Robin Roberts is recovering nicely from her breast cancer surgery last Friday. She says she feels quite sore but believes that much of her success came from the many thoughts and prayers from fans everywhere.

The Good Morning America host recently announced her breast cancer on the air after discovering a lump in her breast last month. She hoped that by going public with her diagnosis more women would be inspired to perform monthly self check on themselves.

Roberts is currently at home with her family while she recovers from her surgery. She will soon receive test results that will determine the rest of her treatment, but she remains hopeful and optimistic that she will soon be back at work in America's living rooms.

While State University of New York at Buffalo researchers are building the breathalyzer device, a pocket-sized portable chemical sensor that will test a person's breath to detect cancer -- a team of researchers at the University of Michigan have won a Breast Cancer Research Program Idea award to develop a portable device to test breath for the presence of metabolites associated with breast cancer. Previous studies have proven human breath from the body changes when disease is present.

The University of Michigan researchers explain that their inexpensive, early detection device will test breath for metabolites in the breath associated with breast cancer. In general, this idea seems to be gaining a good deal of attention, with more than one research facility working on its practical development, and I except one day we will see these over-the-counter devices available to the public. This type of innovation certainly deserves an award.

April is National Cancer Control Month, designated to recognize the increased understanding about cancer, research advances made in the treatments for cancer, and in raising awareness and education for early detection and cancer prevention. Cancer is an umbrella term for more than 100 diseases. Cancer is characterized by an unrestrained, out of control, abnormal growth of cells that can spread locally or be transported through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Early detection is essential for improved survival of patients diagnosed with cancer. The seven warning signs of cancer are: change in bowel or bladder habits; a sore that does not heal; unusual bleeding or discharge; thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere; indigestion or difficulty in swallowing; change in a mole or wart; and nagging cough or hoarseness. In the earliest stage of cancer, there are often no symptoms. Getting annual cancer screenings for the earliest detection of cancer can make a significant difference in survival outcome. Cancer prevention involves reducing the risks that can lead to the development of cancer. Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors all play a part in the development of cancer.

To date, the primary focus has been on early detection and treatment. The success of that focus is in the nearly 10 million cancer survivors living today. But despite the technological advances and increased public awareness, education and early screening, cancer is still the second leading cause of death in this country. According to the National Cancer Institute, at the current projected rates of cancer, one out of two men and one out of three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Three out of four American families will have at least one family member diagnosed with cancer. The key to controlling and defeating cancer is to become more aggressive in funding and focus of the ways we can prevent cancer.   

At Lemonland, visit the Bureau of Investigation, board the Lemonland Express, and take a tour of the neighborhood looking for 'bad seeds.' Drop by the Department of Defense, where they vigilantly protect the borders of truth. Ask directions at Lemonland Travel & Tourism to local health resources where you live. If you want to talk to the Mayor, her office is always open.

Lemonland, created by Corrine Ellsworth, M.F.A, is a whimsical, eye-catching approach to the very serious issues of prevention education, early detection, and diagnosis of breast cancer. Both of Ellsworth's grandmothers died of breast cancer. At 21, she decided she needed to find out how to protect herself from breast cancer. The resources she found did not appeal to her. Ellsworth felt there was a better way to present the information.

Ellsworth created and designed Lemonland after talking to patients, technicians and physicians. She watched the dynamics of interaction between women and their health care providers. She consults with a breast cancer oncologist to insure the information is accurate. Ellsworth wants to reach those who are less educated, uninterested, afraid or overwhelmed. Lemonland will appeal to a younger audience, when education as prevention is most critical. Ellsworth has used her original talents as an artist and developed a unique method of education.

For the amount of media coverage devoted to cancer, as I noted in a post earlier this week, Americans are still falling short when it comes to preventative care. In reaction to this revelation, the American Cancer Society, ACS, has issued a new set of early detection guidelines aimed to deliver more awareness to the general public. Early detection is a key factor when dealing with cancer survival, and yet,  many people are not seeking the annual care. This year's guidelines cover breast, prostate, colon, rectum, cervix, and endometrial cancers.  Currently, the most widely used preventative measure is an annual Pap smear. However, less than 60% of women over age 40 have an annual mammogram, and just 50% of men 50 and older receive yearly digital rectal exams to screen for prostate cancer. To read more specifics, please click here.

I am very fond of canines, all breeds. I am of course partial to my dog, Barkleigh, she is an Australian Cattledog. I am sure she could sniff out the significant odor given off by the chemicals in cancer cells. After a brief training dogs are able to detect cancer, even in early stages. The dogs received an accuracy rating of 88 to 99 percent and weren't thrown off by cigarette smoke on the breath of the participants of the study. California scientists believe this could be another way of "dognosis" for early stages of cancer. This is just another reason to praise the dog. It is the year for it. (2006 is the year of the dog)