I think it's safe to say that a large amount of women in this world lack self confidence. Tack on a few incisions and scars, some lop-sided or altogether missing breasts, a handful of scattered blue tattoos, a head full of newly sprouting hair, swelling arms, drug-damaged fingernails and toenails, damaged veins, alien-like ports protruding from underneath skin, unpredictable hot flashes, and a foggy brain and it's clear that women surviving breast cancer may have a few of their own issues concerning self confidence. It doesn't take science to prove this reality -- although there are studies out there that do confirm and validate that breast cancer survivors struggle with positive self images.

Results of a study released Wednesday reveal that the vast majority of breast cancer patients in Taiwan lose self confidence after having their breasts removed. The study shows that 90 percent of participants feel they have lost their beauty and femininity following a mastectomy. Women worry about their partner's perception of them after such radical appearance changes. They doubt their roles in their workplace and families. They are even afraid of having sex with their partners. And if the patients' relationship with their spouses are not good in the first place, breast removal surgery will lead to divorce about 10 percent of the time.

There is no doubt that female roles vary from country to country -- and what studies show in Taiwan may not be completely applicable to women in the United States. But there is one universal truth that knows no boundaries -- all women recovering from the ravages of breast cancer will encounter struggles. Because breast cancer does not discriminate when it comes to compromising the self esteem of its targets.

Of all the gifts I received during my cancer treatment, I never did receive boxing gloves. And I've never even considered giving them as gifts to loved ones who are sick. I usually stick with fuzzy socks -- that's my traditional put-your-feet-up comfort gift. But I like the idea of boxing gloves. I like that they represent the fight cancer brings out in us. And I like that two sisters came up with this gift idea for their mother during her cancer battle. Complete with signatures from family and friends, they presented boxing gloves to their mom, Gerrell, who loved looking at her symbol of strength. And she was thrilled with all the personal messages that reminded her each day of everyone who stood in her corner. Although Gerrell has since passed away from cancer, the boxing glove idea lives on.

After their mom died, Gerrell's daughters began a company called My Knockout where they sell boxing gloves with signature pens, t-shirts, gift baskets, and more -- and they contribute a portion of all profits to the American Cancer Society. They say it's takes just three rounds to pursue this gift option for anyone faced with a physical or emotional struggle -- just purchase My Knockout boxing gloves, have friends and loved ones sign the gloves with encouraging messages, and give the gloves to your fighters.

Gerrell's daugthers, who also keep a My Knockout blog, say life is truly worth fighting for. So put your gloves up and fight.

Thanks Sheree for sharing your story!

Geralyn Lucas, author of the memoir Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy can see the pages of her book come to life on the television screen this October -- during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- when Lifetime TV airs her story and spreads her word for all to see. Headlining in this Lifetime Original Movie are Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) and Jay Harrington (Desperate Housewives) whose performances will capture Lucas' struggle after a breast cancer diagnosis at age 27 and with a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy, and a job she maintained throughout it all. Her job -- as an assistant story editor for the TV news program 20/20 -- kept her sane. While her physical world was falling apart, her mind was still working. And that -- along with a promotion during the same time -- kept her focused.

After her 1995 diagnosis, Lucas found herself working as Lifetime's own programming director. She also found herself as mom of post-cancer daughter Skye, and then found herself in the midst of writing a book. It wasn't her goal to write a book really -- but she took a writing class which prompted her to jot down her personal breast cancer story. And the rest is history -- and coming soon to a television screen near you. So stay tuned for October's programming schedule -- and find out why exactly Lucas wore lipstick to her mastectomy.

Lynne Marie Smith, a young wife married to Michael for nine years and the mother of three small children, lost her life to colon cancer after a two month battle to survive. Her husband blogs the Lynne Smith Fund, in honor of Lynne and as a tribute and living legacy of her remarkably loving life.

Lynne had symptoms that bothered her, but as she says, as most typical mothers do, she took the children to the doctor but never went in for herself. When she finally did, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.

As a result of her experience, eight of Lynne's close family and friends have insisted upon and scheduled colonoscopies. None are near the recommended age of 50. Michael reports that three out of four of the people tested so far have had polyps -- tiny bumps that can become cancerous if left in the colon. As he says, "That is a shocking 75 percent folks!"

Lynne is gone, and Michael, Benjamin, Riley, Shelby miss her every day. Michael blogs to raise colon cancer awareness and encourage every one to get a colonoscopy much younger than the age when most are told they need one. Lynne was only 37 years old.

USA Today features a story, Cancer makes life harder in the Big Easy, about the fact that life isn't getting any easier for cancer patients in the long-term aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's destruction of their soulful and spirited New Orleans. While some of the residents have returned to a place that is more than just a place, cancer patients still must leave the area to find cancer treatment. Before Hurricane Katrina, cancer treatment services were often a few miles away -- now the same treatment is sometimes hundreds of miles away. Charity Hospital, which treated many of the city's poor and uninsured, has been shut down since the storm. The same residents who could not leave right before the hurricane hit because they had no transportation, are now faced with the challenge of how to get to cancer treatment that can be miles away -- with no transportation.

Donna Williams, director of the Louisiana Cancer Control Program, and her staff, have been asking doctors for the names and addresses of cancer patients, then going to the last place they lived. If no one is there, they leave a sign tacked to the front letting the person with cancer know there are people out trying to find them -- to help them. "We put signs on whatever was left of their homes, on piles of rubble sometimes, hoping people would come back," Williams says. "If they didn't come back, hopefully a friend or neighbor would see it." Williams worries about the cancer patients she can't find. Williams, and the others like her, are the best of who we are as a people -- and sometimes better than some of us ever get a chance to be. They are the angels in our midst.