Wishing Belinda a speedy recovery

When my better half and I first heard that Belinda Stronach (MP for Newmarket-Aurora, and CEO of Magna International) is recovering from breast cancer surgery (mastectomy and breast reconstruction), our hearts and best wishes immediately went out to her and her families and friends. We would like to wish Belinda a speedy recovery. (see news from CBC, CTV, TorStar, G & M)

Belinda said it right in May 2007, “Canada needs a National Cancer Prevention Strategy. Knowledge is power – greater awareness and testing is needed. [I'd like to see] Stephen Harper and George W. Bush [in the shirt] – they control access to money and support for cancer research and prevention.“

Breast cancer is a disease that not only strikes women of all ages (the mothers, daughters, wives, girl friends, friends), the men in all these relationships are also deeply affected as well. For example, this important connection was clear for all to see when I saw the thousands of men walked hand in hand with women of all ages at the 2006 CIBC Run for the Cure by Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in Calgary.

I don’t know how best to strike the right tone to talk about Breast Self Exam so I will start on a humourous note and then move on to the serious ones. Remember, the sooner Breast Cancer is caught, the better the survival rate. Ladies, think not just 50s or 60s, but 40s or even mid to late 30s. For me, if one lady benefit from my message here, I would have done my duty and be very happy.

A humourous ad by the Breast Cancer Society of Canada to encourage the practice of monthly Breast Self Exam.

Here is video of how to perform a Breast Self Exam. Note: For those men or boys that want to make inappropriate comments about this video, I am sure your urge will subside when you recognize your mothers, daughters, wives, girl friends, female friends, all have the same risk for this horrible disease. And men are not immune from breast cancer either (although the risk is much lower).

note: since I included this video, I have to point out that one should beware of all the unchecked claims of medical supplements like those advertised in the “.com.au” ad on the video. Believe it or not, there are businesses that try to make money out of people’s misery and at the moment of crises.

Here are some more serious info and diagrams with instructions from the US & Canada. Here is a discussion on latest cancer research in general. Here is the latest on stem cell research (which can positively impact cancer research).

Now, lets hope to see Prime Minister Harper (and may be even President Bush) say and do the right thing about cancer research.