OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. HELP US EDUCATE MORE WOMEN AND THEIR LOVED ONES ABOUT BREAST CANCER SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND SURVIVAL. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT WWW.IMAGINIS.COM.

Friday, October 15, 2004 has been designated National Mammography Day in the United States. On this day, approximately 680 American College of Radiology-accredited mammography facilities will offer discounted or free mammograms to help promote the importance of early breast cancer detection. Mammography, which involves taking special x-ray images of the breast, is currently the best exam to screen for breast cancer and detect the disease in early stages when the chances for successful treatment and survival are the greatest.

At age 37, Shirley Flierl was diagnosed with stage 3, aggressive breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes. In a delightful and poignant book called Prayer, Laughter, and Broccoli, Shirley's husband, Peter Flierl, shares his strength, faith, wisdom, courage and common sense for others couples battling breast cancer together. Peter has gracious submitted this article that offers 10 pieces of advice for husbands of breast cancer patients.

Myths and misconceptions about breast cancer abound, and the increased use of email and Internet have only added to the problem. This updated article dispels false rumors about what causes breast cancer, how the disease develops, and how different treatment options affect patients.

A benign breast condition is any non-cancerous breast abnormality. Approximately nine out of 10 women have at least one benign breast condition at some point during their lifetime. Some conditions, such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), increase the risk for breast cancer. Other conditions, such as cysts or fibroadenomas, do not. This article discusses several benign breast conditions and provides information on how they are diagnosed and treated. Topics include nipple discharge, LCIS, fibrocystic breasts, cysts, galactoceles, fibroadenomas, phyllodes tumors, papillomas, duct ectasia, fat necrosis, mastitis, and more.

Occasionally breast cancer can return after primary treatment. Often, a diagnosis of recurrent cancer is more devastating or psychologically difficult for a woman than her initial breast cancer diagnosis. However, if detected early, a breast cancer recurrence can usually be treated successfully. This article explains the different types of breast cancer recurrences and how they are diagnosed and treated.

Health Rhythms ("Health Radio") and Imaginis have teamed up to form “Radio Imaginis.” On the Imaginis site at "Radio Imaginis" you can listen to all Health Radio's Breast Cancer related programs. Health Rhythms produces health related radio programs with high attention to diversity issues. Health Radio is broadcast on networks and individual radio stations including NPR, Armed Forces network and Voice of America. Health Radio runs five days per week, a total of 250 shows a year and is supported by AARP and the California Wellness Foundation.

Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Women’s Health Newsletter, which is published by email every month. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, feel free to share it with a friend, colleague or family member. Simply click "forward," type in a friend's email address, and then click "send." If you would like to add the email addresses of your friends and family to the newsletter mailing list, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/ .