Barbara Ehrenreich, author, political activist and breast cancer survivor, writes on the "Blame the cancer patient" mentality this week on her blog in a piece titled, "What Causes Cancer: Probably Not You."

Ehrenreich writes about the new study that came out last week about fruits and vegetables not preventing the recurrence of breast cancer:

The perennial temptation to blame disease on sin or at least some grave moral failing just took another hit. A major new study shows that women on a virtuous low fat diet with an extraordinary abundance of fruits and veggies were no less likely to die of breast cancer than women who grazed more freely.

Ehrenreich also criticizes the positive psychology movement, where any health setback can be conquered with optimism, writing that the science here is "shaky at best."

Ehrenreich concludes that "optimism, especially about the validity of the conventional wisdom, can be hazardous. What you need is a narrow-eyed, deeply skeptical attitude."

We're lead to believe that if we eat our fruits and veggies, we should be just fine healthwise. But despite all the antioxidants, fiber and nutrients, a major study recently found that those who consumed a diet high in produce and low in fat fared no better when it came to cancer than those who ate a less healthy diet. This news, to me, is both liberating and disappointing -- on one hand, I don't have to wallow in guilt when I cave to my pizza craving, but on the other, if our diet doesn't have an impact on our chance against cancer, what does? Are we doomed?

Barbara Ehrenreich's blog says the answer might lie in your attitude, and I wholeheartedly agree. Those who are optimistic and determined to beat what ails them have a must better chance of coming out on top. Faith, hope and laughter are what keep us going, even when facing cancer. Do you agree?

It is no secret that our culture has a fascination with celebrities. In attempting to figure out exactly why, I have come to the conclusion it might be no more of a mystery other than they are people we all know in common. As human beings, we are naturally intrigued by other human beings. But if I try to talk to you about my neighbor, and you do not live in my neighborhood, you will have no idea who I am talking about or how to relate information I am sharing about that person because you have no point of reference. However, celebrities are people we all know of -- they become familiar in that we hear about them every day -- we see images of them every day in the news.

Before being diagnosed with breast cancer, a woman might not have paid much attention to breast cancer. Oh yes, the breast cancer awareness campaigns are raising awareness, but we do not really like to spent too much time dwelling on potentially life-threatening events unless we are compelled to do so -- usually with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Over at Silicon Valley Moms Blog, Tekla blogged the top ten things this group of moms have learned since they began blogging seven months ago in Moms boobs and other lessons learned. Interestingly, and unfortunately accurate, number six on the list is:

"6. If you talk about breast cancer, your blog stats go way down for days and days. Everyone knows it's something women need to deal with, but clearly no one wants to read about it."

And so, if you are newly-diagnosed with breast cancer, or know someone who is, and haven't spent much time focused on breast cancer before diagnosis, there are many women we all know in common who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and many of them as breast cancer survivors. In time, you will personally meet other breast cancer survivors and realize you are not alone and be inspired by their hope, strength, courage and companionship. Until then, you can read an extensive list of 100 famous women who have faced breast cancer down and gone on -- here.