What do young women need to know about breast cancer and health?

29 09 2008

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! So, this month, it’s all about the girls and keeping them healthy.

While most breast cancer cases occur in women over 40 and 50 (77% of women with it are over age 50), breast cancer does occur in young women, especially women of color.

So what do you need to know?

1. The chances of you getting breast cancer increase with age. 1 out 19, 608 women may get it before age 25, but 1 in 8 women will get it in her lifetime.

2. Get to know your breasts! When you turn 20, present yourself with the gift of a breast self-exam. Here’s how to do it…What are you looking for? Well, among other things, a lump or hard knot in your breast or armpit; thickening or swelling of your breast(s); and any breast change that you’re concerned about. If you do see any changes, visit your doctor immediately!

Also, between ages 20-39, you should get a clinical breast exam with your health care professional at least every three years.

3. Know the risk factors of breast cancer. Some things (not all) include: genetics- recent research shows that up to 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary; family history- if your blood-related relatives on either your mother or father’s side of the family have had breast cancer, your’re at an increased risk for the disease.

Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer can double your chances.

Studies also show that if you’re overweight and gained the extra weight as an adult, you’re at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

This is just an overview of some things you should know to keep your breasts healthy. This is by no means a complete list, so you can (and should!) get more info.

http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth101/breasthealth.html

Photo Source: http://www.schemamag.ca/archives/feelboobies.jpg


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Top 10 reasons you should vote

28 09 2008

According to youthnoise.com

10. So you can complain: Nobody wants to hear you complain about something you’re not trying to change

9. It’s your right: duh. And although it’s cliche, your people did fight for your right to vote, so you should exercise it.

8. Representation: take this into consideration- only 13% of Congress members are people of color and 14% are women. Your vote can help change that.

7. Fashion: “I voted” stickers are hot. lol

6. More federal money: more money for programs for issues that disproportionately affect you as a woman of color (i.e., HIV/AIDS, breast cancer research, even environmental issues).

5. To cancel out someone else’s vote: I’m sure you know someone, or lots of someones, who’s going to vote differently than you.

4. To break stereotypes: you already know what they say about “us” and voting.

3. If you don’t vote someone else will: aren’t you tired of all the b.s.?

2. Every vote counts

1. Noise: Same as 10- don’t vote? Don’t complain!!

And don’t forget to register!


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The BIG Read

28 09 2008

On October 16 at 7 p.m., A.A.C. is holding a poetry performance at Blackbird Cafe in downtown, Milledgeville, GA.

The event is being held in conjuction with The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. It gives citizens of a single community the opportunity to choose, read and discuss one book within their communities. Each community event lasts about one month.

This year, GCSU is participating in The Big Read with the book A Lesson Before Dying, and A.A.C.’s performance is based on this book.

According to its website, a 2004 report by the National Endowment for the Arts, found that not only is literary reading in America declining rapidly among all groups, but that the rate of decline has accelerated, especially among the young. As a result, The Big Read “aims to address this crisis squarely and effectively.”

For more information about A.A.C’s poetry performance, contact Paul Grigsby at pagrigsby@gmail.com.

The purpose of A.A.C. is to present the plight of the oppressed, engage inequities that divide us, combat social apathy and to inform and educate all who will listen of the realities that shape our lives. A.A.C. establishes alliances with other artists and throught the mediums of poetry, visual arts, music, drama and self-expression.


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Categories : Press Releases

A.A.C. particpates in first unity conference

28 09 2008
Art as an Agent for Change is participating in its first Unity Conference on October 3, 2008 at GCSU Center for Graduate and Professional Learning in Macon, GA from 10:30 AM-5:30 PM.

The conference will feature workshops on activism and collaboration, and will have poetry concerning activism as well.

As a grassroots organization, A.A.C. wanted to participate in the event like this to inspire other’s efforts in activism and help bring new groups into the field.

The workshop will encourage people to be creative in envisioning what they can do on college campuses and will show them what it took to form such an organization on a college campus.
For more information, contact Paul Grigsby at pagrigsby@gmail.com.

The purpose of A.A.C. is to present the plight of the oppressed, engage inequities that divide us, combat social apathy and to inform and educate all who will listen of the realities that shape our lives. A.A.C. establishes alliances with other artists and throught the mediums of poetry, visual arts, music, drama and self-expression.


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Style? How many of us have it?

27 09 2008

One of my favorite fab diva, Kimora Lee says, “No matter what you’re trying to achieve, style is one of the most powerful ways of branding yourself…and branding is what a great impression is all about.”

And she’s right. I know, I know, clothes don’t (aren’t) suppose to make the (wo)man, but I think she has a point. As much as we might not like to admit it or adhere to it, we are judged on our looks the first time someone meets us, so sometimes, it can be a pretty big deal! But fear not because Ms. Kimora gives us her tips in her “Fabulosity 5-point Manifesto”:
1. Style is a form of self-promotion.
2. Developing a style is like your brandmark; it’ll get you noticed and remembered.
3. Fashion bestows authority and power on the wearer: Dress to impress and you’ll be taken seriously
4. Great style says, ‘Here I am! Pay attention to me! I value myself enought to put effort into this and you should too.’
5. (The most important, in my opinion), Style is individual. Style is subjective. Nobody can grade you on it.

That means no PJs to the grocery store! (unless it’s like ABSOLUTELY necessary). You never know who you might meet or run in to. And having style doesn’t mean wearing the latest trends, what’s “in”, or whatever the hot-celeb-of-the-moment is wearing. Style is about doing you. Of course, you may need a little help getting started, so check out these sites:

www.dailyfashion.com/stylequiz- if you’re not sure what your personal style is, take this quiz
www.thebudgetfashionista.com
www.polyvore.com- here you can create outfits from other websites to see how it would look
www.thebudgetbabe.com
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22- a part of long hair care forum, a forum mainly about hair care for women of color


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Categories : Style