Monday, May 12, 2014

HIS Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Golf Event - Mendon Golf Club

      HIS Breast Cancer Awareness 1st Charity Golf Event

 HIS Breast Cancer Awareness will hold our 1st Charity Golf Event to help raise funds for Education and Awareness of Male Breast Cancer. On June 9, 2014 at Mendon Golf Club located in the Rochester, NY area a full day of fun is planned with Lunch, Driving Range, Practice Facilities, Cart, Golf Scramble, Cocktails and Great Prizes!


Just imagine hearing those words! We know you receive a great deal information with awareness for breast cancer however this may be of interest to you in a more direct way.  We are all aware of the percentages and risk of breast cancer but are you aware that MEN can also receive a diagnosis of Breast Cancer?




In 2008 Harvey was diagnosed with Male Breast Cancer!
Male Breast Cancer Does Exist!  “I’m living Proof, which is better than being dying proof!”
About 13 years earlier his sister Vicki and our mother Libby were diagnosed with Breast Cancer first. Both Harvey and Vicki are carriers of the BRCA2 genetic mutation.
HIS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS was formed in 2010 as a fully credited nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization to bring education, awareness, prevention and lifestyle assistance to anyone dealing with Male Breast Cancer or having a family member with a history of Breast Cancer.  Men have a much higher percentage fatality rate because they don’t think they can get Breast Cancer, do not notice the symptoms, receive routine breast checks where a family history is prevalent and cannot be screened on a regular basis with the current insurance regulations.  The American Cancer Society says there will be over 2,240 new cases of male breast cancer in 2014 and approximately 410 men will die from the disease. Although the numbers are smaller, men will die from breast cancer!
HIS Breast Cancer Awareness is here to assist and inform. On Monday June 9th, we’re here to help make this happen even better with a day of fun, games, prizes and friends. Hope you’ll come out and join us! Or, support our efforts through hole sponsorship or donations.

FIRST HIS-BCA GOLF TOURNAMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MALE /FEMALE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS & BRCA GENETIC MUTATION AWARENESS!
DATE: Monday June 9th, 2014. 12:00 Noon Lunch/ 1 PM SHOTGUN START
WHERE: 
226 Mendon Ionia Road
Mendon, NY 14506

Cost;  $120.00 per Player / $420.00 for Foursome
Hole Sponsors available; $250.00 (1Hole & 1 Player) or $500.00 (2Holes & 2 Players)
RSVP by May 31, 2014 or email for more information: Harvey Singer/ Co- Founder: HIS Breast Cancer Awareness: 


Changes need to be made, but it all begins with awareness and education!  We need to add some blue to the pink ribbon and we hope with your efforts and support, together we can make the changes needed to save lives. See you on the course! 

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful

Editor; Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-Founder
HIS Breast Cancer Awareness

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Your Mother's Day Genes

Happy Mother's Day


Happy and Healthy Mother's Day! Where would any of us be without our mother?!!
On this day, we especially thank them for all they have done from bringing us into this world,
to teaching, guiding, and giving us unconditional love. Of course, they also  pass on their genes!

This Mother's Day will be my 19th year since my first diagnosis and I began participating (running or walking) in the Komen Race for the Cure 5k that is held every Mother's Day in Philadelphia. With my 3 sons and husband by my side, my family has always been so supportive of this morning 'for me'. Little did they (we) realize back then, this race would also play a role for them directly with the possibility they too as a male, could be diagnosed with breast cancer.

While enjoying your time with your mother (and father) this Sunday, make it a point to ask some questions about your family medical history. Whether you're male or female, it's important to know if family members have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma or other cancers. Educate all family members that cancer knows no gender and yes, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you learn of these cancers linked to one side of your family, consider having genetic testing. The BRCA genetic mutation often stems from Eastern Europe and is prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish decent. Today the BRCA gene mutation is found all over the world in women and men.

I began running in this event 19 years ago because it touched me, my mother and my maternal aunt. It wasn't until my 3rd diagnosis did I discover that I am a BRCA2 carrier of the mutation. Fortunately sharing my information with my brothers, probably saved my brother Harvey's life. After noticing shooting pain in his breast area, he did not hesitate to see his doctor only to be diagnosed with male breast cancer. As well, our sons are educated, aware and proactive and we assist with helping others to learn more from our nonprofit organization we began called HIS Breast Cancer Awareness. We are also looking forward to being a part of an important documentary, Pink&Blue. This past April, Harvey, my mother and I have had our breast screenings and thankfully we are all clean!

This Mother's Day, I continue to walk for myself, my brother, our mother (89 years old), our aunt (98 years old) and other loved ones along side of my beautiful (inside and out) school girlfriends as well "with" our amazing Lori. Lori and I will walk the steps together this year as survivors and join her team of Iron Butterflies.

We are all very blessed to be survivors, to be healthy today and most importantly, enjoying this Mother's Day. We all know far too many who have not been as fortunate and we walk 'for' them with heavy hearts. If you would like to make a donation in someone's honor or memory, please visit our web site here; http://hisbreastcancer.org/donate.html

My family is growing as I now have 2 daughters (in law) with my first grandchild on the way! And I will get to spend this weekend with all of them, the perfect gift! 

Wishing you all a very Happy and most importantly, Healthy Mother's Day.
Give and Get The Gift of Education.

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful

Editor; Vicki Singer Wolf

Co-founder; HIS Breast Cancer Awareness

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Can radiation therapy have an effect on your heart?

As with any medications and medical treatments, adverse effects are often involved.  According to a recent study, breast cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy have a slightly higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease.  Of course, the researchers from Oxford University, England, The Karolinska Institute, Sweden and Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, involved 2,200 female patients between 1958 and 2001 but did not include any men. 


Ischemic heart disease is characterized when there is restriction in the blood supply to tissue of the heart muscle.  Of the general population, ischemia is more common among men, people with close relatives with ischemic heart disease, individuals with high cholesterol levels, regular smokers, diabetes, and/or hypertension (high blood pressure).  The risk of developing ischemic heart disease is higher with receiving radiation therapy when these other health factors exist.

The researchers used data from radiotherapy charts and medical records to approximate the mean radiation dosage to the heart.  In addition, they examined data of each woman’s heart disease risk factors as well as their medical histories. 

The team found a clear association between the radiation dose and ischemic heart disease later in life, although they feel that it is still small.  If you received or need to receive radiation therapy and your risks include angina, chronic obstructive lung disorder, diabetes, obesity, smoker or other heart disease, speak with your doctor to see how you can support or make changes to your overall health.

The researchers agree the risk peaked during the first ten years after therapy and then dropped but did still remain higher than normal for at least twenty years.  This information does not mean that every breast cancer patient has a higher risk of heart disease.   A 50-year-old patient who received a 3 Gy heart dose during radiotherapy has a 2.4% chance of dying from ischemic heart disease before she is 80, compared to 1.9% among breast cancer patients of the same age who had no radiation.

This study will hopefully help doctors determine the best ways to treat breast cancer patients for radiation therapy.  The International Journal of Radiation Oncology/Biology/Physics in May of 2007 published a study finding that older breast cancer patients with early stage disease who underwent radiation therapy had no increased risk of a heart attack. 

As in any treatment, it’s important to determine if the risk outweigh the benefits. Hopefully this information will assist all genders.

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you love someone, you’ll check their breast (yes men do have breast) or remind them to do a self-breast exam (see our brochure on the web site for details on how to perform a self breast examination)

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful

Editor; Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-founder

Monday, December 2, 2013

Gift Giving and Save Lives

There’s a day for Mother’s, Father’s, and your boss, a day for honoring our flag, our veterans and our freedom.  There is Black Friday to go shopping, Cyber Monday to shop on line and so why not have a day for giving?  Welcome Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday that follows Thanksgiving!

There are so many ways that you can help HIS Breast Cancer Awareness with your donations so let us share some suggestions from  donations HIS BCA will receive when you shop on line, sending your holiday wishes, or just meeting your end of the year charitable tax deductions.

First, if you’re shopping on amazon this holiday or all year long, first go to smile.amazon.com and choose from the list or search to select HIS Breast Cancer Awareness as your charity of choice.  Every time you shop on smile.amazon.com a donation will be made to us- it’s that easy! You shop, save and HIS BCA is rewarded.

If you’re out of ideas on what to get or even IF you should be buying someone a present, donation cards with your wishes makes the perfect and most thoughtful gift. You can order one that we’ll mail for you or purchase a pack of 10 cards. In addition to the holidays, you can keep them on hand all year long to honor a birthday, send get well wishes, or offer a note of congratulations. You make the acknowledgement, and the receiver appreciates your kindness and learns that male breast cancer does exist; you might just even save a life with awareness! To order one or purchase a pack, visit the SHOP page on the web site as well as view other awareness products here; http://hisbreastcancer.org/shop.html 


If you like to wait to the end of the year to choose your charities and make your donations then please consider a donation to HIS Breast Cancer Awareness.  Your donations no matter how big or small assist with offering insight, education and awareness of Male Breast Cancer and can be made directly on the web site.  

Another great place to make a donation this year is a documentary in the makings that we are involved with. Please visit the kickstarter.com web site here and support the documentary Pink&Blue.  They need your help by Tuesday December 17th to make this happen! View more details and make your donation here; http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/77350478/pink-and-blue-0/posts

In 2014 it is projected that over 2,240 new cases of male breast cancer will be diagnosed and over 400 men will die from the disease.  The percentage fatality rate is often higher for men diagnosed with breast cancer as usually no one is checking and men don’t notice the symptoms as they are not even aware they can be diagnosed with breast cancer.  Men also do not have the options women may with breast conserving surgery and so mastectomy is most often performed due to the limited amount of tissue.  Just imagine hearing the words as a man, or a woman about her father, husband, son or any loved one; Sir, You Have BreastCancer!  Breast cancer doesn’t just affect sisters and daughter’s, breast cancer affects sons and brothers. In addition with the current awareness of the BRCA gene mutation thanks to Angelina Jolie, it’s important to note that 50% of the worlds BRCA (breast cancer susceptibility gene) carriers are male.

HIS BreastCancer Awareness was formed in 2010 as a fully credited nonprofit 501©3 organization to bring education, awareness, prevention and lifestyle assistance to anyone dealing with Male Breast Cancer or having a family member with a history of Breast Cancer.  Vicki and Harvey (co-founders) are both Breast Cancer Survivors and carry the BRCA gene mutation.  Between them they have 5 sons, all who have a 50/50% to be BRCA positive which are also known factors in the cause of Prostate, Pancreatic, Melanoma and Ovarian as well as many other cancers.

We know that we have already saved men’s lives, and with your support we can reach so many more!
Please consider choosing HIS Breast Cancer Awareness as your charity to give and support this #givingtuesday and through the holidays.
PinkandBlue; $10,000, SIR; $5,000, Prevention; $2500, Insight; $1000,
Lifestyle; $500, Education; $250, Awareness; $100,   MBC(other) $___
Any amount is gratefully accepted and appreciated.

Modah Ani- I am Thankful

Editor; Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-founder

Monday, November 25, 2013

Thanksgivukkah- Thankful For You!

Together we are making a difference with awareness and savings lives and we hope you all feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude. For all of you, we are very thankful.

Often we are on the receiving line of the “thank you”; contacted by men or family members who have found us, found an outlet to share and to know they are not alone with a breast cancer diagnosis. Today however we’d like to take some time to thank those who have helped us to spread awareness of Male Breast Cancer and save lives.

HIS Breast Cancer Awareness was Co-founded in 2009 by Harvey I. Singer and Vicki Singer Wolf because we learned the hard way there is not a great deal of information available on Male Breast Cancer.  When Harvey was diagnosed, the humiliation and stigmas that went along with his diagnosis made dealing with breast cancer as a man, even that much more challenging than the diagnosis alone.  As a three time breast cancer survivor myself, I could guide him, as his sister I was there to support him, however being a male with breast cancer took a whole different level of support and that’s when we vowed to help others.
This year we are thankful for so many people and organizations that have assisted and supported HIS Breast Cancer Awareness, Harvey and myself.  Without them, this organization could not have accomplished all that it has and continues to do.  HIS BCA has been featured in many publications this year including TV, Radio, Internet sites, Newspapers, Print supplements and more and because of this, has helped educate so many. Thank you to;
WHAM 13 Rochester-
WHAM 13 Rochester on Male Mammogram -
Everyday Health Video 1-
Everyday Health Video 2-
The Pottstown Mercury (and their family of newspapers)
Tampa Live Fox 13-
KCAL-CBS LA
Rochester 10NBC News WHEC
aol.com-
Chef Works-
Alan Blassberg, Pink & Blue Documentary-
Championship  LLC- http://www.champbilliards.com/
LuckyVitamin.com - http://www.luckyvitamin.com/
Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey - http://www.jewishsouthjersey.org/
Homer Group Printing - http://www.homergroup.com/
Alan Bassman- Bassman, Laserow, Adelman  Weiss, P.C. - http://www.bassman.com/
Nixon Peabody Law Firm-Jeans for BCA - http://www.nixonpeabody.com/
Wegman's Food Market- http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HomepageView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&langId=-1&clear=true

We also want to thank those of you have been our guest writers, who have journaled of your experiences and shared them with our readers so others can gain knowledge from you. We welcome others to share their story or join our Forum for more conversations as these greatly assist so many.  Along with the social media groups we want to thank our facebook and twitter followers who not only ‘like’ what they read but “share” it as well which expands our reach of information. Please continue to share our post. 

Along with the many opportunities we have been presented with this year, we are very excited about the opportunity to be involved with a documentary on BRCA 1&2 mutation and how it contributes to breast cancer in both men and women. Pink& Blue is a documentary in the making that needs your support. Please visit Kickstarter to help fund this project and bring it to fruition. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/77350478/pink-and-blue-0

Of course we could not have accomplished any of this without the support of our wonderful Medical Advisory Board,  families and friends. Harvey has been married for 34 years to his amazing wife Donna and has two wonderful sons (my nephews) Matthew and Jameson. Extra thanks to Matt for choosing HIS BCA as his sports team charity of choice- they took first place and HIS was a receiver of a nice check!  I have been married for 34 years to my husband Gary and have been blessed with 3 sons Samuel (his wife Melissa), Sean and Jeremy along with my future daughter in Melissa (yes I’ll have two Melissa’s!). All of them are not only understanding of our health needs, but have all added to the development and growth of HIS Breast Cancer Awareness in one way or another.  I want to thank my son Sam who is the creator of our informative web site and for all he does to help maintain it.  I can’t thank him enough for his guidance as without him, HIS could not reach so many people in such an informative way.
Our mother Libby (now 88 years old) and our Aunt Ruth (no 98) both are breast cancer survivors and the foundation for our being.  We are very thankful for their good health, their great support (plus their baking!) and are our biggest advocates! I also want to thank my daughter in law’s mother Janie (MJ) who has been a great help for HIS this year assisting us on projects and our accomplishments. We truly appreciate the donations made and the emotional support by our friends and family!

HIS Breast Cancer Awareness relies on donations to help with education and awareness.  Before this year comes to a close, please consider making a donation or purchasing donation cards in honor, in memory of someone you care about or a great way to send your Happy Holiday wishes. You can also purchase a gift for the holidays of our just released book by co-founder Harvey called Sir,You Have Breast Cancer!  As well as other great awareness products. Click here to SHOP or Donate; http://hisbreastcancer.org/shop.html
HIS Breast Cancer Awareness is a registered 501©3 organization and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.  HIS Breast Cancer Awareness acknowledges all donations by email or mail, with a tax receipt to the provided address.

This is a very special Thanksgiving as it also combines the Chanukah holiday. This event only takes places once every 100 years so it is likely most of us will never experience this again.
Especially during this Thanksgivukkah holiday; Modah Ani – I/We are VERY THANKFUL

Editor, Co-founder; Vicki Singer Wolf

Monday, November 4, 2013

Movember for Men's Health

“Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair
Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen
Give me down to there, hair, shoulder length or longer
Here baby, there, momma, everywhere, daddy, daddy...”

During November each year, “Movember“is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world to bring awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Most of the funding is for the promotion and awareness of Prostate and Testicular Cancers however this is another way we can help spread the awareness for Male Breast Cancer!

Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.9 Million “Mo Bros and Mo Sistas” to participate with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

Movember works to change and improve the habits and attitudes men have about their health in addition to educating them about their health risk; education like the recent findings related to the benefits of men taking a multi vitamin daily being diagnosed with 8% fewer cancers.   Without education, we cannot act on the knowledge and especially regarding Male Breast Cancer as most men are not aware they can be diagnosed with this disease, unlike Prostate and Testicular cancers.

So take that clean shaven face, or semi started facial hair and now’s your chance (excuse) to try out that mustache for a great cause!  When asked why you are “changing your look”, you can explain your cause for education, awareness and survivorship. In 2011, over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world got on board, raising $126.3 million USD.  In addition to educating others, they can also make a donation in honor of your month long growth to either Movember or directly to HIS Breast Cancer Awareness. For HIS donation information visit us on line at; http://hisbreastcancer.org/donate.html This month- show your face for the cause and all men's health issues.
“Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow, my hair”

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful
Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-Founder, Editor

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Pumpkins abound- and they’re healthy!


Happy Halloween! Let’s make great use of all those pumpkins!
What a wonderful time of year it is- Fall! With Halloween in the air and Thanksgiving on the way we are surrounded by pumpkins everywhere! From carved pumpkins that are scary, funny, pretty or relay messages (i.e. my son and future daughter in law's countdown and wedding date) we love seeing them all!


In addition to the emotional side –going to the pumpkin patch, the fun of carving or the family working on it together that pumpkins offer, it’s most important to note pumpkin is healthy for you too! Pumpkin as an anti-cancer food is often forgotten about most of the rest of the year.  So what makes pumpkin help fight breast cancer?

First, pumpkin seeds contains Phytoestrogens; a plant compound that acts like the human estrogen. These can help prevent breast cancer by binding to estrogen receptors to assist by inhibiting the estrogen effects according to a study.  Many breast cancers are caused by and feed from estrogen, even male breast cancer.

The Beta-carotene content of pumpkin is converted in the body into Vitamin A which is another form of Antioxidant. These antioxidants help to protect the body against free radicals which can cause cancer. One cup of pumpkin can deliver 17mg of beta carotene, making it one of the highest sources.

Fiber has been shown to be a necessary component for lowering the risk of developing breast cancer when comparing those who consume the most to those who ate the least. Pumpkin is considered a good source of fiber.

Pumpkin is also considered to be low calorie. There are several studies out that do support a lower calorie diet with a lower incidence of breast cancer.  Most of us know already that obesity plays on a large concern of overall good health. It’s important to not “feed” the cancer cells, which is why a diet higher in vegetables, fruits and low glycemic foods are so important. “Contrary to normal cells, most malignant cells depend on steady glucose availability in the blood for their energy.” “Cancer cells thrive on glucose and starve on fats and ketones, which are food-derived energy units that are plentiful in low-carbohydrate diets.”


Whatever your recipe of choice is, fresh pumpkin can have enormous benefits! So if you choose to make your grandmother’s famous pie, add it to your smoothie (yummy!), or puree it and freeze it for a host of different recipes, pumpkins are more than just fun, they’re scary good for you too

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful
Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-Founder, Editor

Monday, October 14, 2013

Blog Action Day- Human Rights

Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate, Neither Should Anyone Else! #HumanRights, #Oct16
It’s expected over 2,000 new cases of Male Breast Cancer will be diagnosed with almost 500 men who will die from this disease. Yet, men may be denied insurance coverage for treatment and preventative measures simply because they are not women. Equality for breast cancer prevention and treatment is essential!

In relation to human rights #BAD13 regarding one’s health, we would hope that we are all eligible and have the opportunity to receive the highest level of physical and mental health standards that exist. Unfortunately when it comes to Male Breast Cancer, this is not always the case. To deny coverage on the grounds of gender is outright cruel.

So how would you feel as a man if you didn’t even know you were at risk for developing breast cancer? Should it matter to men if their mother, sister, aunts had breast cancer? Do men even have breast?  Yes they do! And who is checking for prevention or worse, a diagnosis? When you visit your doctor for your yearly physical (which hopefully you are and have some insurance to assist with this) and they are aware of your family history and risks, and they don’t check you for breast cancer, how does this make you feel? As a male especially if you are at a higher risk, you have the right to receive examinations and even mammograms or breast MRI’s. But most insurance companies don’t see it that way.

To date, there are still arguments over what age a female should begin to receive a mammogram, even if she is at a higher risk due to family genetics, etc. Should women receive routine mammograms starting at 50 years of age? 40? 35? I had my first baseline mammogram at 35 because I have a maternal aunt that had breast cancer. Fortunately for me, my annual mammogram a year later, assisted with early detection of breast cancer. If I had waited till I was 40 or 50- who knows if I would even be alive today!

Having sons with a family history of BRCA, breast and prostate cancer diagnosis, I don’t want them to have to wait until they feel something to get their first mammogram, however, insurance companies don’t necessarily feel the way I do.

And what happens when you’re a man and you might have breast cancer? You fill out the forms as if you were a woman; could you be pregnant? , when was your last menstrual cycle?  How old were you when you began to menstruate? Men with breast cancer should not be made to feel as though they have a stigma. Unfortunately there is not enough research for men with breast cancer and so they are treated "like a woman". Breast Cancer is a disease that affects both men and women, and for human health rights, they should be treated respectively as their bodies do have breast and they both have hormones that have an affect and are affected with the diagnosis. 

Changes need to be made, updates need to happen. Let’s begin recognizing that breast cancer is not just a women’s disease so we can all be treated equally. 
WHO Constitution: "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being..."

Please, share this with your physicians and care takers so we can all be treated equally, preventatively and continue in good health. Visit HIS Breast Cancer Awareness at www.hisbreastcancer.org for more detailed information on male breast cancer

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful
Editor: Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-founder