A new study shows that if you drink, bathe or swim in chlorinated water it may increase the risk of bladder cancer. The chemicals, mostly chlorine, used to disinfect water can be harmful when they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

The chemical by-product produced, called trihalomethanes (THM), can be a powerful carcinogenic because it does not get detoxified by the liver.

The researchers analyzed the average water THM levels in the 123 municipalities in the study. People living in households with an average household water THM of more than 49 micrograms per liter had double the bladder cancer risk of those living in households where water THM concentration was below 8 micrograms per liter. They noted that levels of about 50 micrograms per liter are common in industrialized societies.

Those who drank chlorinate water were at a 35 percent greater risk of bladder cancer than those who didn't and the use of swimming pools boosted bladder cancer risk by 57 percent.

Something else we need to worry about--great! I am not losing sleep over this one. I cannot take back all those years swimming in the backyard pool!

I visited a neighbor yesterday who has breast cancer. She has had one dose of chemotherapy and just yesterday shaved her head. I stopped by to see her new hairstyle and to give her a gift -- a collection of goodies including a hat, some Healing Garden bath lotions and sprays, a flower pen I made, and a card reminding her that like me, she will survive the madness of breast cancer treatment and will go on to enjoy a full head of hair again. And while our travels will be similar in some ways, they are also very different.  You see, Gayle had a mastectomy and I did not. So I can't relate to the emotion that comes from losing a breast and feeling lopsided and searching for a bathing suit to mask the unevenness and waiting for reconstruction that won't take place until after chemotherapy is complete. But Gayle is one strong woman and while I know she will have dark moments at times, her attitude and spirit is remarkable. I went to visit her thinking I could spread some hope her way and I walked away with a dose of hope from her -- a woman new to this journey yet full of courage and strength and bravery.

Gayle, 33 years old, a wife, and mom of two small boys, told me she will go to work tomorrow with a bald head -- she is not interested in cover-ups -- and this makes her an exceptional person in my book. I never did bare my baldness to the world and kept it covered until my new hair was growing back. I admire Gayle -- and all the women who display their heads like badges of honor -- because she is a true survivor. And one who just might teach me a thing or two.