D.C. Divas go 3-0

DC Divas Blank Central Maryland, 40-0

Neal Rozendaal

Baltimore, MD – So far this season, the DC Divas have felt right at home on the road.

The Divas defense recovered five Seahawks fumbles – including two in the end zone for touchdowns – and DC defeated Central Maryland, 40-0, on Saturday.  The Divas (3-0) won their third straight game on the road and pitched their first shutout of the year.

Fumble recoveries were responsible for all of the scoring in the first quarter.  Pinned deep in their own territory, the Seahawks (1-2) were forced to punt.  The punter fumbled the snap, and Jimmien Strong recovered the ball in the end zone to get DC on the board first.

Two minutes later, Central Maryland was backed deep in their own territory again.  This time, the quarterback fumbled the snap, and Alicia Hopkins came away with possession in the end zone for another Divas score.  DC held a 13-0 lead after one quarter.

Fumbles continued to plague the Seahawks in the second period.  Allyson Swailes came up with DC’s third fumble recovery of the game, which gave the Divas great field position at the Seahawks’ 40-yard line.  The DC offense took advantage, capping a forty-yard drive with a touchdown pass from Allyson Hamlin to Juliette Baker-Brice.  The Divas’ first offensive score of the contest handed the visitors a 20-0 lead.

Controversy struck at the end of the first half.  Central Maryland’s first ever home game came with one major complication: the scoreboard game clock malfunctioned, forcing the referees to keep time on the field.

Hopkins made her second fumble recovery of the game late in the first half, giving the Divas possession near midfield.  Hamlin rapidly completed two passes to the sidelines, putting the Divas near the Central Maryland goal line in mere seconds. However, the referees then signaled that the half was over, abruptly ending the scoring threat.

Nevertheless, the Divas continued their offensive momentum in the second half, and they did so by calling on their most experienced player.  Donna Wilkinson – the only remaining member of the team who played for the Divas’ inaugural squad in 2001 – ran for a seven-yard touchdown to stake DC to a 27-0 advantage.

Alicia Hopkins continued her stellar play on the next Central Maryland possession.  The Seahawks were forced to punt, and when their punter dropped the snap, Hopkins snared the ball again for her third fumble recovery of the game at the Seahawks’ 10-yard line.  The Divas capitalized on their excellent field position when Hamlin scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak on fourth and goal.

Allyson Hamlin added a sixth DC touchdown to the scoreboard by completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Baker-Brice midway through the fourth quarter.  Hamlin put together a solid day’s work, accounting for three touchdowns – two through the air and one on the ground.

The Divas defense preserved their shutout in dramatic fashion.  On the game’s final play, a Seahawk ballcarrier scampered down the field for Central Maryland’s longest gain of the day.  After traveling over sixty yards, Raquel Williams dragged the Seahawk runner down from behind inside the five-yard line, ending the contest with DC’s goal line still uncrossed.

The victory gave DC their third straight win to start the season, all of them on the road.  As a result, the Divas play four of their final five regular season games at home, beginning next Saturday with their home opener against the Boston Militia.

The cancer "hell on earth" they don't warn you about..

This Cancer Treatment Side Effect
Can Last for Years — and Make
Your Life a "Living Hell"
You'll want to think twice about
conventional treatments after you read this

    Many people have been handed a life of "living hell" as a side effect of traditional cancer treatments" yet hardly a doctor warns of the dangers. What's more, the side effect doesn't go away once the treatment is over. You may suffer with it for the rest of your life.

    One more reason to avoid conventional treatments. . .but what if it's too late for you and you're already afflicted with this nightmare? Conventional doctors will tell you there's nothing they can do. As often happens, they're wrong. We've got some tips to help you manage this painful result of mainstream cancer medicine. . .

Continued below. . .

[Here's an important message from our trusted colleague, Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby MD, PhD]... You Will Probably Live To 100 Years Whether You Want To Or Not     The "rules" of aging have changed enormously in the days since I went to medical school.     They still keep changing; life expectancy moves relentlessly upwards.     We are all growing older, it's true. But that doesn't mean we have to age.     The fact is that at 65 years you are barely half-way through even today's lifespan. Some people alive now will reach 200 years of age and still be in good shape. You may have no choice.     What will put you in your grave, eventually, is not aging. It's ignorance. I promise you that you will die earlier than you should if you don't know about anti-aging. You'll lose years that could be rightfully yours.     In my remarkable eBook "Get Healthy For Your Next 100 Years" I tell you all the latest science, organ by organ, explaining what you need to know and what you need to do to stay healthy. Read more...

    Lymphedema is an abnormal fluid build-up that causes swelling, mostly in the arms and legs. It develops when lymph nodes are removed, impaired, or damaged, as often happens when a breast cancer patient has a mastectomy or lumpectomy. But it can also be a result of radiation treatment.

    Any time the normal drainage pattern is disrupted, the swelling called lymphedema may occur.

    Lymphedema is a common complication of conventional cancer treatments. If you've had ovarian or cervical cancer, prostate, testicular, bladder or colon cancer — and if you've undergone conventional treatments -- lymphedema would affect your legs and feet instead of your arms as happens with breast cancer.

    Tamoxifen, a cancer drug, is another common cause of lower extremity lymphedema and blood clots.

    And yet your doctor may never warn you about this complication.

    Some people develop lymphedema immediately following these treatments… others do so months or years later. The degree of swelling varies. Some people experience extreme swelling, with the affected arm or leg ballooning to several inches larger than the other arm or leg.

    How bad is it? Many patients complain that dealing with lymphedema has taken over their entire life.

    Besides the damage to your looks and the painful side effects such as lost range of motion, tightness, and difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area… lymphedema also increases your risk of serious infection, which can become a life-threatening emergency if it spreads throughout your lymphatic or circulatory systems and reaches vital organs.

Mainstream medicine's 'non-treatment'
of lymphedema

    While the best lymphedema prevention in my view is to avoid cut/burn/poison interventions in the first place, I also recognize that many people do them first and then learn later how damaging they can be.

    After all, we're all learning as we go. Most people submit to conventional treatments just as their doctor tells them, and turn to alternative treatments only when the first way fails.

    Although mainstream medicine is the main source of the problem of lymphedema, mainstream medicine leaves you high and dry when it comes to solutions to the problem.

    For example, the Cleveland Clinic and others take the rather pessimistic view that there's not much they can do. They consider lymphedema a chronic disease that usually requires lifelong management.¹

    They suggest conservative treatments (catch the irony here?) such as bandaging, compression garments, and exercises.

    Surgery has been tried as a lymphedema treatment, but it usually doesn't work and often makes the condition worse.

    Doctors may also refer patients to a physical or occupational therapist who specializes in lymphedema. They will work with you to create a treatment plan that may include:

• Specific exercises or a complete exercise program
• Manual lymphatic drainage therapy (a gentle form of massage)
• Mechanical pumping devices as needed

    Very important… Be sure the therapist you see has specific training and experience with lymphedema cases.

An ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure

    If it's not too late, consider skipping conventional treatment plans with their almost certain negative side effects… Or at least give extremely careful consideration to some of the alternative protocols available — such as the Budwig Protocol, and Dr. Max Gerson's.

    If you have late-stage cancer, conventional treatments are just about sure losers and definitely not worth trying. If your cancer is early-stage, it's a tougher call. Me? I'd go with alternatives. (I don't like to keep reminding these unfortunate late-stage patients that their chances are so slim, but that's what this newsletter is all about. You need to start doing alternatives — pronto — and stop listening to the mainstream nonsense. The only way to say it is to say it, so I'm not going to mince words here. I'm sorry if it comes across as harsh.)

    But what's your next step if you've already done the surgery, undergone radiation or chemo… and now suffer from lymphedema?

Hope and help from natural medicine

    Counter to hand wringing from the conventional camp, there are some measures you can implement that may help control or even cure your lymphedema.

1. Detoxify. 
   
   As much as possible, detoxify your system to create the best possible health and internal cleanliness. Use Epsom salt baths, which are known to chelate ionizing radiation and radioactivity from your body.
2. Lose WeightStudies show that lymphedema is typically worse in overweight individuals, so shedding a few extra pounds may give you relief.
3. Dietary and Lifestyle Protocol
   
   Dr. Budwig's Protocol makes sense for anyone facing any kind of a cancer challenge. It may also, due to its somewhat "blood thinning" effect, help facilitate lymphatic flow.
   
   Add enzymes such as bromelain (found in raw pineapple) to your diet. Bromelain and other proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes are known to reduce swelling and inflammation. (Note: If you're allergic to pineapple, you may develop a rash. There are many other proteolytic enzymes to choose from. They're also called proteases. For the full story on enzyme therapy, read our Special Report The Missing Ingredient for Good Health. EVERYONE should be taking enzymes, sick and healthy people alike.)
   
   Better yet, go raw! Raw foods are filled with living enzymes and cancer fighting nutrients. Get out your juicer or food processor, even if you haven't used it in awhile. Juicing does some of the 'pre-digesting' for your body.
   
   Focus on these cancer cell killing nutrients — all raw, of course: carrots, broccoli, cabbage, green asparagus, pineapple, whole purple grapes with seeds, skins and all, apricot seeds (they contain laetrile), strawberries, red and black raspberries, blueberries, beetroot, and turmeric.
   
   Enjoy some "green power foods" and drinks… Freshly pressed organic wheatgrass, celery, and parsley juice, and spirulina have helped a great many patients overcome both cancer and lymphedema.
   
   Choose anti-inflammatory foods — which means sidestepping wheat, sugar, dairy, and all processed foods.
4. Herbs
   
   Certain herbs are known to help increase lymphatic flow, including butcher's broom, ginger tea (made from powdered ginger), sweet clover ointment (which contains coumarin — a lymph flow stimulant).
   
   "Indigo Drops" — formulated by herbalist Ingrid Naiman for lymphatic blockages — has been reported to help "in as little as five to six hours". I don't have much information about this, but it sounds worth checking out.
   
   Frankincense, myrrh and ginger essential oils may also promote lymphatic movement… and cayenne is an all-round helpful herb.
   
   Ginger tea prepared with about half a teaspoon of powdered ginger in a cup of water may help increase circulation of lymph, and reduce inflammation.
   
   Red clover (which has anti-cancer properties) and fenugreek seem to be helpful also. As do the oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) found in grape seed or pine bark extract tablets, taken as supplements.
   
   Several capsules of echinacea daily help stimulate lymph flow.
5. Activate Your Lymphatic System — Here's How…
   
   Your lymph system is your waste removal system. But unlike your heart, which has a pump, your lymph must be stimulated by action and movement.
   
   For example, you can stimulate it by brisk walking.
   
   But some believe there's no substitute for jumping on a small trampoline(rebounder) for five to ten minute sessions without too much heavy breathing. This stimulates lymph flow like nothing else (except possibly jumping rope).
   
   Lothar Himeise, eminent cancer researcher, proclaims in his book Chemotherapy Heals Cancer and The World is Flat:

   "Please do not underestimate the pronounced positive effects that jumping on a trampoline can have on your lymphatic system. Even if you do not feel the healing effect immediately, this simple device offers immense support to your detoxification efforts."

   Be sure to get a quality rebounder.
   
   Another option is using a Power Plate, used in the space program to stimulate immune and bone health. It also induces the motion and gravitational forces of a rebounder — only much faster. Indeed, it is said to be able to multiply your exercise efforts, giving you far better results in substantially less time.
   
   Another activation method is to brush... With a soft natural bristle brush, start at the tips of your fingers and brush toward your collar bone, left side then right side. Circle each breast, stroking gently but firmly, and always toward the respective collarbone. This is where the lymph fluid reenters your blood circulation.
   
   On your lower body, start with your toes, and stroke with long strokes toward the lymph nodes in each groin, near your front lower abdomen — where your largest and most important lymph nodes are located, and where lymph toxins are "digested".
6. Wear loose fitting clothing
   
   Never restrict lymph flow by wearing tight clothing such as bras and tight pants. There's a direct link between the length of time a bra is worn and breast cancer incidence… as well as a notable absence of prostate cancer in countries where men wear loose-fitting pants. (Tight fitting pants create local hyperthermia, restrict lymph flow, and 'starve' local cells.)
7. Cabbage Leaf Packs
   
   It sounds bizarre, but cabbage leaf applications were a backbone of naturopathic Swiss doctor Father Thomas Haeberle's books and practices. Cabbage is well established as an anti-cancer food. But as a poultice it is relatively unknown in modern times, though there is some evidence it was popular during Roman times.
   
   I know of no scientific studies that back this as a treatment — so please take this story as it is intended, strictly as an anecdotal case.
   
   A woman who reportedly suffered from lymphedema had tried elastic bandages with no improvement. Hearing that cabbage leaves might help, she crushed cabbage leaves and held them in place over her lymphedema with elastic bandages. She reported marked improvement in just one night, and almost completely dissipated swelling in three nights. There's likely no harm in trying this, but realize that we don't have scientific studies to show its efficacy.
8. Red Light Treatment
   
   Several studies now show the healing benefits of light, and especially red light. (No blue light for lymphedema.) Red light wavelengths easily penetrate your skin, stimulating your mitochondria — the cellular powerhouses that make your tissues and organs run more smoothly.
   
   The first study, published in the journal Lymphology in 1998², showed that women getting red light treatments once or twice a week for 10 weeks had measurably less arm swelling, and improvements in measures of pain, tightness, heaviness, cramps and arm mobility.
   
   Red light therapy not only reduces lymphedema… it also helps activate the local immune system by stimulating the white blood cells that can kill and carry away pathogens. This makes for a more sanitary cellular environment and thereby reduces infection risk. I've seen a couple of products recommended: The X Light from Chee Energy Company and the Light Shaker from Light Energy Company. Haven't checked them out, I'm just passing the info along.
   
   But the ultimate light treatment might be sunlight. After all, it's been available throughout the ages and assists your body to produce vitamin D which is highly protective against cancer.
   
   The Russians found that sunlight speeds up detoxification by twice to as much as twenty times. But the best results were when sun exposure began before toxic exposure began — a compelling reason to get regular sunlight.³

    Your lymph nodes do an amazing job of keeping you detoxified.

    So, even if you don't have lymphedema, or have never had cancer — you might be well advised to employ many of these strategies strictly for their health-enhancing benefits. After all, if your lymph nodes do so much for you, why not give them the assistance to do their job better?

Big Train College Round-Up 4/19

Big Train College Round-Up 4/19

Hunter Renfroe (BT '11-'12) is up to his old tricks again. Renfroe - pictured above - homered in each game this week for Mississippi State as they swept Texas A&M. He went 8 for 14 in the series and picked up a double and walk to go along with his three home runs. Over the three games, he came across the plate seven times and drove in four runs. His incredible play earned him the SEC Player of the Week. At Florida Atlantic, Big Train players helped the Owls take three of their four games this week. At the plate, Mitch Morales (BT '12) and Ricky Santiago(BT '13) paced the Owls. Santiago went 6 for 14 with two walks and a double while Morales went 6 for 15 with a walk. They combined to score six times and drive in four. On the mound, Bo Logan (BT '12-'13) pitched 3.1 innings and gave up just three hits and no walks or runs while striking out four batters and earning a win. In relief, Hugh Adams (BT '06-'12) pitched two innings and earned yet another save for the Owls as he gave up just two hits and no walks or runs and struck out three. Two other interesting stories: Jimmy Reed (BT '10) threw 112 pitches for Maryland over nine innings against Miami (FL) last Friday night. Though he did not give up a run, the game went into extras with no runs on the board and the Terrapins lost in extra innings. Reed gave up just three hits and three walks while striking out ten batters. At UNC-Wilmington, Michael Bass(BT '11-'12) had another great week (7/18, BB, HBP, 3R, RBI, SB), but that is more of the same. The story is that his on-base streak is now up to 34 games. Other notable pitching performances: Ryan Doran (BT '12 / San Diego State) - 8.1IP, W, 0ER, 8H, 2BB, 9K... Michael Frank (BT '11 / Bowling Green) - 8IP, W, ER, 7H, BB, HBP, 2K... Michael Judge (BT '13 / Methodist (NC)) - 7IP, W, 2ER, 5H, 0BB, HBP, K)... Ricky Holden (BT '12 / UNC-Wilmington) - 4.1IP, W, 0ER, 2H, 0BB, 2K. Other notable hitting performances: Josh Leemhuis (BT '11 / George Mason) - 10/19, 3R, 10RBI, 3 2B... Brandon Gum (BT '12 / George Mason) - 4/11, BB, RBI... Adam Barry (BT '11-'12 / High Point) - 4/16, 3R, 4RBI, HR.

D.C. Divas ready for week 3 on the road

Divas Prepare for the Unknown in Baltimore

Neal Rozendaal

Washington, DC – After opening the season with two victories over longtime rivals, the DC Divas (2-0) now face a completely different challenge.  The Divas will play their third road game in three weeks Saturday when they take on the expansion Central Maryland Seahawks in Baltimore.

The Divas claimed a 53-20 victory over the Columbus Comets last week, and Divas head coach Alison Fischer was satisfied with her team’s uneven but ultimately successful performance.  “I was a little concerned we’d have a letdown,” Fischer admitted. “At times I think we did lose a little focus, but then we had some great moments throughout the game.”

“It’s still good to get the win,” she continued.  “Columbus is one of those teams that just doesn’t quit.  They keep coming at you no matter what the score is.”

Coach Fischer was particularly pleased with her team’s defense, which forced seven interceptions against Comets quarterback Crystal Davis.  “We knew she puts the ball up quite a bit, and if we were going to be aggressive, we thought we could come away with some of them,” Fischer said.  “Obviously, seven was more than we thought, so we’re very happy with that.”

With two division wins under their belt, the DC Divas step out of division play for the next four games, beginning with Saturday’s game against the Central Maryland Seahawks (1-1).  The Seahawks have only played one competitive game, losing 20-6 at the New York Sharks; Central Maryland picked up their first win last weekend via forfeit over an unannounced non-league opponent.  This Saturday’s contest at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore will be the Seahawks’ first ever home game.

Despite the fact that Central Maryland is a new franchise, many of their players are very familiar to the Divas.  Several of the Seahawks have pro football experience playing for the IWFL’s Baltimore Nighthawks or WSFL’s Baltimore Burn.  Still, with only one game of film to study, the Divas will need to expect the unexpected from Central Maryland.

Coach Fischer’s strategy for dealing with an expansion franchise is to focus less on the Seahawks’ game plan and instead concentrate on her own team.  “The players of theirs that we do know, we can adjust to as necessary,” Fischer stated.  “But we’re going to try to play our game and execute well and focus more on what we do this week.”

Around the WFA – The Pittsburgh Passion, who lost to the Divas, 42-31, in their season opener, rebounded Saturday with a 42-0 victory over the Toledo Reign…The Chicago Force and Boston Militia, who played for the National Conference title in 2012, got off to strong starts in their season openers.  Chicago defeated the Detroit Dark Angels, 62-0, while Boston throttled the New York Sharks, 70-0…Congratulations to the Miami Fury, who upset the Jacksonville Dixie Blues, 22-10.  Jacksonville, a regional powerhouse, had an 8-0 record in the regular season in 2012, while Miami went 0-8; the Fury are now 2-0 in 2013.

Warrior Island

Hey GPG / Warrior Island Fans you can get a Credit on the TV show. Donate to Warrior Island and get cool autographed gear: Re-post this to all of our friends. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-island  It is a great crowd source way for Warrior Island to give fighters a bigger pay day....Get involved now and be part of the Warrior Island TV Show. click here to donate and get great gear and be part of history. Hey GPG / Warrior Island Fans you can get a Credit on the TV show. Donate to Warrior Island and get cool autographed gear: Re-post this to all of our friends.http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-island It is a great crowd source way for Warrior Island to give fighters a bigger pay day...Get involved now and be part of the Warrior Island TV Show.  click here to donate and get great gear and be part of history. STAY CONNECTED

Cancer-detecting bra could be better than mammograms

New Cancer-Detecting Bra Boasts Better Track Record than Mammograms

"A bra saved my life"

    By next year, a cancer-detecting bra called the First Warning System should be available. Developers are currently waiting on FDA approval, which they expect by February of 2014.

    It might sound far-fetched, but the First Warning System bra is a non-invasive screening device for breast cancer that's been in the works for over 20 years. Now it's just about ready for prime time, and it could revolutionize breast cancer detection and treatment. Keep reading and learn more about this remarkable breakthrough...

Continued below. . .

Breast Cancer Breakthrough BANNED! U.S. Government Blocks Release of Doctor's Life-Saving Book     A mammoth discovery is wiping out most breast tumors better than anything seen yet in modern medicine. It makes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy look like something from the Dark Ages.     A Cornell-educated doctor followed more than 25 years of case studies and PROVED this treatment can cure breast cancer. With the discovery I'm going to tell you about, almost every woman makes it and without losing a breast to surgery or taking any toxic chemicals. Even those with late stage cancer!     You've got to include this treatment if you want to have any REAL hope of defeating breast cancer. Click here now and watch a new video presentation about this important discovery…

    Nedra Lindsay of Fairborn, OH, gives the First Warning bra credit for detecting her breast cancer early — and for saving her life. She wore the device at age 25 as part of the initial study. At that young age, she says breast cancer was the furthest thing from her mind.

    But the First Warning bra indicated she had cancer. Nedra underwent three different, increasingly invasive medical tests that were reviewed by three independent medical investigations. All confirmed the initial diagnosis made by the First Warning bra.

    Nedra's surgeon told her that under normal circumstances, her cancer likely wouldn't have been noticeable till she was closer to age 37. By then it could have progressed to a dangerous level. Nedra points out that under her insurance plan a mammogram wasn't even covered till she turned 40. Indeed, mammograms for women under the age of 40 are almost useless because the breast tissue in a younger woman is typically very dense.

    Now aged 45, Nedra is alive and cancer-free.

Cancer-detecting technology built into a bra

    According to Dr. Ronald Fletcher, Chief Investigator of the study and previous Director of Oncology at Greene Memorial Hospital in Xenia, OH, "Cancer is probably the most curable of all diseases — with the proviso that it's caught early enough." He points out women under the age of 44 aren't likely to be screened, but nearly 11 percent will eventually be diagnosed with breast cancer that will have already progressed to a late stage.

    In fact, it's young women who usually have the most aggressive types of breast cancer. Tumors found in women under age 40 grow the fastest but are hardest to detect. And the sad truth is, roughly 6.5 percent of the victims will die as a result.

    But if those tumors can be detected early, there's a nearly 100% survival rate.

    That's where the First Warning System comes in. It detects cancer cells years before those cells can be seen on an MRI or mammogram. It uses patented sensor-detecting technology that is painless, non-invasive, and highly accurate.

    To the naked eye, it just looks like a sports bra.

    The First Warning bra works by detecting minute temperature differences in your breast tissue. It's these fluctuations in temperature that indicate a possible cancer abnormality. When a cancer tumor starts to grow, your body builds a system of new, albeit abnormal blood vessels. The increased blood flow to the area creates something called a "heat signature" within the tumor. This small temperature variation occurs several years before the tumor itself is visible on a mammogram or MRI.

    But normal body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and varies from woman to woman. To account for that, the First Warning System needs to maintain constant contact with the body throughout a testing period of at least 24 hours. That's why a tight-fitting sports bra is ideal. Sensors located in the cup area of the bra stay in direct contact with the breast for as long as necessary to get a good temperature reading.

    The sensors collect data that is sent to the Internet, and from there the data is analyzed by complex algorithms and delivered to a trained doctor. You get to see the results, too, either through your computer or mobile device.

    So far, three clinical trials have shown an accuracy level of more than 90 percent for the First Warning System. As a screening tool, it's much more accurate at a gratifyingly earlier point in time.

    It's cheaper, too, coming in at around $200. Mammograms cost as much as $300 but are only effective after a tumor has reached a detectable size. Even then, you've got the false positive issue. But the First Warning System bra not only detects early-stage tissue abnormalities, it also reduces the false positives that are causing women so much angst.

One step forward in the healthcare maze

    This "magic bra" could be a massive step forward in easy breast cancer detection and early intervention. It should prove especially useful for women with dense breast tissue who are severely limited at present when it comes to diagnostic tools. (We've written before about how mammography and ultrasound are virtually useless for dense breasts, though few women know whether they have dense tissue and so aren't aware of their higher risk level — seeIssue #198.)

    Here's a quick update on that note — beginning in April of 2013, California will be the 5th state mandating that physicians tell patients whether they have dense breast tissue. Eleven more states, as well as the federal government, have legislation pending. This is a significant step forward because it means more women will be made aware that their dense breast tissue significantly lowers the effectiveness of mammograms.

    By the way, if you're ever diagnosed with breast cancer, you should read our Special Report Breast Cancer Cover-Up. It tells you the best natural and alternative treatments (and also the best tests — but not the First Systems bra, which hadn't come out yet at the time the report was written.)

    Navigating the American healthcare maze is a nightmare. Breast Cancer Cover-Up can help. And with advances like the First Warnings bra, we can look forward to new ways to find cancer at a very early stage, when it's easy to treat.

    If you haven't been reading Cancer Defeated for long, you may wonder, "Who needs this new breast cancer test? Don't mammograms do the job?" Glad you asked. Let's take a look. . .

A second opinion that came too late

    Just last week, a study from the Annals of Family Medicine revealed a shocking new statistic: As many as 60 percent of abnormal mammograms turn out to be false positives. These are cases where the breast X-ray says the woman has cancer, but she doesn't.

    ABC News with Diane Sawyer underscored this revelation, reporting recently on a woman who had an abnormal mammogram three years ago. The biopsy that followed revealed she had cancer. Because the woman's mother, sister, and three aunts had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer, she opted for a double mastectomy — the most radical treatment available.

    But in the messy process of getting her insurance provider to cover expenses, the woman had to hire a lawyer. The lawyer sent her original biopsy out for a second opinion. The cancer expert who gave the second opinion said the woman never had cancer in the first place. Both mammogram and biopsy got it wrong.

    Unusual? Not really. Another new and unsettling study shows as many as 4 percent of biopsies are misread — affecting as many as 10,000 women a year.

    While this woman was thrilled to learn she was cancer-free, she'd also sacrificed both breasts to medical error.

    It's a horrifying story, but it's not unique. Because mammograms can detect smaller lesions than ever before, an accurate cancer diagnosis has become much harder to make. That's led to an increase in false positive mammograms. Most of those are followed by a biopsy. And as noted, those are subject to error as well, although much less often than the X-rays.

    In the best of cases, women with a false-positive mammogram — even where breast cancer is ruled out — experience as much as three years of lingering anxiety about having a close brush with cancer.

    In the worst cases, the false positive results are taken all the way to the surgery table, with heartbreaking results like the example above.

    So always, always get a second opinion — and do it BEFORE moving forward with any treatment option. If your doctor is any kind of decent human being, he or she will welcome another set of eyes.

    These findings highlight the pressing need for improved screening tests. That's why the First Warning Systems bra is such welcome news.

Bowie City Council Honors CIAA Champion Bulldogs Basketball Team

BOWIE, Md. - The Bowie City Council honored the Bowie State University men's basketball team with a resolution recognizing their "outstanding accomplishments" at Bowie City Hall tonight. PHOTOS 

The Proclamation of Recognition presented to head coach Darrell Brooks, the assistant coaches and players by Council members Todd Turner and BSU alumnus Isaac Trouth noted the teams’ tournament successes and post season regional play.

As Council member Turner presented the proclamation to the Bulldogs, his remark of “I know it (the CIAA Championship) was maybe not expected”, Council member Trouth was quick to correct Council member Turner (with a chuckle) saying “It was expected … Excellence is the only acceptable standard for us.” 

Council member Turner then read the proclamation aloud, concluding "The Council of the City of Bowie takes great pride in congratulating the team on a great season and we wish the Bulldogs continued success in the future."

Head Coach Darrell Brooks thanked the City of Bowie for the award and closed the remarks with, “These guys worked really hard and earned everything they got this year.”

The Bulldogs finished their season 16-14, after claiming their second CIAA tournament title (March 2^nd) and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament where Bowie State lost its opening round game to West Liberty.  Bowie State’s other men’s CIAA Championship occurred 10 years and one day (2003) to their first championship.