JASON Natural Cosmetics' Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit (Be Prepared, Not Scared!)

Introduction

Ladies, along with all the privileges and pleasures of being a woman is the responsibility for looking after our unique health needs. Perhaps THE best preventive maintenance we can do for ourselves is breast self-examination.

JASON Natural Cosmetics makes a wonderful Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit that makes this monthly examination a breeze. The kit contains a 4-oz. jar of Breast Self-Examination Moisturizing Crme, a breast self-examination recording booklet (containing all kinds of useful information about detecting early indications of breast cancer), a "How to do" breast self-exam chart (it's made so that you can peel off the backing and stick it to either mirror, glass, or tile for easy reference), and a .5 oz. jar of Little Buddie Breast Comforting Crme.

The moisturizing crme makes it easy to self-examine, and the natural ingredients are wonderful for the skin. The comforting crme cools, soothes, and comforts breast tenderness, and is safe for the nipple area as well. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are starting early this year to remind all women 20 years old and over to perform a Breast Self Examination (BSE) every month. Women over 40 and over should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) by a doctor or qualified nurse every year. And let's not forget about those yearly mammograms! The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, radiologists provide discounted or free screening mammograms. In 1999, more than 2,200 American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited facilities took part. In 2001, National Mammography Day will be celebrated on October 19.

For more information, you may contact the following resources: American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (800) 462-9273 National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO) (888) 80-NABCO Y-me National Breast Cancer Organization (800) 221-2141 Please take a moment and read OK, So What IS Mammography? at the end of this article.

Words From The Heart

As of June 2001, my own mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Her bouts with it were 10 years apart, and she had a total mastectomy each time. That first lump was detected by a mammogram; don't be fooled into thinking that, if you don't feel a lump, you don't have one. My mother was fortunate in that there was no lymph node involvement either time, and she has been cancer-free for years now. A longtime friend of mine, Nancy, was not as fortunate. She was a year younger than me, and she died of breast cancer, leaving behind a young daughter and a husband. My mother has the best attitude regarding breast cancer. She elected not to have reconstructive surgery, feeling that it was healthier and easier for her to get prostheses instead. After receiving something like 17 bouquets of flowers while being hospitalized for her last mastectomy, she remarked, "All this fuss over a breast! Big deal-it's not like you see out of it or walk on it!" Breasts do not define the woman; it is the woman's spirit that defines the woman. Today at 69, my mother is healthy, attractive, active, and involved. She has come a long way from a being cancer patient to being a strong and upbeat example to others suffering with the same disease. Mom gives hope to those who feel that there is no light beyond their diagnosis; she stands as proof positive that there is indeed life, and a good one, after cancer. She and my father (76) put the term "Golden Agers" to shame-they ballroom dance regularly, run a photography business, enjoy vacationing, travel, and good time with friends; additionally, my mom is the other half of Folie a Deux, a small jewelry-making business that she and I started.

How I Tested Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit

Needless to say, because of my mother's history, I have a mammogram every year, and recently underwent surgery for my second biopsy (thankfully, negative). I had not been doing the breast self-examination as religiously as I should, so I started using the kit. As easy as it is for many women to examine themselves in the shower or bath, I always seem to have another agenda on the front burner that keeps me from lingering. So a kit like this one works better for me. When I used the moisturizing crme (You only need to use about a quarter-sized amount), it was easy for me to slide my fingers all around the breast area. I kept checking the chart to be sure I wasn't missing anything. I also have regular breast tenderness, and I used a tiny amount of the Little Buddie crme-it really does work; it soothes and cools! I plan to make this kit part of my monthly routine. Even having the yearly mammogram does not make up for NOT performing a BSE each and every month. The crmes are silky and pleasant to the touch, and fresh herbal fragrances are comforting to the senses.

Ingredients: BSE Crme

Purified soft water, soybean extract, glyceryl stearate, aloe vera gel, PEG 100 stearate, glycerin, dimethicone, caprylic/capric triglycerides, potassium carbomer, steareth 2, flax seed oil, allantoin (comfrey), lycopene (tomatoes), soy isoflavonoids, omega 3 fatty acids, alphabisabolol (chamomile), beta carotene, black cohosh, calendula extract (marigold), sea kelp extract, avocado oil, curcumin, kukui nut oil, almond oil, dandelion extract, burdock extract, nori extract, wakami extract, macadamia nut oil, asparagus extract, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben.

Ingredients: Little Buddie Crme

Purified soft water, soybean extract, glyceryl stearate, aloe vera gel, PEG 100 stearate, glycerin, dimethicone, caprylic/capric triglycerides, potassium carbomer, steareth 2, flax seed oil, allantoin (comfrey), lycopene (tomatoes), soy isoflavonoids, omega 3 fatty acids, alphabisabolol (chamomile), apricot oil, black cohosh, bryonia extract, coniummacutatom, poke root poultice, cucumber extract, red clover extract, asparagus extract, chickweed extract, hawthorn berry extract, fever few extract, calendula extract (marigold), sea kelp extract, avocado oil, curcumin, kukui nut oil, almond oil, dandelion extract, burdock extract, nori extract, wakami extract, macadamia nut oil, asparagus extract, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben. Special Notice: JASON Donations on the Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit As part of JASON Natural Cosmetics Women's Health Awareness Program, they donate $1.00 for each jar purchased to these charities:

• American Cancer Society
• Susan G-Komen Breast Care Foundation
• The Wellness Community

The kit comes with a loop of pink ribbon attached to a safety pin that you can wear to remind yourself and others about breast cancer awareness.

Conclusion

In my opinion, JASON Natural Cosmetics' Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit should be part of every woman's routine. This kit makes it easy to understand and self-examine, and the crmes used in the kit are of the highest quality and purity. I encourage all women reading this article to learn all you can about breast cancer, to self-examine, and to get regular mammograms. Knowledge is power!

Jane's Rating

On my own scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, I give JASON Natural Cosmetics' Bosom Buddies Breast Self-Examination Kit an 11.

OK, So What Is Mammography?

Mammography is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to provide a picture of the internal structure of the breast. The X-rays can show very small lesions before they can be found by any other method, including breast self-examination. There are two kinds of mammograms - diagnostic and screening. Although the procedure is the same for both, the reasons for having them are different.

Diagnostic mammograms are requested by a doctor when there is a suspicion of breast cancer. This suspicion could come from the discovery of a lump in the breast after self- examination or medical examination.

Screening mammograms look for breast cancer when there are no signs or symptoms that suggest its presence. These routine breast X-rays are usually recommended by family doctors along with regular general physical examinations for women who are aged 50 to 69.

The recommendation for most women in this age group is to have a screening mammogram every two years. A screening mammogram may also be recommended for women with a family history (mother, sisters) of breast cancer. This family history may indicate that there is a several fold increased likelihood of developing breast cancer.

What are the Chances of a Woman Getting Breast Cancer as She Ages?

By age 30...1 out of 2,525 By age 40...1 out of 217 By age 50...1 out of 50 By age 60...1 out of 24 By age 70...1 out of 14 By age 80...1 out of 10 (Source: NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program & American Cancer Society, 1993.)

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