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 Each
October, pink ribbons appear at department store check out counters, on
the corner of license plates, as the subject of postage stamps, and
screen printed onto t-shirts across the country. With each pink ribbon I
see, a smile is brought to my face as I am reminded of a dear friend of
mine, Margaret Brothers. Just like thousands of women across the nation,
Margaret battled breast cancer. Known for her quiet determination,
Margaret’s personality became the driving force behind her three-year
fight against breast cancer. Margaret endured what so many other women
also endure each year – doctor appointments, surgical procedures, and
chemotherapy treatments. But Margaret never lost her love of life, her
faith, or her willingness to put others before herself, despite her life
altering condition.
On October 17, 2004, Margaret lost her battle with breast cancer. I will
always remember Margaret’s commitment to remain a mother, a wife, and a
servant to others through it all. Her life is a constant reminder to
find gratitude in each day we are given, despite our circumstances.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to remember
those who are battling breast cancer, those who have survived breast
cancer, and those – like Margaret – who have lost their lives to breast
cancer. It is also a time to increase awareness of the disease and a hope
for future generations that we might one day find a cure.
One of the primary goals of National Breast Cancer Awareness month is
early detection. Since the start of the awareness program in 1985,
mammography rates have more than doubled for women 50 years of age and
older. As a result, breast cancer deaths have been on the decline. These
are exciting numbers, but there are still thousands of women who do not
take advantage of early detection and others who do not get screening
mammograms or clinical breast exams at regular intervals. In 2007, over
40,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. However, the National
Breast Cancer Awareness organization states that if all women over the
age of the 40 took advantage of early detection methods, breast cancer
death rates among these women could drop up to 30 percent.
Mammography tests are proven to be the most reliable tests in early
detection of breast cancer. Most private insurance plans, as well as
government insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, include regular
mammogram screenings. Free and low-cost mammograms are also available
for women without health insurance. For a list of programs near you,
contact the Centers for Disease Control at (888) 842 – 6355 or the
National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.
There are other lifestyle choices you can make on a regular basis to
help reduce your risk of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer
Awareness organization has provided a list of easy, low-cost steps
towards breast cancer prevention. Taking these preventative steps can
also help prevent against other diseases such as heart disease and
diabetes.
Decrease your fat intake. Eating learner meats, limiting red meat
intake, and avoiding saturated and hydrogenated fats may reduce your
chance of developing breast cancer.
Increase your fiber intake. Fiber is found in whole grains,
vegetables, and fruits, and has been proven a natural combatant against
cancers.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidant properties and
micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables have been proven to help
prevent cancer.
Limit alcohol intake. Some research shows that women who drink
more than two alcoholic drinks a day are at a higher risk of developing
breast cancer.
Stay active. The buildup of excess fat stimulates estrogen
production, which could cause breast cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General
suggests participating in some form of moderate physical activity (such
as a brisk walk) for thirty minutes everyday to help maintain a healthy
body weight.
Don’t smoke. Smoking itself doesn’t directly cause breast cancer,
but it does increase the chance of blood clots, heart disease, and other
cancers that could spread to the breast.
It is important for women and their families to know the facts about
breast cancer and the best methods for early detection and prevention.
National Breast Cancer Awareness month’s website,
www.nbcam.org, has a host of
resources available to women and their families, including a list of
Questions to Ask Your Doctor, general
Breast
Cancer Q&A, a list of
breast cancer
diagnosis and treatment centers, information on
early
detection, and a list of other helpful
free
resources. For additional cancer statistics, visit
www.cancer.gov.
America's Scenic Byways
 One
of my favorite times to experience the beauty of the Commonwealth of
Virginia is in the fall. Scenic landscapes become a breathtaking display
of gold, burnt orange, and maroon, and the crisp autumn air creates an
atmosphere perfect for biking, walking, or picnicking. The natural and
man made vistas across our great Commonwealth create wonderful
opportunities for family adventures, particularly along our National
Scenic Byways.
The National Scenic Byways program, established through the Department
of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, maintains selected
roads across the nation as scenic representations of the depth and
breadth of American scenery. These roads are preserved and enhanced for
archeological, cultural, natural, historic, recreational, and scenic
qualities, and boast some of the most beautiful panoramic views of our
nation.
Virginia holds a number of these byways, including the Blue Ridge
Parkway, the Colonial Parkway, the George Washington Memorial Parkway,
and Skyline Drive. Over the years, these scenic byways have afforded
Virginians and our visitors wonderful opportunities to view the beauty
of our Commonwealth.
During these fall months, I encourage you to plan a trip with your
family or friends to experience one or more of these scenic byways in
Virginia. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) hosts a
user-friendly website that will help you in planning your trip across
Virginia. The site allows you to browse byways located across the nation
and offers the best times to visit those byways. NSBP’s website lists
national parks and recreational activities along each of the byways, as
well as a listing of events along the byway by date.
National Scenic Byways Website
Scenic Byways in
Virginia
Virginia
State Byway Location Map
Calendar
of Scenic Byway Events
America’s Byways
Podcasts
Photo:
© December 2001. Boone Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Blue Ridge Parkway (NC, VA)
Credits: Photo by Judi Scharns |
