancer blog
called United for Pink. I'm so happy to get the chance to talk
to you.

Peggy: Thank you.

Kelly: This 'Frosted Pink' event sounds really exciting.

Peggy: They say the venue is really interesting. It's in an old
airplane hangar. That's a new one for me.

Kelly: So, you're hosting the event?

Peggy: Yes, with Sharon Osbourne.

Kelly: Have you worked with her before?

Peggy: No, but I'm a big fan of hers. I love her attitude and
she's so fun, real positive. I think we'll have a lot of fun
and get our message out to women, and the awareness of early
detection and all these cancers that affect women.

Kelly: You were diagnosed with breast cancer on the 30th
anniversary of your Olypmic victory.

Peggy: Right, nine years ago. I've been doing great since, and I
make sure that I make all of my other appointments, as well.

Kelly: What was your first thought when you found out the news?

Peggy: I think you are pretty shocked. It's huge news. It's like
someone just takes the rug out from underneath you. But after you
get over the initial shock, then you just hunker down and really
do what you have to do.

Gallery: Frosted Pink

'Frosted Pink,' presented by sanofi-aventis and Wachovia, will air nationally on ESPN on ABC at 4:00PM this Sunday, October 14. The show will re-air on The Style Network on Monday, October 22 at 8:00PM. Go to www.frostedpink.org for more information.

Saturday morning began the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer. We have a lot of pictures and stories from the entire weekend to catch up on, but I want to quickly share the story that kicked off the AVON walk.

If you're not familiar with the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, let me tell you a little bit about it. The AVON Walk for Breast Cancer is a project of the AVON Foundation, and it supports the AVON Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade's mission of advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Funds raised at the AVON New York walk will be managed and disbursed by the Foundation to support five critical areas of the breast cancer cause, including awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services and scientific research, with a focus on the medically underserved.

More that 3,900 people are involved with the walk this weekend -- the largest number in AVON walk history. Additionally, walkers raised 10.2 million dollars!

The woman who started the opening ceremonies, Cara Kealy, had an amazing story. She was breastfeeding her 6-month-old son Harrison, and noticed a lump in her breast. She was absolutely devasated to hear the news that is was cancer. With tears in her eyes, Cara looked out on the crowd and revealed, "I was only 30 years old."

She couldn't bear to imagine a world where her son would grow up without a mother. As she began receiving treatments for her breast cancer, her doctor told her that the treatments would make her infertile. Cara feels absolutely blessed that she and her husband were able to have another baby -- through adoption.

By the fall of 2005, she felt that the breast cancer was behind her. Then she started getting really bad headaches behind her right eye. The doctor told her that she had stage IV metastatic cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. Cancer cells have spread past the breast and axillary (underarm) lymph nodes to other areas of the body, where they continue to grow and multiply. Breast cancer has the potential to spread to almost any region of the body. Treatment of metastatic breast cancer generally focuses on relieving symptoms and extending a woman's lifetime.

"That's it. I'm going to die," Cara thought to herself. Would her boys remember her? Today, stage IV is no longer a death sentence like it used to be. Cara wants to remind everyone that she is living with cancer -- not dying from it.

Hearing these powerful words today ... so inspirational, so real, really gives a person the strength to keep on fighting. Have you ever met anyone with metastatic breast cancer? I found this to be a really powerful story, and a really wonderful way to start the AVON event.

Zenia Alicia Celis was chosen by AVON to present her survivor story during the AVON luncheon. Since I attended the luncheon, I listened to Zenia's beautiful words and took in the story. This strong survivor stood in front of everyone and retold her story -- no matter how painful it was to relive those tough times. I hope you enjoy this touching story as it was told at the AVON luncheon.

Zenia is a survivor from El Salvador. She spoke of her three children, ages 12, 11 and 6 years old with love in her eyes. Zenia said when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she didn't tell everyone. When she finally found the strength to tell her family, everyone was in shock. Her friends thought she was going to die.

Zenia spoke of her confusion. More than anything she could not believe that this could happen to her. She listed the reasons why she was so shocked. She had always taken care of her health by not drinking or smoking. No one in her family ever had breast cancer. Plus, she was only 33 year old.

One fact that was reported at the AVON luncheon was that 70% of women who are diagnosed have no known risk factors. Even if you're in excellent health and have no family history of breast cancer, you can still get the disease.

Her life was in absolute disarray. Her mother had just died, she was divorced and she was a single mother. She relied strongly on her brother and sister for support. There was one person outside of her family that really supported her though. This special person was her boss. (Of all people!) Her boss went with her to talk to the doctor. She was a bit embarrassed at first, but she was thankful. Zenia was treated at the Breast Cancer Institute in El Salvador. Zenia's relationship with her boss has changed and she now views her as a second mother.

Since Zenia has conquered her breast cancer, she sees a different person when she looks in the mirror. She urges others to believe in themselves and to understand that you can fight breast cancer and survive. You don't have to believe that you're going to die.

As Zenia's story drew to a close, she thanked AVON for giving her a second chance at life. Her wish for the future is that the light in her life will light the way for others who have breast cancer. She wants to share her love of life with everyone she meets, and hopes to promote the message of early prevention and detection.

Meet the survivors from the 2007 AVON Foundation's Global Breast Cancer Survivors Day. To get to know these ladies better, we asked them to write a phrase, a quote -- anything that inspired them in their fight against breast cancer.

Olga Smirnova from Latvia -- Be brave, optimistic and never lose your sense of humour. Even bad things sometimes turn into advantages in our life.

Yoko Kameda from Japan -- Accept and go through it! Everything is a gift.

Isabelle Traeger from Finland -- There is always hope and if hope is trying to leave you, there is always a place for miracles.

Maret Maasalu from Estonia -- Believe in yourself.

Olena Iurchenko from Ukraine -- Life is beautiful. The greatest joy and value in any woman's life.

Andrea Doreen Stuart from the United Kingdom -- Routine mammograms work!

Ingrid Valles Po from United Arab Emirates -- Breast cancer is curable! Enjoy UR Life

Erika Simonic from South Africa -- The only thing I have lost is my breast. I have gained: Friends, Love, Opportunities and Weight!!

Nor Azah Adnan from Malaysia -- Nothing is more important in life than life itself.

Egle Melinauskiene from Lithuania -- I love all women from all the world. With the best wishes.

Kim Whiting from Australia -- Ladies are like butterflies. So spread your wings and fly, fly, fly.

Gallery: AVON Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer Gallery

Today I had the privilege of attending AVON's third annual Walk Around the World for breast cancer. I must say that this event is truly a global event -- 49 participating countries are linked by the Global Connection Ribbon Tour. Forty-eight breast cancer survivors from around the world attended the event today. I am proud to say that I met 12 of those 48 very special ladies during today's AVON luncheon.

Over the next few days, fellow United for Pink blogger Michelle and I will have the chance to tell you many of those survivors' stories. Each story is different; each woman has a different way of looking at her individual breast cancer journey. We met survivors who sang inspirational songs and danced to keep a positive attitude during their chemotherapy. We talked to women who found their cancer by accident, and women we assumed would be way too young to even worry about the disease.

In the coming days, Michelle and I will meet more women, with more brave stories to tell. Our hope is that these stories inspire women everywhere to take care of their health and make a commitment to finally find a cure for breast cancer.

Our first featured survivor, Katariina Rautalahti, has a particularly intriguing story of physical and mental strength that I am anxious to share.

Katariina Rautalahti is a breast cancer survivor from Finland. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 at the age of 41. In 2004, Katariina joined a group of European survivors and climbed the highest mountain in Argentina. She had cancer, and even though she didn't reach the top, she continued climbing the mountain between her second and third chemo treatment sessions. She told us the reason she climbed the mountain was to show the world that cancer is like climbing a mountain. To think that Katariina continued climbing the mountain even as she grew weak from the chemotherapy shows so much about her personality and character. Her determination shines through, and her actions are a true reflection of her attitude that breast cancer is a battle that can be won.