Women’s Independent Press

Business Exchange Networking Lunch

* Give a 1-2 minute commercial for your business.
* Bring business cards, brochures, and samples.
* Make new business contacts.

Dates and Locations:

Oct. 2- Wexford, Atria’s, 12980 Perry Highway, Wexford
RSVP: email Tina Noblers at TinaNobers@CMNNutritionGroup

Oct. 9- Mount Lebanon, Atria’s, 110 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon
RSVP: email Michelle Zmijanac at
Michellezmijanac@bestpracticesdelivered.com

Oct. 23- Fox Chapel, Comfort Inn (Old Holiday Inn) in RIDC Park,
Ohara Twp
RSVP: 412-781-8773 or Carol@CarolBrineyWorkFromHome.com

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 (Bring cash; No-shows will be billed for the lunch)
RSVP: By Monday prior to the event

For more info, go to: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=y4EqyLj_NDW0iQSVS7KtRw

The WSBA Network Lunch

A Networking Luncheon for Women Business Owners & Professionals
“Get Heard, Get Noticed, Get Leads”

A networking event open to any business woman who would like
to increase her business contacts/clientele. Our networking
format will be structured to provide participants with high
profile and networking. Bring 20-30 business cards/brochures,
cash for your lunch check, and be prepared to give a 60-second
commercial about yourself.

Oct. 2 - 1:00 p.m. - Butler
Oct. 3 - 11:30 a.m. - Allegheny Valley
Oct. 9 - 11:30 a.m. - Shaler/Gibsonia
Oct. 11 - 1:00 p.m. - Robinson/Airport
Oct. 14 - 1:00 p.m. - Beaver County
Oct. 15 - 1:00 p.m. - East End
Oct. 16 - 1:00 p.m. - South Hills
Oct. 17 - 1:00 p.m. - Washington
Oct. 19 - 1:00 p.m. - Monroeville
Oct. 22 - 1:00 p.m. - North Hills
Oct. 23 - 5:15 p.m. - After Work Network (Sharpsburg, PA)
Oct. 25 - 12:00 p.m. - Westmoreland

Host: Women’s Small Business Association
Fee: $2 meeting fee (plus the cost of lunch)
RSVP: Required (Note: Any “Yes” RSVPs who do not show
will be charged a $20 no-show fee.)

For more info and to register online,
go to: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=C5udvN4gkl6BfK4lQsGztA.

If you have further questions, contact Eileen Conniff Marzullo
at 412-429-9919 or marzullope@verizon.net.

E-Magnify Quick Books
Dates: Choose from Tuesday or Wednesday sessions in October 2013.
•Tuesdays: October 8, 15, and 22
•Wednesdays: October 9, 16, and 23
Location: YWCA of Westmoreland County, 424 North Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (for all sessions)
Registration Fees :

•All Three Sessions: $135 (save 10%)
•Individual Sessions: $50 each

Instructor: Anne-Terse (Teri) Hayes, Certified QuickBooks Consultant
Teri has been a QuickBooks Pro advisor since 1999. As a consultant and bookkeeper who has worked with small businesses, she understands the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Contact
Debra Mason
E-Magnify
info@e-magnify.com
724-830-4625
Where
YWCA of Westmoreland County
424 N. Main St
Greensburg, PA 15601 ____

Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
12:00 – 1:00pm

Speaker: Meg Huwar, Huwar Marketing
Topic: Finding Your Business Niche
Join us to learn how to differentiate your business from every other business that does what you do. Know why your potential customers should choose YOU!

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

Startup Funding Workshop
October 11, 2013

(The Women Business Leaders Breakfast Series)

Come learn about the SBA loans and non-profit financing available
for women entrepreneurs who are just starting out. With a panel of
experts, followed by individual discussion sessions with
representatives from the SBA and local nonprofit lenders,
it’s a great opportunity to get your finance questions answered
and get your business started.

Featured lending organizations to be on the panel and host an
informational table at the event include: SBA, Allegheny County
Department of Economic Development, Bridgeway Capital, Southwestern
PA Commission, Regional Development Funding Corporation, Urban
Innovation21, Strategies for Small Business, Urban Redevelopment
Authority

Date: October 11, 2013
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Chatham University, Shadyside
Host: The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University
Cost: $25 (Students with ID- $12.50)
RSVP: Suggested by October 7

Register online at:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=TiYdycK1VDO06kQmid.Ymw

October 16, 2013
Living an Abundant Life
Join us for an evening of networking and self-development.

Featured speakers include:

Kasey Arena, Certified Personal Trainer
George Payne, Senior Loan Consultant
Susan Barclay, Financial Services Professional, Mass Mutual
Greg Eisenhart, Marketing Assistant, Liberty Mutual
Liz Kenon, Health Insurance and Medicare Specialist
Brenda DeCroo, Life and Business Coach

Date: October 16, 2013
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Place: Comfort Inn (Old Holiday Inn) in RIDC Park,
Ohara Twp
Hosts: The Abundant Resources Group and BLX Networking Group
Cost: No charge (Cash bar available)
RSVP: By October 11

To RSVP, send an email to:
info@AbundantLivingResources.com.

Oktoberfest Networking Event
October 16, 2013
Kick off the fall season with the Pittsburgh Social Exchange and
Butler County Chamber of Commerce at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille for
the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest! Join us for an eventful night with a
German twist among 300+ of Pittsburgh’s elite professionals.

-Complimentary German appetizers and hors d’oeuvres
-Mix and mingle with hundreds of the Greater Pittsburgh Area’s
business owners, corporate level executives, and entrepreneurs
-Special German theme and beer selection
-Support Autism Speaks and learn about their cause
-Special guests and local regional celebs TBA
-Cash Bar with Specialty Drinks
-Free parking
-Chinese auction & Door prizes
-Business attire please

Last year we had 500+ in attendance. We expect a similar number
this year - maybe more!! Join us for a business networking event
you won’t forget. This event will sell out!

Date: October 16, 2013
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, 103 Slade Lane, Warrendale, PA

Hosts: Pittsburgh Social Exchange and Butler County Chamber
of Commerce
Price : Members-$15.00; Non-members-$45 ($65 After Oct. 15th)

Register online at: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=z8otqvb2yusNPS3IQYamWQ.

Disability Resource Breakfast
Thursday, October 17, 2013
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Speaker: Melva Gooden Ledbetter, MS Chief Professional Officer, Class
Topic:Best-Fit Work Opportunities

Community Based Employment Opportunities for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities are supported by CLASS (Community Living And Support Services). Learn how classroom instruction and community volunteer experiences empower people and create a better understanding of the options that are available for employment.
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

Think Big Forum: Women who Lead
October 18, 2013

The Think Big Forum is a half-day forum that addresses current
issues of importance to businesswomen. Regional and national
speakers are brought in to provide key insights and experiences.

Keynote Speaker:
Jill Blashack Strahan, Founder & CEO, Tastefully Simple Inc

Presenting:
“Small Beginnings & Big Dreams: Three Success Factors”

Whatever your dreams may be, Jill Blashack Strahan can help you
take them to the next stage. Though her company started out in
a shed with no running water - using a pool table as the packing
station - Jill has built Tastefully Simple into a $100 million
enterprise and has been recognized as one of the nation’s top
CEOs by Inc., Fast Company and Pink magazines. So listen as she
shares the three success factors for any entrepreneur - and the
straightforward philosophy for building a multi-million dollar
business.

Panel Progam:
“Women and Leadership: how to be an effective leader, how to
instill trust and loyalty, and how to assess your leadership
potential and practices”

Moderator: Deborah L. Acklin, President/CEO of WQED Pittsburgh

Panelists:

- Ellen M Mclean, Interim CEO of the Port Authority of
Allegheny County
- Barbara Span, VP of Global Public Affairs for Western Union
- Bernadette Turner, Executive Director, Addison Behavioral Care

Date: October 18, 2013
Time: 8:00 am - Noon
Place: Chatham University Shadyside Campus
Host: Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship,
Chatham University
Cost: $45.00 (Student Rate: $25 with valid student ID)

Register online at:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=qjTImaN8cwbPzEl0nVdjpg

Women’s Power Lunch
October 18, 2013

Come be a part of the longest running networking luncheon in the
Pittsburgh area. Bring 50 business cards or brochures to hand
out and be prepared to give a short presentation on your business
to introduce yourself to other business women and professionals.

Date: October 18, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: (To be announced), Pittsburgh
Cost: $32.00 (Prepayment required)
RSVP: By October 16th

Questions: Contact Suzanne at Suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com
or 724-452-5152.

Register online at: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=BHWPDgweV7T1wa9G4OxcUQ

Stop Operating as a Speaker and Become a Speakerpreneur:
Create High End Programs
October 19, 2013

Presented by Marquesa Pettway

Marquesa helps speakerpreneurs REINVENT their businesses and
overall vision. She is the bestselling author of The Reinvention
Roadmap(TM) Book and Maps (2010). She is also the Founder of The
National Center for Speaker Training which provides coaching
programs for individuals that want to master speaking and build
income streams as a presenter.

Why should you attend?

- To get a booked calendar
- To make it easy for potential clients to find you and hire you
- To get multiple streams of income

In this business-building workshop, Marquesa Pettway will share:

- How she created a High End Program inclusive of quarterly Live
Events and virtual events generating six figures
- Why every speakerpreneur should offer a high-end program
- Three reasons you are losing money and opportunity without
having a high-end program

Date: October 19, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Location: Holiday Inn, Monroeville, 2750 Mosside Blvd,
Monroeville, PA 15146
Host: National Speakers Association, Pittsburgh Chapter
Cost: NSA Members & Affiliates-$35, Nonmembers-$45,
Add $15 for networking lunch.
RSVP: Suggested by October 16th

For more information and to register, go to:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=EyiRQ690J3Z.sMdg4peIdQ.

Money Consciousness: How to Take Charge of Your Financial Fate
October 24, 2013

Clever Connections Lunch and Workshop
Special Guest Speaker: Sanna Carapellotti, MS, CHt presents:

Money, the forbidden topic, has an energetic flow that is directed
by the subconscious mind. In this seminar, you will discover:

- the silent, powerful forces behind this flow,
- the role of the subconscious mind to how much you make and spend,
- steps you can take to clear dead beat patterns and release it to
increase it!

Sanna Carapellotti has worked with executives, small business
owners and presented at corporate sales events on money
consciousness and energy business patterns. She is a Life-Changing
Hypnotherapist, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Practitioner,
Body Health Activist, Speaker, and Creator of HypnoDining®,
The Engaged Eating Class.

Your registration includes lunch, workshop and materials.

Date: October 24, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Club Colony Restaurant, 1928 Cochran Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
(corner of Greentree & Cochran Roads)
Host: Pittsburgh Professional Women
Cost: Members- $35; Non-members- $45
(Prices increase on October 17th.)
RSVP: Suggested by October 16

Register online at:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=4gu7_&m=Jn3VZzX.AeZhGz&b=dG5vQGchtt55eqV3gIJHbQ

SAVE THE DATES

This is Your Life. Cook it Up!
A 3‐Course Menu to Feed Your Soul, Fill Your Belly, and Nourish Your Life.

Facilitated by Nancy Stampahar from Silver Lining Solutions
Nancy Stampahar is an inspirational catalyst for change. With a high school dropout past, to earning her
BSBA college degree, Nancy knows what it what it takes to cook up a good life! Nancy is an award-winning
author and creator of the enthusiastic videos that aired on The Rachael Ray Show and Oprah’s OWN
network. Nancy’s professional knowledge, personal wisdom and zest for life have helped thousands of
people achieve positive results.

1st Course: Thursday, October 24th, 2013, 8-11am
Dishin’ Simplicity – How to Stop Feeling Like a Pulled Pork Sandwich and Start Balancing Your Life and Work

2nd Course: Thursday, November 7th, 2013, 8-11am
Dishin’ Conflict Resolution - How to Ward off Difficult People with Garlic

3rd Course: Thursday, December12th, 2013, 8-11am
Dishin’ Resiliency – How to Turn Challenges into a Delicious Pineapple Upside Down Cake

All Workshops Will Be Held at the Rivers Club (Downtown Pittsburgh)
Investment: Includes breakfast, networking , materials
and life-building skills.

Price for the 1st Course: $79.99
Price for a 2nd Helping (two courses): $145.99 (SAVE $14.00!)
PRIX FIXE Menu (all three courses): $199.00 (SAVE $40.00!)

Women made up almost half of the workforce last year, and yet were paid only between 65 cents to 85 cents for every dollar men make. That wage gap varies considerably among states. For instance women in Wyoming and Louisiana make around 65 cents for every dollar men make - while women in Vermont and Maryland make 85 cents .

Women face a number of challenges. Among them, health and income disparity. A recent study by the Center for American Progress (CAP) “The State of Women in America: A 50-State Analysis of How Women Are Faring Across the Nation,” addressed the challenges women face in the United States by measuring; their economic security, prominence in leadership roles and the current status of women’s health issues.

“Despite how important women are to our national economy and to their families, women are struggling to achieve economic security for themselves and their families and to balance the competing demands for their time,” the CAP notes in its report. This is certainly the case in the 10 worst states for women. Among these, only Oklahoma and Arkansas were awarded scores better than a “C” for economic security by the CAP. And in all but two of the states, the poverty rate for women and girls falls into the bottom half of all states. Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, all among the bottom five, each had one of the country’s five highest poverty rates for women and girls.

Many of these states were listed among the nation’s worst for female representation in Congress and only 5 of those states had any female representation in the state legislatures. These states also were less likely to have women in leadership roles than in the rest of the country. In most of these states, women were less likely than their male peers to hold a private sector management position. In two of the worst states — South Dakota and Utah — fewer than one in three management jobs were awarded to a woman.
Read the full report;
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/report/2013/09/25/74836/the-state-of-women-in-america/

The Greater Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, will take you on a trip down the “great white way” at their annual, family-friendly show, “Broadway Remembered,” at 4:00 PM on Sat., Oct. 26, at Ingomar Middle School, 1521 Ingomar Heights Road, Pgh., PA 15237. Greater Harmony, who is the 2nd place Region 17 medalist for 2013, will present songs and snippets from many loved Broadway musicals.

Show tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door for adults; tickets for children 12 and under are $5. After the show, join the chorus for dinner and entertainment at Remo’s Catering, Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. For more information go to www.greaterharmony.org or call 412-613-9800

Yvonne Phillips-Feng Shui for Basic Everyday Living!
www.fengshuipublications.com
www.fengshuiabc1.com
www.twitter.com/yvonnejean
www.facebook.com/yvonnephillips
412-215-8247

How to Activate the Main Entrance to Your Home

There are many ways to enhance your life by applying the wisdom of Feng Shui to your environment. As it becomes increasingly popular here in the west, you may have noticed all the red front door colors on people’s homes and wonder if there’s something going on that you don’t know about. People are indeed catching on to the knowledge of how important their main entrance is, and working with the magic of an ancient art and science from the east.

The movement of chi (life force energy) enters your home through the doors and windows, and the front door is the most important entry point to consider in Feng Shui. The quality of energy experienced in the household is largely determined by the location, colour and integrity of this main entrance.

Rather than painting your front door color the traditional red that you often see, there are actually other factors to consider that are particular to your house, its location and the qualities you want to activate. The color of the front door should be in accordance with the compass direction it faces, and according to the five elements of Feng Shui practices. For instance:
 South (Fire) = reds, pink and burgundy.
 Southwest (Earth) = yellows or browns.
 Southeast (Wood) = greens.
 West (Metal) = white, silver, copper or gold.
 Northwest (Metal) = white, silver, copper or gold.
 North (Water) = blacks or blues.
 Northeast (Earth) = yellows or browns.
 East (Wood) = greens.
Other factors to consider for the wisest application of Feng Shui for your front door include:

• Colour – as stated above, determine with a compass which direction your front door faces and paint accordingly. A qualified Feng Shui Practitioner can provide additional tools that may be needed to best balance the elements and activate what you want to bring into your life.
• Avoid always using another side door to enter your home. Keep your front door activated by using it regularly.
• Use solid wood instead of a glass door, as glass allows chi to move in too fast and can’t keep the energy inside of the house.
• Keep the front door clear of clutter and debris inside and outside, such as garbage bags or recycling, shoes and objects lying around, blocking the beneficial energy to flow through.
• Ensure your door opens inwards, with well-oiled hinges and a proper functioning door knob.
• The size of the front door should be in correct proportion to the rest of the house, as being too small or too large in scale will create difficulties.
• Ensure proper outdoor lighting, and a clearly visible address number.
• Try to avoid having your front door blocked such as facing into the corner of another house, a large tree or post. If this is unavoidable, a Feng Shui Practitioner can recommend cures and tools to offset this.
• Avoid blocking part of your doorway with a potted plant or object, as this will cut off the chi.
• The front entrance of your home is associated with Career, so enhancing this area will naturally benefit it. You can also uplift it further by hanging wind chimes outside your front door to bring more opportunities, job satisfaction or a promotion.

Perhaps 2013 is your year to spruce up your front door, with a new color and Feng Shui magic. With the right intention and a few changes, you can do your part to bring the beneficial life energy into your home.

Yvonne Phillips is a National Feng Shui Practitioner, Author and Speaker with over 18 years of experience. Yvonne is certified with Feng Shui Institute International and has trained with world famous Feng Shui Grandmaster Lillian Too. As owner of Creative Color & Design, she incorporates Feng Shui principles into both residences and businesses, from small businesses to large corporations. Please visit http://www.fengshuipublications.com or email yvonnephillips1@aol.com for more information.

Information obtained from the National Breast Cancer Foundation
www.nationalbreastcancer.org

What is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ?
Ductal carcinoma in citu (DCIS) is a non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells have been found in the lining of the breast milk duct. The atypical cells have not spread outside of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue. Ductal carcinoma in situ is very early cancer that is highly treatable, but if it’s left untreated or undetected, it can spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
What does the term, “in situ” mean? The earliest stages of cancers are called “carcinoma in situ.” Carcinoma means “cancer” and in situ means “in the original place.”

What is invasive ductal carcinoma?
The abnormal cancer cells that began forming in the milk ducts have spread beyond the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body. It is also sometimes called infiltrative ductal carcinoma.
IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, making up nearly 70- 80% of all breast cancer diagnoses.IDC is also the type of breast cancer that can most commonly affects men.

What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?
A diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer means that the three most common types of receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth–estrogen, progesterone, and the HER-2/neu gene– are not present in the cancer tumor. This means that the breast cancer cells have tested negative for hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). Since the tumor cells lack the necessary receptors, common treatments like hormone therapy and drugs that target estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2 are ineffective. Using chemotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancer is still an effective option. In fact, triple negative breast cancer may respond even better to chemotherapy in the earlier stages than many other forms of cancer.

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)?
Inflammatory breast cancer is an an aggressive and fast growing breast cancer in which cancer cells infiltrate the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. It often produces no distinct tumor or lump that can be felt and isolated within the breast. But when the lymph vessels become blocked by the breast cancer cells, symptoms begin to appear.

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer is also classified as Stage 4 breast cancer. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This usually includes the lungs, liver, bones or brain.
How does cancer spread, or metastasize?
The spread of cancer usually happens through one or more of the following steps:
Cancer cells invade nearby healthy cells. When the healthy cell is taken over, it too can replicate more abnormal cells.
Cancer cells penetrate into the circulatory or lymph system. Cancer cells travel through the walls of nearby lymph vessels or blood vessels.
Migration through circulation. Cancer cells are carried by the lymph system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
Cancer cells lodge in capillaries. Cancer cells stop moving as they are lodged in capillaries at a distant location and divide and migrate into the surrounding tissue.
New small tumors grow. Cancer cells form small tumors at the new location (called micrometastases.)

Can a woman get breast cancer during pregnancy?
It is possible to be diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy, although it is rare and the breast cancer is not caused by the pregnancy. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy have tremendous additional strain due to concern for the safety of the unborn child. It can be a traumatic and extremely difficult situation, but there is still hope for both mother and child, thanks to the many treatment options available.
If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed, be sure to communicate carefully with your obstetric care team as well as your oncology team, and it never hurts to verify that they have open communication with each other. Your medical team will take extra care in designing the treatment plan that best controls the breast cancer while protecting your unborn child.

Although by far, the most common breast cancer type is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), there are other types that are less commonly seen.

Medullary Carcinoma
Medullary carcinoma accounts for 3-5% of all breast cancer types. The tumor usually shows up on a mammogram, but does not always feel like a lump. At times, it feels like a spongy change of breast tissue.

Tubular Carcinoma
Making up about 2% of all breast cancer diagnosis, tubular carcinoma cells have a distinctive tubular structure when viewed under a microscope. It is usually found through a mammogram and is a collection of cells that can feel like a spongy area of breast tissue rather than a lump. Typically this type of breast cancer is found in women aged 50 and above and usually responds well to hormone therapy.

Mucinous Carcinoma (Colloid)
Mucinous carcinoma represents approximately 1% to 2% of all breast cancers. The main differentiating features are mucus production and cells that are poorly defined. It also has a favorable prognosis in most cases.

Paget Disease of the Breast or Nipple
This condition (also known as mammary Paget disease) is a rare type of cancer affecting the skin of the nipple and often the areola, which is the darker circle of skin around the nipple. Most people with Paget disease evident on the nipple also have one or more tumors inside the same breast; generally either ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer (1–3). Paget disease is frequently misdiagnosed at first because the first noticeable symptoms can easily be confused with more common skin conditions affecting the nipple. Like all breast cancers, the prognosis for Paget disease depends on a variety of factors, including the presence or absence of invasive cancer and whether or not it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Symptoms and Signs

Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be investigated by a healthcare professional.
Most people who have breast cancer symptoms and signs will initially notice only one or two, and the presence of these symptoms and signs do not automatically mean that you have breast cancer.
By performing monthly breast self-exams, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast. Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional if you notice anything unusual.

A change in how the breast or nipple feels
Nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area
A change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast (some describe this as similar to an orange peel’s texture)
A lump in the breast (It’s important to remember that all lumps should be investigated by a healthcare professional, but not all lumps are cancerous.)

A change in the breast or nipple appearance
Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling anywhere on the breast
Unexplained swelling of the breast (especially if on one side only)
Unexplained shrinkage of the breast (especially if on one side only)
Recent asymmetry of the breasts (Although it is common for women to have one breast that is slightly larger than the other, if the onset of asymmetry is recent, it should be checked.)
Nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted
Skin of the breast, areola, or nipple that becomes scaly, red, or swollen or may have ridges or pitting resembling the skin of an orange.

Any nipple discharge—particularly clear discharge or bloody discharge
It is also important to note that a milky discharge that is present when a woman is not breastfeeding should be checked by her doctor, although it is not linked with breast cancer.
If I have some symptoms, is it likely to be cancer?
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer, but any breast cancer symptom you notice should be investigated as soon as it is discovered. If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your healthcare provider so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated.
If I have no symptoms, should I assume I do not have cancer?
Although there’s no need to worry, regular screenings are always important. Your doctor can check for breast cancer before you have any noticeable symptoms. During your office visit, your doctor will ask about your personal and family medical history and perform a physical examination. In addition, your doctor may order one or more imaging tests, such as a mammogram.

Information obtained from
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background.
Violence against women is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime.

CHILDREN WHO WITNESS

Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.

HOMICIDE AND INJURY

Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.

In 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.

Less than one-fifth of victims reporting an injury from intimate partner violence sought medical treatment following the injury.
Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

85% of domestic violence victims are women.

Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

DID YOU KNOW?
Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police
The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.

Victims of intimate partner violence lost almost 8 million days of paid work because of the violence perpetrated against them by current or former husbands, boyfriends and dates. This loss is the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity as a result of violence.

REPORTING RATES
Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes.

Only approximately one-quarter of all physical assaults, one-fifth of all rapes, and one-half of all stalkings perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police.

Approximately 20% of the 1.5 million people who experience intimate partner violence annually obtain civil protection orders.

Approximately one-half of the orders obtained by women against intimate partners who physically assaulted them were violated.

More than two-thirds of the restraining orders against intimate partners who raped or stalked the victim were violated.

There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which costs $37 billion.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STALKING

One in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.

Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of battering relationships.

1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men have been stalked in their lifetime.
81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; 31% are also sexually assaulted by that partner.