In March 2006, doctors gave their colleague Dr. Deb Kimless-Garber a clean bill of health.  After a double mastectomy and the requisite rounds of treatment, Kimless-Garber was officially cured. But she still had to deal with two problems. “Pain and aesthetic,” Kimless-Garber said.  “A lot of women experience something similar to phantom limb pain after a mastectomy.  There’s all of these nerves in the breast, so why wouldn’t they experience pain.” Then, there are the aesthetics. “A reconstructed breast looks very different after a mastectomy,” said Kimless-Garber.  “Any type of breast …

Boston's Gourmet Pizza Restaurant in Allentown and Hosfeld Insurance of Macungie will host the Perfectly Pink Purse Party to raise money for Lehigh  Valley Health Network’s Pink Ribbon Fund. The fund helps women cover household expenses while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. This event will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct.  12 at Boston’s Gourmet Pizza Restaurant, 327 Star Rd., Allentown. It will feature: More than 500 new and gently-used purses for sale 15 percent off purchases donated with a special flyer Goody bags for the first 30 guests Raffles and prizes Representatives …

Full support or light support – breast cancer groups offer up all sizes. Traditional support groups find participants sitting in a circle sharing stories, struggles and advice. But breast cancer patients and survivors can find comfort and help in many ways and in many places, both in person and online. Major breast cancer websites have online discussion groups where people may connect, get tips or share advice for coping with treatments and side effects. Among our favorites: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Support National Breast Cancer Foundation Plenty of information, such as “…

Do it in the shower. Do it while getting ready for bed. Just do it once a month. Get familiar with your breasts. Look for lumps, changes in size, shape or feel, and to see if there is any fluid. All women should know their breasts and surrounding areas so they can be aware of changes, the American Cancer Society recommends. In Pennsylvania, experts predict 10,570 new cases of breast cancer to be diagnosed this year. “I encourage all of you to become an expert about the way your breasts look and feel so you can detect any subtle changes. After all, it’s our body, and we are the ones who have …

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and events and fundraisers are planned across the Lehigh Valley. Breast cancer affects one in eight women at some point during their life. Here's a look at what's coming up: Saturday, Oct. 8 - Fourth Annual Coaches vs. Cancer (CVC) Golf Tournament: At Whitetail Golf Course in Bath. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a cookout and award ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The local event was begun by KyleKern and friends. Golf …