Breast Cancer Expert Fran Visco shares Breast Cancer management news and commentary at MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/34821/examinations Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:13:00 -0400 Fran Visco Are you surprised about this past week's news on breast self-exams (BSE)? The Cochrane Collaboration reported that Jan Peter Kosters, Ph.D., and Peter Gotzsche, Ph.D., of the Nordic Cochrane Centre, updated their 2003 review of BSE studies. Kosters and Gotzsche's conclusion remains the same: "At present, screening by breast self-examination... cannot be recommended."   This information was shocking to many women, who have been... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/34821/examinations http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/32654/plastic-water Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:49:00 -0400 Fran Visco Many myths surround breast cancer, as well as other claims that may have something to them.  In the latter category is the claim that plastic water bottles cause breast cancer.  We have some clues from experiments on animals in laboratory studies on rodents, and certain chemicals found in some plastics; but we do not know if these clues tell us anything about human beings.  And keep in mind that we are talking about risk... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/32654/plastic-water http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/29263/pledge-breast Thu, 29 May 2008 13:04:00 -0400 Fran Visco As you know, it is a presidential election year.  The record number of voters who have participated in this year's presidential primaries and caucuses indicate that Americans want to make their voices heard.  For those of us who have fought, day after day, year after year, to eradicate breast cancer, this renewed interest in public policy is exciting. Breast cancer is not only a medical or scientific issue: it is a political issue.... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/29263/pledge-breast http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/25258/cancer Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:28:00 -0400 Fran Visco We all want to make a meaningful difference in our lives. In breast cancer, the issues are complex and often it's hard to know what is the right thing to do. That is one of the reasons we spend so much time training advocates and educating them. A few months ago I told you about the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund's 16th Annual Advocacy Training Conference. It is now less than two weeks away from that meeting, which is the... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/25258/cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/22869/rate-year Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:53:00 -0400 Fran Visco Elected officials, local, state, and federal, are usually willing to show up to cut the ribbon at the opening of the local breast center or to pin on a pink lapel ribbon to show support. But those things do little to move us forward to getting important answers about breast cancer. You know that breast cancer is a political issue - not just a scientific and medical one.  And there are laws and policies that have been well thought out and... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/22869/rate-year http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/20820/health-care Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:04:00 -0500 Fran Visco What does quality breast cancer care mean? And when does it start? Does it begin when a woman first walks into the doctor's office? When she first suspects she may have breast cancer?  The truth is, quality care begins long before any of this. It starts in the lab. It starts with how scientists approach the breast cancer problem. Why is research so important and how does it translate into quality care in the clinical setting? Because... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/20820/health-care http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/20090/care-access Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:11:00 -0500 Fran Visco I am writing this on Super Tuesday, as many of you are making your choice about the next person to lead our country. If you have met with the candidates or listened to the debates (particularly on the Democratic side) you have heard a great deal of discussion about health care. It is only natural for breast cancer survivors and advocates like us, and our friends and family, to pay extra attention when that topic comes up. As survivors, as... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/20090/care-access http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/19523/unity-unite Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:39:00 -0500 Fran Visco You care about ending breast cancer, otherwise you would not be reading this. We all know that breast cancer hits hard. And fighting breast cancer is not easy, on an individual level and as an advocate for change for all. There is a great way you can get involved, meet and learn from hundreds of other advocates dedicated to this issue and make a real difference. Every year in Washington D.C., the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/19523/unity-unite http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/18697/case-rush Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:28:00 -0500 Fran Visco Last month, amid the holiday rush and year-end preparations, the fight against breast cancer continued. A week before Christmas, many of us from NBCC -- Executive Vice President Carolina Hinestrosa, other staff, and advocates from around the country -- traveled to San Antonio for the 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. This meeting is touted as the largest gathering of scientists in the breast cancer research field. Doctors,... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/18697/case-rush http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/18107/make-2008 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:30:00 -0500 Fran Visco As we look ahead to 2008, I want to tell you how much I've enjoyed talking with you this year about what's important to NBCC. To those of you who have gotten involved with our advocacy work - thank you. To the rest of you, I hope getting involved with NBCC is on your New Year's resolution list. Here's a look at what lies ahead for us in 2008.  NBCC is planning to continue the advances we have made on all our top... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/4535/18107/make-2008