When Australian pop star Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, there was a sudden surge in the number of young women requesting breast cancer screening. Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 37 raised concern among a younger population of women that breast cancer is a diagnosis that could potentially happen to them. Knowledge is power and education saves lives. The increase in breast cancer awareness became known as the Kylie Effect.

However, the awareness that younger women can develop breast cancer has led some women to age-related conclusions about breast cancer that are not true, and this is also being referred to as the Kylie Effect. According to a recent survey of 2,289 women conducted by Cancer Research UK, 77 percent of the survey participants said that breast cancer risk was higher for women under the age of 70, and 33 percent said that women under the age of 50 were most at risk. The fact is cancer risk increases with age, and four out of five women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50.

"Celebrities with breast cancer like Kylie Minogue and Caron Keating have attracted a lot of publicity -- especially in magazines aimed at younger women. This is very beneficial in that it raises awareness of breast cancer. But the down side is that it may also set up a chain of panic among young women, while misleading older women to think that ageing is not a relevant factor in breast cancer," stated Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK.

For a retrospective of Kylie Minogue's breast cancer journey:

• Kylie Minogue: voted favorite traveling companion of men.
• Kylie Minogue: world exclusive interview with Sky One.
• Kylie Minogue loses close friend and personal chauffeur to cancer.
• Kylie Minogue: back on stage as a breast cancer survivor.
• Kylie Minogue: laughter is the best medicine for cancer cure.
• Dannii Minogue: sings under pressure about sister Kylie.
• Kylie Minogue breast cancer survivor glows in health.
• Kylie Minogue: cancer survivor writes children's book.
• Kylie Minogue joins women in fight for Herceptin.
• Kylie Minogue in breast cancer remission.

What should younger women do to be breast cancer smart? Do a monthly self exam and if they notice any abnormalities or lumps, insist that tests be done to rule out breast cancer. Realize that while any woman at any age can get breast cancer, the chances increase with age and 80 percent of breast cancer diagnosis happen for women 50 years and older.

In an earlier post, we told you about one of our favorite organizations, The National Breast Cancer Coalition, NBCC, hosting the first annual Golden Boob Awards. No one likes a group who misrepresents the truth to promote a private agenda, and this year's nominees more than qualify in that regard. When it comes to fighting breast cancer, hidden agendas are particularly heinous. The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is a nominee for threatening the integrity of serious efforts to find ways to prevent, treat, cure, and ultimately end breast cancer. Mark For Life is a nominee for trying to make money from a product with no real impact in the fight against breast cancer.

To date, The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer has received 86 percent of the vote as the biggest boob of the year. Voting ends July 4th, and if you haven't voted, you still have time. If you feel you know of an even bigger boob that deserves this award, the NBCC is also taking nominations at the Golden Boob Awards site. You can vote -- or submit your nomination -- here. Remember, July 4th is the deadline. If you have already voted, send a message, tell a friend.

Update 12.17.2006: The winner of the Golden Boob Awards as the biggest boobs is ....

The National Breast Cancer Coalition, NBCC, is exposing the biggest boobs in the fight to stop breast cancer. If you misrepresent the truth about breast cancer to push a private agenda with frivolous actions or initiatives that go against the progress being made in the fight against breast cancer; or seek to make a financial profit without benefit to the legitimate efforts being made in the fight against breast cancer -- then you qualify for the Golden Boob Award. The NBCC is a grassroots advocacy group that works for increased federal funding for breast cancer research and with the scientific community to implement new models of research. The NBCC seeks to improve access to high-quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials for all women. This year's nominees in the first annual Golden Boob Award are:

• Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer for threatening the integrity of serious efforts to find ways to prevent, treat, cure, and ultimately end breast cancer.
• Mark For Life for trying to make money from a product with no impact in the fight against breast cancer.
  

If you know boobs that deserve the award, you can nominate them at the Golden Boob Award site. You can vote for this year's biggest boob of all by going here.

Update 12.17.2006: The winner of the Golden Boob Awards as the biggest boob is ....