According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women may not have any symptoms during the beginning of breast cancer, but symptoms do appear as the cancer grows. They include:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast

If you’re 40 or older, or if you’re experiencing symptoms or have a family history of breast cancer, ask for a mammogram for early detection. The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program helps underserved women in the US gain access to breast cancer screenings. Find a local breast cancer detection program online.

(Image via WikiMedia Commons)

Post from: Blisstree

Know the Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Fabric.com has a great selection of 100% cotton pink ribbon fabrics.  They’d be great for all kinds of fabric crafts, from quilts to clothing.

This first print is called “Pink Ribbons of Hope Butterfly Candy” and was designed by Karen Neuberger:

The “Passionately Pink Rose Bouquet” panel measures 24 inches by 44 inches and was designed by Ro Gregg:

The “Passionately Pink Large Hearts” print is a coordinate for the panel, also designed by Ro Gregg:

You can also make and donate crafts that will directly support women suffering from breast cancer as well.  The Charity Craft Volunteer Network has patterns and a list of needed items to make life a little easier for women in treatment.

Want to act locally?  What about asking your local hospital if there is anything you could sew for them?

Fabric.com

Post from: Blisstree

Breast Cancer Benefit Fabric

Here’s a list of companies that are doing their part to help bring about an end to breast cancer. They are all sponsors of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

*Yoplait Yogurt – Purchase a Yoplait yogurt with a pink lid, then send your clean lid to Yoplait. They will donate .10 cents for each lid they receive to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Yoplait pledges to donate at least $500,000 and up to $1.5 million. Be sure to get your lids to Yoplait by December 31, 2009.

*Evian Natural Spring Water – Evianwill donate .60 cents for each specially marked 6 pack of 1 liter or 500 milliliter bottles sold. Evian promises to donate at least $100,000 and up to $150,000.

*Lean Cuisine – Purchase specially marked packages of Lean Cuisine frozen entrees and Lean Cuisine promises to donate a portion of the purchase price to Susan G. Komen. Lean Cuisine’s donation will be at least $250,000.

*Mars Snackfood U.S.,LLC – Purchase specially marked bags of M&Ms and a minimum of $500,000 minimum will be donated. This would be the dark and light pink M&Ms.

For more Susan G. Komen sponsors, take a look here.

Image credit: Sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Pink Ribbon Products

There are traditional pink ribbons from Faye Burgos & Marcus Brothers Fabrics:

Also from Faye Burgos, “love & harmony” flannel with pink butterflies and ladybugs:

Karen Neuburger has designed a bold & funky collection of quilting cotton prints for Quilting Treasures:

Ro Gregg has created a soft and romantic rose garden-themed collection as the 2008 Quest for the Cure Collection:

images: Fabric.com

Post from: Blisstree

Support breast cancer research with fun fabric