By Joshua Fenton, MD, MPH When it comes to our health, no one likes to be surprised. Cancer can strike anyone at any age, and breast cancer is most common among women. Although most abnormalities detected in the breast are not cancerous or life-threatening, most breast cancers are invasive, which is why early detection through screening is important. Think about this: • 230,480 cases of invasive breast cancer in the U.S. were estimated to be diagnosed in 2011 in women and 2,140 in men. And 95 percent of the new cases will occur in women 40 years of age and older. • According to the California Cancer Registry, 945 new breast cancer cases are expected in 2012 in Sacramento County, 310 in P

By Christopher P. Evans, MD, FACS Misconceptions about prostate cancer abound. It’s not just a disease that affects older men, and it's not always slow-growing. Despite some recent recommendations against getting PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screenings, the facts show otherwise. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosis in American men and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths of men in America. One in six men in the U.S. risks getting prostate cancer during his lifetime. Why is this disease so prevalent today? We believe prostate cancer has always been widespread; however, before 1987, we didn’t screen for it. At that time, 40 percent of men diagnosed wi

Sacramentans are gearing up to go hairless next week as this year’s St. Baldrick’s Day events aim to add to the $4 million raised locally in the past decade to fund research for childhood cancer. “The event itself is something to be witnessed,” said Henry de Vere White, co-owner of de Vere’s Irish Pub, located at 1521 L St. “We’ve had women do it because their kid has cancer, we’ve had siblings do it and we’ve had Little League teams show up and shave their heads in honor of their teammates who had cancer.” De Vere White said Friday that shaving heads began in pubs on the east coast when some lawyers decided to try to raise $17,000 on March 17. Since then, it has snowballed to the point

Roller derby is a sport that has recently gained attention through films and television and its popularity is growing, as Sacramento is the home to two roller derby leagues – the Sac City Rollers and the Sacred City Derby Girls. The Sacramento Press met with some of the derby girls at a recent practice. The Sac City Rollers, which formed in 2006, are preparing for the first bout of the season this Friday. Roller derby is defined by one derby girl – “H.N. Icy” – as football on skates, but without a ball. She’s known as Jennifer Madrigal outside of derby, and is a lab technician. While some derby girls are in law enforcement or construction, the Sac City Rollers have teachers and a librar

Q: My mother is in the last stages of aggressive cancer, bedridden and nearly comatose from the pain medication. We haven't always had a good relationship (actually we have never had a good relationship), but the thought of losing her makes me realize how much I really do love her. I know she has sacrificed a lot for me in her life, and now I feel like I lost out on something special, a relationship with her. I am having a really hard time coping with her dying and us never having the chance to talk about this. My brother tells me that I just need to let it go and not bog her down with my feelings. I don't know what to do. A: I am really sorry to hear about your mom and the pain she is e

Written in memory of our brave daughter, Katie Janae Cramer, who went to Heaven January 6, 2011.   TO THE HOUSE OF THE KING Continued from A Journey of Hope- Part 1 It was January 2007, and our family would spend the next three years, three months climbing out of the valley of childhood cancer. We emerged - battle-fatigued and scarred - but we had emerged! And no one enjoyed being out of that valley more than our daughter. Katie seemed to have a renewed vigor for life. The battle hadn’t dampened her spirit - it energized it! She was ready to put her ordeal behind her and get on with life. She enjoyed her friends, being involved at church, and continued to excel in school. In February

Written in memory of our brave daughter, Katie Janae Cramer, who went to Heaven January 6, 2011. FROM THE DOORS OF AN ORPHANAGE: As the butterfly alights on my arm in the dingy industrial city of Liuzhou, China, our hopes for our newly adopted daughter are high. Life in a Chinese orphanage has been perilous for her, her tiny body telling a story of deprivation through her bloated tummy, pale skin, weak muscle tone, and dry, sparse hair. But a butterfly will soon to emerge. My husband and I return to Sacramento in May 1995, exhausted but elated at being home with our daughter. What was once only a tiny black-and-white picture is now an in-the-flesh baby dressed most often in pink. Alrea

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is pleased to announce the selection of Paula Birdsong as its new executive director. Birdsong will take over for executive director Donna Sanderson who will retire in October. “Paula’s experience as the regional vice president of the American Cancer Society, California Division made her the ideal candidate for this position” said Sanderson. “She managed operations for 32 counties throughout California, all while improving the organization’s financial status and exceeding annual donor contributions. Her experiences will help Komen to continue providing outstanding breast health services and education while exploring new ways

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will be recognizing the contributions of outstanding community partners on Sunday, October 9 at Arden Hills Resort & Spa, announced retiring Executive Director Donna Sanderson. “We are fortunate to have the support of outstanding community partners during my tenure as Executive Director of Komen Sacramento” said Sanderson. “The time has come to give them the public recognition they so richly deserve.” Among the award recipients will be: Joyce Raley Teel, co-chair of the Raley’s Board of Directors, who brought the full strength of  the Raley’s Family of Fine Stores resources to help in the fight against breast cancer.  Raley

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has expanded its 17-county service area to now include Glenn and Tehama counties.   With this expansion, residents can now receive services in the neighboring city of Chico, California through the California Health Collaborative breast cancer program. “Our goal is to ensure that we are providing breast health services and education to as many people as possible,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director of the Komen Sacramento Affiliate.  “Glenn and Tehama counties are severely lacking in these services, that’s why it makes perfect sense for us to expand our program to help more individuals and ultimately save more lives.” Gl

Former NBA star Bobby Jackson and the Bobby Jackson Foundation will host the Third Annual Golf Tournament at Catta Verdera Country Club golf course in Lincoln, Calif. on Monday, Sept. 26. Jackson is committed to assisting children in California who have a parent who has had or currently has cancer. The Bobby Jackson Foundation Golf Tournament will advance his cause by raising funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Sacramento Valley Affiliate and Camp Kesem. “I have long-admired the work that Susan G. Komen for the Cure has done right here in our community and am proud to support their efforts,” said Jackson. “It is also important to me to continue our partnership with Camp Kesem, an orga

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has partnered with the Sacramento River Cats to help bring greater awareness to breast cancer.  Swing for the Cure takes place on Saturday, July 23 with the River Cats taking on the Reno Aces. “Swing for the Cure combines a night of baseball with an opportunity to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director of the Komen Sacramento Affiliate.  “Not only does a portion of each ticket sale go directly to Komen Sacramento but baseball enthusiasts will be able to bid on pink players’ game-worn jerseys and other exciting items that will also directly benefit our organization.” In add

Sacramento’s Fruitridge Health & Wellness Collective (FHWC) is inaugurating its 5-year pledge to UC Davis Health System, pledging $50,000, which will be distributed evenly between UC Davis Health Systems’ WeCARE! Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer Peer Navigator Programs, which provide outreach, education and support to newly designated breast cancer and prostate cancer patients. This information was released today in this press release.   "The generous support of Fruitridge Health and Wellness Collective enables us to expand our unique WeCARE! Community-Based Cancer Peer Navigator Program to train more cancer survivors as cancer coaches for newly diagnosed cancer patients throughout our r

At the ripe age of six and a half, Juliette Geney can make a powerful claim like no other little girl her age. Last year, her Team Warrior Princess raised more than $23,000 during Walk ‘N Rock for Kids, sending 23 children with cancer to Camp Okizu in the Sierra foothills. Okizu provides peer support, respite, mentoring and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.  Juliette’s goal was to send 21 kids to Camp Okizu. Thanks to supporters of her Walk ‘N Rock for Kids team and a surprise call from an anonymous donor, Team Warrior Princess was able to surpass that goal. Warrior Princess — the name Juliette assumed during her own cancer

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is seeking volunteers for the 15th Annual Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed to make this year’s race a huge success. “Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the race starting April 30, 2011 through May 7, 2011,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sacramento Valley. “There are a variety of positions and shifts available from pre-race registration at Arden Fair Mall to distributing refreshments and water on race day at Cal Expo.” This year, more than 20,000 people are expected to make an impact against breast cancer in one of the region’s la

Hundreds of people will gather to shave their hair off on Monday, March 14, for the St. Baldrick’s Day event at de Vere’s Irish Pub. The event raises awareness of childhood cancer and raises money for research. Robyn Raphael, 46, the CEO of Keaton Raphael Memorial and the mother of Keaton Raphael, who passed away from cancer in 1998, will be hosting the event. “I was challenged in 2003 to shave my hair when I met the founders in Washington,” Raphael said. “I shaved my head in honor of my son, Keaton, then I came back and rallied the Sacramento community to raise money, and we raised a little over $30,000.” The event will take place at de Vere’s at 1521 L St. from 5 - 8 p.m. Last year,

The 20th Street Gallery will resemble a Victoria’s Secret Store for the rest of September. That is, if that store were attacked by maniacal clowns or perhaps a disgruntled former model that was tossed aside for ripening beyond the age of 21. For most women, a bra is mainly a functional device of support and comfort. A bra can be lingerie, protection during athletic activities, or just a nuisance to get us through the workday and then be discarded at the earliest possible opportunity. For some though, a bra has a deeper emotional significance. Patients and survivors of breast cancer are forced to appreciate bras in a different light, especially those who have experienced a mastectomy and

 Celebrity athletes are just like you and I. Well, maybe not just like you and I, but similar. They are like richer, better-dressed, more-fit versions of us (Or, in Scot Pollard's case, just richer). The similarities were on display at the second annual Athletes vs. Cancer golf tournament at the Woodcreek Golf Club, hosted by Matt Barnes on Saturday. Barnes founded the AVC to honor his mother, who passed away from cancer in 2007. Their mission is to "support research, create awareness, provide screening opportunities and deliver support to cancer patients." The tournament featured many athletes with local ties, among them former Kings Chris Webber, Scot Pollard, Bobby Jackson, Doug Chri

On July 24, 2010, I Tamika Tillis from Three Hands Together will be having a Community Baby Shower for a mother with terminal Cancer. This devastating disease prevents her from working to take care of her unborn child. By donating cash and in kind items to this cause, you are helping to create a beautiful, joyous memorable event to a woman affected with this unpredictable disease. The color schemes for this event are brown and pink. I have a personal stake in this particular event. My grandmother died from cancer. Not only do I want to help her, but also the many others diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is a disease that can affect the entire body. Some symptoms of cancer may include loss of a

Jamie Gonzales was a good journalist and a better friend. Her tragic death at age 25 as a result of colorectal cancer never seemed fair to those who knew her. Despite her short career in journalism, Jamie made an impact, and her work was recognized last week when the California Newspaper Publishers Association awarded her first place for column writing in its annual Better Newspapers Contest. Her column/blog series focused on her “experiences and struggles with rectal cancer.” Jamie graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a degree in government-journalism in 2007. She spent some time as an intern at The Auburn Journal before working as a reporter at the Elk Grove Ci