As part of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AOL editor Kelly D. Wilson is blogging Think Pink featuring her Global Survivor Story series. While attending the Avon Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer luncheon and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City, she had the opportunity to meet with and interview breast cancer survivors from around the world as they shared with her personal stories of hope and survivorship.

In Think Pink's Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer photo gallery, meet beautiful, strong and wise global breast cancer survivors Rebecca Musi from South Africa; Skaidra Deksne from Latvia; Dympna Watson from Ireland; Ranjit Kaur from Malaysia; Stephanie Elsen-Ensch from Germany; Keila Frauches de Souza Campos from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Yuthar Mohammed Al Rawahy from Oman; Judy Cherry from the US; Yoko Uchiyama from Japan; and Iva Raskova from the Czech Republic. The slide show photos are wonderful tributes to survivorship and the story each breast cancer survivor shares is inspiring.

Worldwide, and through the month of October, Hard Rock Cafes are hosting the Rocktoberfest to raise money for breast cancer research in finding a cancer cure. During Rocktoberfest, patrons can attend live music events featuring popular and up-and-coming female artists. This year The Go-Go's have joined in promoting breast cancer awareness and in raising research funds to find a cure.

In addition, Hard Rock International is offering Hard Rock's new and exclusive Limited Edition 2006 Breast Cancer Awareness Pin. 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. The pin features an acoustic guitar bearing the pink ribbon symbol for breast cancer, along with the message Stop Breast Cancer for Life. You can purchase a pin at any of the Hard Rock Cafes or online at the Hard Rock Cafe estore.

Rocktoberfest artists performing in U.S. cafes include Alexa Ray Joel, Toby Lightman, The Randies, The Duhks, Liz Berlin, the Thrusters and Slacktone. Overseas, performers include Melanie C, Bonnie Tyler and Keisha White.

Women with advanced breast cancer were found to have lower levels of vitamin D when compared to women with early-stage breast cancer, leading researchers to conclude that vitamin D might play a role in slowing the progression of breast cancer.

Imperial College London researchers are not certain if the lower level of vitamin D found in women with advanced breast cancer is the result of the cancer, or one of the factors promoting the progression of the breast cancer, only that there appears to be a connection.

This adds to the body of knowledge that women living in northern climates, where there is less year-round sun exposure, are more prone to developing breast cancer.

One of the natural ways to get vitamin D is from exposure to sunlight. Also, women can get vitamin D from fortified milk and dairy products, cod liver oil and fatty fish, such as salmon. Previous research has indicated that vitamin D might play a role in the prevention in a number of cancers. For related information into research conclusions regarding vitamin D:

• Fatty fish offers women cancer prevention
• Vitamin D: supplement aids in reducing risk of cancer
• Vitamin D: lack of summer sun increases risk for 16 cancers

According to the results of a survey, cancer patients and caregivers turn to the internet primarily to research treatment options and information about cancer drugs. Of all cancers, breast cancer is the most frequently researched cancer. Of those researching cancer, 33 percent researched breast cancer, 20 percent researched skin cancer, and 18 percent researched colorectal cancer. By percentage of cancers researched, the exact breakdown is:

Breast cancer 34 percent; skin cancer 19 percent; colon/rectal cancer 18 percent; prostate cancer 17 percent; lung cancer 17 percent; ovarian cancer 14 percent; non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 11 percent; pancreatic cancer 6 percent; bladder cancer 6 percent and kidney/renal and pelvis cancers 4 percent.

By percentage, the types of information cancer patients and caregivers searched for were:

Treatment options 70 percent; diagnosis/symptoms of cancer 70 percent; causes of cancer 52 percent; cancer drug-related information 40 percent; information on coping with cancer 38 percent; experiences of people with cancer 33 percent; information on accompanying disorders 31 percent; guidelines for prevention 29 percent; information on support organizations 26 percent and clinical trial information 22 percent.

To learn more, read the Cancer Sufferers and Caregivers Take Their Fight Against Cancer Online survey as provided by comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions, who conducted the survey.

As a cancer patient or caregiver, do you feel the results of this survey accurately reflect your activities online?

During the first week of October, bloggers submit photos of breasts as part of a blogging breast cancer fundraiser to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Launched five years ago by Robyn Pollman, a stay-at-home mother of two toddlers who blogs Shutterbug, and is webmistress of Wholly Matrimony!, the Boobie-Thon has raised over $35,000 dollars in total. This year, the 152 bloggers participating and donors of the Boobie-Thon raised over $9,000 dollars.

According to the Boobie-Thon, "Boobies. Although they come in all shapes and sizes (large, small, saggy and perky), they have one thing in common: The ability to develop cancer."

Over 1500 people have contributed photos of breasts to the blog, and the website is designed to be workplace safe -- in other words, the main page of the website does not display photos of breasts. You can view photos by visiting one of the galleries of breasts.

A personal note from Boobie-Thon founder Pollman regarding the history and controversy of this event can be read here -- because apparently, there are some who have objected to the Boobie-Thon and resorted to name-calling and other criticisms.

Hate the pink? In an effort to raise money for breast cancer organizations with diverse philosophies but common goals in stopping breast cancer, Pollman posted, "If you don't believe in pink. If you don't believe in what we're doing here. Well then for goodness sake, believe in something and donate to Breast Cancer Action."

To be inspired in how the blogging community can create a grassroots fundraiser based on one blogger's post of an idea, visit Boobie-Thon.

Women who work on farms are three times more likely to develop breast cancer as a result of exposure to pesticides, and women who grew up and worked on farms are four times more likely to develop breast cancer, according to occupational and environmental health scientist James Brophy.

Brophy conducted a study of 564 women diagnosed with breast cancer at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and after he took genetics, smoking, age, number of children and hormone replacement therapies into account, working on a farm appeared to be a notable factor in a number of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Brophy theorizes that childhood and occupational exposure to cancer-causing agents such as pesticides might be a factor in the increase of breast cancer.

"I'm not saying we have the smoking gun on breast cancer. We don't,'' stated Brophy. "What I think we do have is a study that shows the importance of looking at occupation as a potential risk factor.''

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AOL has launched an AIMpage featuring personal stories told by women newly-diagnosed with breast cancer; breast cancer survivors; and by family and friends whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

A wealth of information, including video and interviews with Ann Murray Paige about her documentary the Breast Cancer Diaries is an exclusive presented on the AIMpage. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, television journalist and young mother Paige set up a video camera in her bedroom to chronicle her struggle to fight and survive breast cancer.

You are invited to share your story; upload a video testimonial using UnCut Video; post your photos; create a blog and AIM page of your own; and learn more about breast cancer through the valuable resources provided through the Think Pink AIMpage.

Thanks to Andie for the tip!

Journalist, teacher, mother and eight-year breast cancer survivor Jeanne Sather is a self-described outspoken advocate for the cancer patient's point of view.

A vegetarian since the age of 16 and fairly active, she does not have any of the known risk factors for breast cancer. After an all-clear mammogram at the age of 40, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. In an ironic twist of employment fate, the very job she was hired to do in chronicling her life online as a breast cancer patient, may have led to her firing because of the flexible work schedule breast cancer treatment required.

With a sharp clarity and well-earned perspective, Sather is The Assertive Cancer Patient. To our good fortune here at The Cancer Blog, she has agreed to take part in our Survivor Spotlight series featuring interviews with breast cancer survivors.

Work gives us a sense of purpose; a way to provide for ourselves; and social contact -- all important to health and wellbeing. For those facing the struggles to survive cancer, work can represent a normalcy needed in a time where not much else seems very normal. The activity of work can reflect a hope that even though cancer has temporarily disrupted daily life, one day it will get better -- we are going to get better. Not losing your job when you must go through cancer treatment is a way of having your place in society saved. A message, we will all be here when you get back -- your work life will be here when you can come back.

BBC News investigated how some cancer patients are being mistreated in the workplace and it is appalling. One woman wanted to return to work after treatment for breast cancer and her managers asked her to resign for her own good. They were merely looking out for her, they said. Another woman was told she had become a bad investment.

You can read more at BBC News Cancer patients misery at work. If you are thinking, there ought to be a law -- there is a law to protect workers dealing with serious illnesses against job discrimination. Doesn't appear to stop some companies from acting like insensitive dolts, but there is a law.

Lifetime TV is offering an opportunity to honor a loved one and help give to breast cancer charity. Text PINK to 58463 (LTIME) and Lifetime TV will donate their portion of the text fee to breast cancer charities.

Beginning October 11th, the name and state of the person you submit during the text message will begin appearing on LifetimeTV.com. In addition, the text message may be aired during the following movies: Monday, October 16 at 2 pm et/pt Two Against Time; Friday, October 20 at 7 pm et/pt Four Extraordinary Women; Sunday, October 22 at 1 pm et/pt Encore: Four Extraordinary Women; Monday, October 23 at 2 pm et/pt In a Private Garden; and Saturday, October 28 at 8 pm et/pt Encore: Why I Wore Lipstick.

Sprint, Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Cingular, Alltel, Boost, and Dobson are the participating wireless carriers. For complete details, and charges, Honor a Loved One: Make a Text Dedication Terms and Conditions. Visit here to learn more about the ten breast cancer organizations Lifetime TV supports.

If you were planning to purchase the following books online, consider buying them through the Lifetime TV website, and Lifetime TV will donate all net profits to the ten breast cancer charities they support. Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy by Geralyn Lucas; New Cook Book, Limited Edition "Pink Plaid": For Breast Cancer Awareness by Better Homes & Gardens; Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers by Elizabeth Edwards; Star Palate: Celebrity Cookbook for a Cure by Tami Agassi; In Great Taste: Fresh, Simple Recipes for Eating and Living Well by Evelyn H. Lauder and Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book: 4th Edition 2005 by Susan M. Love.

via: Lifetime TV The Daily Pink

Chemobrain, a term used to describe the mental fog and confusion some women experience after chemotherapy treatment, is very real and researchers who studied the frontal lobe brain activity of women suffering from the occurrence have an explanation for why chemobrain happens. Based on a study done by University of California researchers, chemotherapy drugs disrupt the brain's metabolism and blood flow.

"The same area of the frontal lobe that showed lower resting metabolism displayed a substantial leap in activity when the patients were performing the memory exercise," said Daniel Silverman, the UCLA associate professor who led the study. "In effect, these women's brains were working harder than the control subjects to recall the same information."

In Chemobrain: when a fog settles over your mind, I described my personal experience with the mental confusion and the fog that settled over my mind in the first years after chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Chemobrain does not affect every woman who undergoes chemotherapy, but for the women it does affect, the struggle with the temporary damage suffered from chemotherapy on brain function, in diminished capacities of comprehension, concentration, and memory can be frustrating. The fog does eventually lift and patience, as well as engaging in mental activity that promotes concentration, seemed to help.

The current study is published in the online edition of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

When diagnosed with breast cancer, it feels as if, for the first time, your life has acquired an expiration date. Blurry and unreadable, still it is there, stamped on your consciousness. The surgeon is telling you what he needs to take away, the plastic surgeon is telling you what he can give you back. The oncologist is telling you about treatments and survival statistics. The radiologist is telling you about treatment and survival statistics. The counselor is there if you want to talk.

Statistics are good but limited in what they can predict with accuracy. What works beyond statistics? Why does a woman diagnosed with breast cancer -- who statistically fits into the group of women predicted to be surviving breast cancer ten years later -- does not make it that long; and the woman diagnosed with breast cancer -- who statistically fits into the group of women who have perhaps a year or less to live -- is still surviving breast cancer ten years later. Some of the answers might be found woven within the real experiences and stories breast cancer survivors have to tell.

Breast cancer survivors have stories to tell about their experiences, what they tried, what worked, what they are doing, what they did to create a quality of life, what they learned, the wisdom gleaned. Three breast cancer survivors work here at the Cancer Blog. Jacki Donaldson, Kristina Collins and myself. During October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to bring you the voices of breast cancer survivors. What they did, the advice they have, the hope they represent. We will be featuring breast cancer survivor interviews throughout the month in Survivor Spotlight.

While we are currently interviewing breast cancer survivors, we do not want to leave any one out who would like to share their experience, strength and hope. If you are a breast cancer survivor who would like to be interviewed, please contact us through the Cancer Blog Tips form and we will be in touch shortly.

As women facing the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis and the triumphs of living beyond breast cancer, we share our stories and ourselves in the hope that it will help other women facing the same challenges in the fight to survive breast cancer and the special issues of breast cancer survivorship.

Beginning today, and lasting through October, AOL People Connection's Think Pink! will be featuring breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship resources within a dynamic interactive online community for women to learn about breast cancer, share their breast cancer story and make connections with other breast cancer survivors.

When you visit Think Pink! you will discover a blog featuring personal stories of breast cancer survivors told in their own words; a gallery of inspirational photos submitted by women going through breast cancer treatment and women who are living beyond breast cancer; articles and educational information about breast cancer; special profiles of breast cancer survivors; shop for a cause pink products; how to join a letter writing campaign to increase federal funding for breast cancer research and enhance the involvement and influence of trained breast cancer consumer advocates in all aspects of breast cancer policy and research; sign up for a breast check monthly reminder; learn about ongoing breast cancer events; and more.

While there, you are invited to share your story, submit a photo, start your own blog or create an AIM page.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Bare Escentuals, a company that offers a makeup line of products made from 100 percent pure bareMinerals -- free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other skin irritants -- will be featuring a limited edition Pink Passion Rose Radiance Collection.

According to Bare Escentuals, all profits from the three-piece collection -- i.d. bareMinerals Rose Radiance All-Over Face Color, i.d. Rose Radiance Lip Gloss and the i.d. Heavenly Face Brush -- are going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

In an effort to celebrate mothers, daughters, girlfriends and women everywhere as they embrace life, renew hope and fulfill their dreams Bare Escentuals encourages all women to Think Pink this October.

According to the company website, Bare Escentuals began thirty years ago to create a feather-light makeup as a solution to the heavy look and feel of traditional foundations. While beneficial for most women, the makeup line is especially designed for women with skin sensitivities, allergies, scars, blemishes, rosacea, wrinkles and pigmentation. Bare Escentuals CEO Leslie Blodgett uses real women with real skin problems to be the company's beauty spokesmodels.

Bare Escentuals Pink Passion Rose Radiance Collection will be available during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month from Sephora locations nationwide. To learn more about the makeup products offered and the special Pink Passion Rose Radiance Collection, visit Bare Escentuals.