Saturday, February 20, 2010

not cancer

Cancer /ˈkænsə(r)/ ( listen) (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.

Cancer affects people at all ages with the risk for most types increasing with age.[1] Cancer caused about 13% of all human deaths in 2007[2] (7.6 million).[3]

Cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells.[4] These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may randomly occur through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers is usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome.

Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.

cancer events

The Cancer Blog

Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Cancer Fundraisers And Sports: The Pink Zone

Posted Jan 28th 2010 8:00AM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Pink products, Cancer events
Just over a year ago, Kay Yow died of breast cancer. Her legacy lives on.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, the former North Carolina State women's basketball coach decided to raise awareness and money to fight the disease.

Among the many projects Yow was passionate about was the "Pink Zone," a Women's Basketball Coaches Association initiative that began in 2007 with 120 schools. Last year, "Pink Zone" raised more that $1.3 million.

Each high school, college and professional women's basketball team that participates in the Pink Zone pledges to raise money for breast cancer awareness at a home game. Most schools special order bright pink uniforms, warm-ups and sneakers.

This year's event runs from Feb. 12-21, but some schools are already hosting their Pink Zone games.

Media hype should grow throughout the celebration, but the North Carolina versus Virginia game promises to be among the most notable. Tar Heels player Jessica Breland and Cavaliers coach Debbie Ryan have both fought cancer.

Breland underwent chemotherapy over the summer for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Ryan overcame pancreatic cancer in 2000.

Check out AOL Health for more information on cancer prevention.

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Brides Against Breast Cancer: Event in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

Posted Sep 11th 2007 12:00PM by Kristina Collins
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Events, Fundraisers

The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.

One of the Making Memories fundraisers is Brides Against Breast Cancer. It can give brides-to-be, an opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true. Click here if you wish to donate your gown.

The Drexelbrook Wedding and Banquet Facility is hosting Nationwide Tour of Gowns on October 10th and 11th. If you live near Drexel Hill, PA you can attend this event and browse over 40 racks of exquisite, named brand and designer wedding gowns costing from $89 to $799.

Event Details:

Drexelbrook Wedding & Banquet Facility. Drexelbrook Drive & Valley road

Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026

Wednesday, October 10th, 10am - 8pm

Thursday, October 11th, 10am - 8pm

Contact: mminfo@makingmemories.org

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Chicago Cubs honour Breast Cancer patients

Posted Sep 4th 2007 5:47PM by Martha Edwards
Filed under: Cancer events, Fundraisers, Cancer Survivors
This Chicago Cubs will honour breast cancer patients in their September 22nd game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, CNN has reported. It's all part of the National City Real Men Wear Pink campaign, of which legendary player Ryne Sandberg is a spokesperson for. The game will feature real breast cancer survivors from the Chicagoland area, though unfortunately, nominations for survivors were only accepted until September 1.

I think it's awesome that the men involved with sports teams are getting involved in the fight against breast cancer. It might be a disease limited to females but it's something that affects everyone in one way or another.

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QVC sells shoes to save lives

Posted Aug 29th 2007 10:00AM by Jacki Donaldson
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Fundraisers, Products, Celebrity news
Breast cancer survivor and rocker Sheryl Crow says she conquered cancer in part due to the type of research funded by "FFANY Shoes on Sale." This Fashion Footwear Association of New York shoe sale features thousands of beautiful shoes sold at half the manufacturer's suggested retail price. All net proceeds are donated to the breast cancer cause.

If you love shoes and wish to help further the fight against breast cancer, tune in to QVC for a night of shopping on October 17 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM ET.

Over the past 10 years, "FFANY Shoes On Sale" has raised more than $16 million and sold over 950,000 pairs of shoes to benefit breast cancer research and education programs. Here's to another great year.