Hi again! Today is officially Day 2 of the Conference, but it’s the first full day. We started with a plenary about breast cancer and the media featuring Dr. Nancy Snyderman, from NBC’s Today Show and Gary Schwitzer, publisher of www.healthnewsreview.org.  With so much scientific information about breast cancer in the media, sometimes even I have a hard time distinguishing between the facts and the hype.  I love that www.healthnewsreview.org has a team of doctors and scientists who review and grade daily news articles on 10 specific criteria.  If you’re looking for unbiased, scientifically sound information about medical topics, check it out.

My favorite workshop of the day was on Breast Cancer Treatment: New and Emerging Therapies.  It was during this session when it occurred to me that one strong theme running through the conference is that less is more.  As our knowledge of breast cancer biology increases we are better able to target specific receptors, proteins, hormones, etc., and theoretically leave healthy cells alone.  Over the years treatments have become less toxic and less invasive, yet equally or more effective.  The same concept applies to mammography.  Increases in screening have found more small tumors which is good if the cancer is aggressive, but we are learning that some small tumors will never progress or cause any harm.  Unfortunately we haven’t yet found a reliable method for predicting which is which, but being the winner of the anti-cancer trifecta (chemo, surgery, radiation), I can tell you that you don’t want to go through it if you don’t have to.

If you want to test your knowledge about breast cancer, check out http://takeaction.stopbreastcancer.org/site/PageNavigator/31MythsAndTruths

Greetings from Washington DC and the NBCC Advocacy Training Conference!

Today was the first day of the conference. It began with a Lobby Day briefing.  When I go to Capitol Hill on Tuesday I will be advocating for the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s 2010 legislative priorities:  1) Guaranteed Access to Quality Health Care for ALL and 2) Continued funding ($150 million to be exact) for the Department of Defense’s Breast Cancer Research Program in fiscal year 2011.

The first plenary session featured Dr. Susan Love, Dr. Barnett Kramer from NIH, Dr. Oiopade from the University of Chicago, and Maria Wetzel of the Michigan Breast Cancer Coalition, moderated by Gardiner Harris from the New York Times.  Did you know that Dr. Love’s Army of Women has over 330,000 members to date and 80% of them are NOT breast cancer survivors?  The Army of Women is facilitating studies for researchers looking into quality of life issues for survivors and the cause of breast cancer.  Check out www.armyofwomen.org to see if you are eligible for any studies that will help us prevent breast cancer.

I’m meeting hundreds of other breast cancer advocates from around the country who are here for the best advocacy training. We’re all getting geared up to bring our message (and all that we’ve learned) to Capitol Hill on Tuesday at NBCC’s Lobby Day.

As I attend more plenary sessions and workshops, I’ll share more information with you!

In the meantime, if you’re looking for evidence based info on breast cancer, check out:  www.knowbreastcancer.org

Tomorrow I’ll be on my way to NBCC’s Advocacy Training Conference to learn more about being a better breast cancer advocate.

I’m looking forward to hearing the latest breast cancer research from leading scientists and then sharing that with you. I can also report back on breast cancer and the media, health care reform, and effective advocacy strategies.

I want to send you relevant info you can use in your community. What do you most want to know about? Let me know if there are particular questions you’d like to see addressed by the speakers.

The full program is available on the Conference website at TakeAction.StopBreastCancer.org/Conference.

More soon!

P.S.  If you haven’t had a chance to officially sign up for my E-Advocacy network you can do so here:  http://takeaction.stopbreastcancer.org/goto/drsueannmark Please sign-up by Tuesday, May 25, to be counted among those I represent on Lobby Day.

Dear friends,

Stand with me at the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Training Conference.

I am going to send updates from the Conference, May 22-25. I’m excited about the opportunity to meet fellow advocates, learn the latest science and research and get tips on how to build a strong advocacy network.

I promise to give you the inside scoop from the sessions I attend. One of the best reasons to join is that you’ll be counted among the people I represent when we go to Congress on the final day of the conference - Lobby Day - to let our representatives know how important ending breast cancer is to me.

Network supporters will also be eligible to receive exclusive conference-related content only for participants in “Stand with Me. Peel Back the Pink,” including updates on the latest science & research in breast cancer from leaders like Dr. Susan Love; learning how to improve your breast cancer advocacy efforts by understanding how Congress works and using the web and new media to achieve your goals; and reviewing presentations about topics like “Pregnancy & Breast Cancer”, “Complementary & Alternative Medicine” and “What Does Health Care Reform Mean for You?”

If I recruit the most members in my conference network, I’ll win a full scholarship to next year’s conference!

May I count on your support? The deadline for joining my network is May 25, 2010. Use this link to sign up: http://takeaction.stopbreastcancer.org/goto/drsueannmark

Thank you & don’t forget to share!

You gotta love Kathy Griffin.  Well, maybe you don’t have to love her, but you do have to give her props for promoting cervical cancer screenings with a public Pap smear.  By going public with such a private, intimate medical exam, one that most women dread, she’s proving that Pap’s don’t have to be so scary.  To the contrary, regular Pap screenings are an important part of health care for anyone with a cervix and with one swipe you can rest assured that you are cancer free or begin taking action against stupid cancer.  It’s the same old mantra, early detection saves lives.

The campaign is reminiscent of Annie Sprinkle’s “Public Cervix Announcement” where interested audience members where given the unique opportunity to see an actual cervix, the portal to the uterus whence we all came, in a living, breathing human being.  Now that’s the kind of bold humanity I can get behind.

Tasteful pics of Kathy’s big event can be found on The Huffington Post.

When was your last Pap Smear?

No, not that “c” word, I’m talking about cancer.  Dr. Mark has been bringing sex out of the cancer closet since 2006 and she can be heard on The Stupid Cancer Show on Monday, March 1!

The Stupid Cancer Show is the voice of young adults affected by cancer. Unlike every other age group, this is about a generation of millions (aged 15-39) for whom there has been zero improvement in survival rates since Nixon. This is not OK! Hosted by young adult survivors Lisa Bernhard — acclaimed journalist and former Entertainment Correspondent for the Fox News Channel and Deputy Editor of TV Guide — and i[2]y Founder/CEO Matthew Zachary, we are challenging the status quo and demanding change from the establishment. It’s time. It’s our time. It’s about time. Stupid cancer. Survivors rule.

I am pleased to announce the first STEPS™: Sexual Transformation & Empowerment Program for Survivors workshop of 2010!  For the first time the workshop will welcome male and female survivors of any cancer type.  We may have different body parts, but we’ve all been through cancer of one type or another and we all want to find our way to a happy, healthy post-cancer sex life.

This is what one STEPS™ participant had to say about her experience:

“I have always had issues around my sexuality. The STEPS program seemed like a gift that fell from the sky.  Discussing my sexuality fears, insecurities, desires and attitudes felt incredibly safe - both with Sueann and with my fellow participants.  I recommend this program to anyone who is struggling with their mojo post cancer!”

Space is limited, RSVP to info@drsueannmark.com today!

Get your mojo back after cancer!

Yet another chance to listen to Dr. Mark giving the her own brand of shame-free sex information on The Stupid Cancer Show; Monday, June 8, from 6-7pm Pacific.  The Stupid Cancer Show is the voice of young adults with cancer and Monday’s episode is all about sex!  For more information check out:  http://stupidcancershow.com

Cancer sucks.  Survivors rule!

Beyond the hot flashes and sleepless nights, for some women menopause threatens the end of sexual satisfaction.  It is true that once the ovaries stop producing estrogen a woman’s sexual and reproductive anatomy goes through some pretty big changes.  And while menopausal symptoms vary from woman to woman, most will experience some degree of vaginal dryness, decreased desire, difficulty achieving orgasm, dulled orgasmic sensations, and possibly even vaginal atrophy.  Luckily you don’t have to suffer or just give up on sex.  There is no one magic bullet that will “fix” your post-menopausal sex life, however, there are several different ways in which to tackle the problem and an integrated approach may be the most prudent one.  I recommend you consider all of your options and choose the best combination for you.

While traditional hormone replacement therapy has fallen out of vogue, due to an increased risk of breast cancer, there are other hormonal treatments available.  Some women, in consultation with their doctor, use a vaginal ring that releases a small amount of estrogen directly into the vaginal tissues.  Similarly, other women may choose to use a cream that contains either estrogen or testosterone.  These products help with lubrication, sensation, desire and the overall health of the vagina.  There are also various herbs that can be used in consultation with an herbalist or doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.  As with all medications, these treatments may not be safe for all women, especially those with a history of hormone-dependent cancer.  But fear not my survivor sisters, there is research underway to determine the safety of some hormonal treatments for us so this story is to be continued.

Of course, we don’t have to rely soley on drugs and doctors to maintain our sex lives.  Remember sex is a “use it or lose it” type activity.  The more sexual you are on a regular basis, solo or with a partner, the healthier and more repsonsive your body will be.  Try Kegel exercises to encourage blood flow to the genitals and increase sensation.  Regular vibrator use will also help with blood flow to the clitoris.  If you’re feeling dry, use a good lube (avoid oil based lubes if you are using condoms).  I recommend getting a sampler pack from someplace like Good Vibrations so you can try different brands and find the one you like the best.  You can increase your desire for sex by reading erotica or watching porn.

Just remember, you deserve sexual pleasure, so don’t give it up without a fight!

We’ve all heard it before, it seems like the cure for everything is exercise.  From an evolutionary perspective it makes sense.  Our ancestors were way more active in their daily lives than we are with our cars, TV’s and internet.  Our bodies were designed to move and when we don’t we are rewarded with dis-ease.  Even the World Cancer Research Fund has recently declared that “clean living,” specifically exercise, will dramatically reduce cancer rates around the world.  I agree, for the most part, but must point out that the majority survivors I know, myself included, led healthy lifestyles prior to cancer.  Cancer does not always follow our rules, but there’s another very good reason to exercise - great sex!

Exercise improves your mood, makes your body look hot which makes you feel sexy, helps you sleep so you’re not too tired to have sex and improves your cardiovascular health making it easier for blood to flow into your genitals during arousal which is vital for erections and yummy sensations.  Plus, couples who exercise together tend to stay together.

If you are resistant to exercise, for whatever reason, try living an active lifestyle.  You don’t necessarily have to go to a gym, you can take the stairs instead of the elevator, bike to work instead of driving, go for a walk or do yoga, anything that will get your body moving will help.  Even doing housework counts as exercise.

On the flip side, sex is great exercise especially when it gets your heart rate up.  Exercise for great sex, have sex for exercise, it’s all good!