The Orchid Blog

Sigma Theta Psi Multicultural Sorority's official blog.

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Meet Carmen Guzman: A Founding Mother

In 1991, eighteen strong women came together to create Sigma Theta Psi Multicultural Sorority. An academic and social sorority aimed at encouraging and supporting ALL women through their academic and life endeavors. Today we profile Carmen Guzman, one of our eighteen founding mothers. Read on to learn more about her and our rich history. 

Name: Carmen Guzman

Birthday: August 6

College Major: Social Science

Profession: Teacher

Favorite Food: Mexican

Favorite Colors: Purple, Pink, Brown

Favorite Type of Music: Freestyle

Favorite TV Shows: Sex and the City, Modern Family, The Carrie Diaries, 90210 (the original series)

What are your hobbies or interests?

I love to travel and learn about other cultures.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?

To heal those that are sick or emotionally hurting. I would pick this as my superpower, because if people were happy, then they'd be more tolerant.

What's your favorite Sigma Memory?

My favorite memory is the day that we were officially recognized at SJSU, and our first Halloween party.

What's your favorite part about Sigma Theta Psi?

Knowing that I made a strong connection with so many amazing women. Also, to know that so many young ladies continue to honor and to represent the values that I had when I first started.

Why did you decide to help create Sigma Theta Psi?

I wanted to create something that was open to all cultures and ethnic groups. I wanted to create an organization that felt like home. 

Are there any Sigma traditions you created?

I suggested that our mascot be the panther.

How do you envision the future of Sigma Theta Psi? Where do you see us in 10 years?

I envision a strong [alumnae network] that will be part of national board and really pull through for our younger sisters. I think we forget to give back after we graduate and begin our careers or families. 

What embodies a woman of Sigma Theta Psi?

Hard work, honesty, compassion for others and humanity.

What advice do you have for sisters of our organization, especially newer sisters? What should they do to be the best Sigma sister possible and realize their full potential?

My advice is to be humble and ask for help when it's needed. Many times [we can] take on the "me" attitude. We joined to make a difference for all sisters. Sadly, sometimes our personal agendas interfere with what is best for the sisterhood. Respect your alumnae and learn from their mistakes. To be the best you must be willing to take a step back at times and let others shine when it's their time. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and never play the role of the victim. Carry the vision and values with you, and life will be beautiful.

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Sigma Spotlight: Tannia Ventura

My biggest dream and goal in life is to change the world in a positive way, and, needless to say, the work that I am doing at the Independent Living Institute, LLC is allowing me to do just that. I work one-on-one with adults who have disabilities (such as Spinal Bifida, Autism, Learning Differences, Dyslexia, Down-Syndrome, Alcohol Fetal Syndrome, etc) in their home and in the community and help them gain the skills needed to live a full and independent adult life. One thing people may not realize is that all my clients are humans just like the rest of us. They have ambitions, goals, emotions, political views, religious views, interests, and dislikes. They are athletes, students, workers, family members, and so much more. Through this work, I have realized how negative outside communities can judge the people that I work with. There are certain labels out there that dehumanize and negatively identify my clients. For example, the word “handicap” came from the view that those who had disabilities were unable to do anything but hold a cap on the corner and ask for money (“hand in cap”).

This is why my peers and I try to break away from these judgments and labels by educating our communities and even our clients, who sometimes internalize these negative perceptions about themselves. [We teach them]  that people with disabilities are people first. Their “disabilities” are not bad but rather it just makes them different and unique, just like any other human trait (eye color, hair color, body build, etc). They are not disabled people or broken people. They are just different. My clients are some of the most amazing, positive, and hard working people I know. I take pride in being able to work with such wonderful individuals that have gone through life with so much courage in a world that is not always very nice or supportive towards them. A better world starts with accepting our differences and the differences of others. Instead of feeling sorry for or avoiding people with disabilities, we must recognize them as contributing members of our community who deserve the right to live on.

Tannia Ventura is a founding sister of Kappa Chapter at UC Santa Barbara. She will begin her Master's in Education program at Pepperdine University this fall and is currently working for the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development. We are proud of all she has accomplished, and we look forward to watching her continued success and positive impact on her community. 

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Meet your national board president, Camille Garcia. We think it's beneficial to get to know the women serving you and the rest of our phenomenal sisterhood. This is why we will be posting weekly profiles on our national board members. Read on to learn more about Camille. 

  Name: Camille Garcia

Position: National Board President

Chapter: Delta Chapter, Spring 2004

Family Line: Butterfly

Birthday: September 7

Favorite Food: Anything with pasta

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Artist/Song: Muse

Hobbies/Interests: Politics, Film, Books, Piano, Concerts, Food and

Fashion Blogging

  Why did you join Sigma Theta Psi?

I joined Sigma Theta Psi because the women I met in the organization before joining were just all-around awesome. Not only were they fun to be around, they were hard workers and they were leaders on campus. I admired what they stood for, how they

carried themselves, and how connected they were to one another.

I didn't believe in "sisterhood" until I met the ladies of Delta Chapter. When I did I, too, wanted to build meaningful and lasting friendships with women who shared the same values I did. I respected how driven Sigmas are to succeed and use their intellect, talents, and skills to empower other women and their communities. But what I truly respected the most was that — though they shared this amazing bond — every woman in the organization is unique, independent, and a pioneer in her own way, which only adds to the diversity and strength of our organization. Becoming a Sister of Sigma Theta Psi is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

 What are the goals for your term?

           Grow our Sisterhood by recruiting smart, driven and bold women to continue our legacy as women of substance.

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Meet Liz Vasquez: A Founding Mother

In 1991, eighteen strong women came together to create Sigma Theta Psi Multicultural Sorority. An academic and social sorority aimed at encouraging and supporting ALL women through their academic and life endeavors. This series will profile each of the 18 founding mothers, so we can learn more about our exceptional founding mothers and our organization’s rich history. Without further ado, I present to your our first Meet a Founding Mother profile.

  Name: Liz Vasquez

Birthday: February 8th

College Majors: Advertising & Art

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Type of Music: Pop, R&B, Rock- a little of everything.... (except Jazz and Bossa Nova)

Favorite Movies: Harry Potter Series, Twilight Series, Practical Magic, Love Actually, Warm Bodies, LOTR.

Favorite TV Shows: Grey's Anatomy, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Big Bang Theory, Family Guy, Friends reruns.

Career: Human Resources

  What is your favorite memory of Sigma Theta Psi?

My favorite Sigma memory was the day I was told by the director of student activities at SJSU that the university recognized Sigma Theta Psi as an organization, after so many others doubted it would happen! I still have the copy of the letter addressed to me.

  What is your favorite part about Sigma Theta Psi?

I love the bonds I've seen created because of the sisterhood. I love reading everyone's stories [on social media] and how their lives changed once they crossed. I love when sisters create all the beautiful artwork and share their amazing memories. The pictures I’ve seen are absolutely touching. I can feel the bond and it makes my heart happy and giddy! I swear it gets me teary-eyed every single time I see or read something new.

  Why did you decide to help create Sigma Theta Psi?

Ahh yes, the million dollar question! When I went away to college, it was a bit of a culture shock for me. I grew up in a very small town and I attended private school from kindergarten through high school, so you can imagine how different this was for me. At SJSU, the culture was so different and difficult to adjust to. I had no clue what it was going to be like. It was a completely different world from what I was used to, and I felt completely alone. I am the first in my family to attend university, so I had no warning how hard the transition would be. After adjusting a bit, a roommate and I set up meetings with other female students who had interest in perhaps starting a chapter for another sorority from Chico, but there was no spark. They were a Latina sorority and it just didn't feel right for any of us. The girls gave up, but I didn't. A year (and another roommate) later, Isabel Arias and I talked about it. So I tried again. I had Bea Gomez in a business class and told her about it. I met Tina and Lupe Pedroza and Blanca de la Torre at a party (of all places) and told them about it. Then we just spread the word to ladies that we felt had the right qualifications. We met some more wonderful and strong women and brought up the idea to them. We felt there was more of a need to integrate. There were so many 'traditional' sororities, Latina sororities, African-American sororities, an Asian sorority- everyone seemed so segregated. We realized we needed a multicultural organization to integrate and unify women of all backgrounds. We needed to support each other through our college studies as well as everything else life threw at us. It was challenging enough being in college as a woman. We felt we could support others to finish their studies and make a difference while incorporating other backgrounds. We all shared the same goals and dreams – to succeed in EVERYTHING we set our minds to!

What is your favorite tradition? Are there any in particular you created?

I love crossover. I haven't been involved in any recently, so I'm not sure if it’s changed much, but I love the fact that someone worked so hard to earn our beautiful letters and wants to continue this incredible journey. I created the original swearing in oath.

  How do you envision the future of our organization? Where do you Sigma Theta Psi in 10 years?

I really hope that one day we can have chapters across the country and overseas. That would be such an incredible accomplishment for our organization. Having at least one chapter in every country that our sisters all originate from. In 10 years I see Sigma Theta Psi stronger than EVER and to hopefully have expanded farther away. Perhaps seeing some of our [children] cross over.

  What embodies a woman of Sigma Theta Psi?

A woman with the drive to succeed both academically and in life to become more than what's expected of her. A woman with integrity and respect for herself and those around her (that deserve it.) A woman who leads her own life and future. A woman who never needs to depend on others to become herself. A woman with true honesty in her heart, her mind and her soul. A woman with an open mind- there is no place for ignorance in life. A woman who is loyal not only to her sisterhood, family, and friends, but to herself always. A woman of Sigma Theta Psi is and always will be a true Lady. Respect yourself and others will follow.

  What advice do you have for sisters of our organization, especially newer sisters? What should they do to be the best Sigma sister possible and realize their full potential?

First and foremost, find out who you are meant to be. Research it, think about it, explore your mind. If you made it as far as crossing over, you obviously have more potential than you give yourself credit for. At this point, you have already proved to yourself how dedicated you are to finish what you started. You can accomplish something so incredible. You are ALL meant to be someone great!! Be the best possible sister you can be and it will come back to you two-fold!! There will be times when you will just want to give up, but that is NOT what you're about and that is NOT an option for you- EVER! Call somebody- anybody. Even if you have never talked to them, any sister should be able to get you through the toughest times and you should be able to do the same, whether you have ever met each other or not. You are so much stronger than the average person. The sisterhood is here for you through thick and thin and you WILL bounce back from whatever it is. In reality, not everyone will get along the same way, but as sisters, no matter what happens, we all share the same respect for one another. We learn to grow up and put aside the cattiness that we as females are known for. We're not all going to be BFF’s, but we are all still sisters and united. Always have that in your mind. Always respect yourselves and those you share your letters with.

    Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Let it all out. Never be afraid to take a risk. Don't be a follower. Be a leader. You ALL have it in you. Don't sell yourself short. Reach out to a Sigma sister that you've never met. The experience is very rewarding.

I am so very proud at how far this organization has come. You all have made our amazing organization even better. I am humbled and honored that you have chosen Sigma Theta Psi and that I can call each and every one of you my sister. This is an extraordinary sisterhood unmatched by any other, and I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this amazing journey you have all chosen to take with me and the rest of the Founding Mothers. Eternally in love and Sisterhood, Liz E. Vasquez Sigma Theta Psi Founding President

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Sigmas Around the Globe: Macau

Macau: A place many of you may have never heard of before now- where I currently reside and work. Home to 500,000 people, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It shares a border with mainland China and, as a special administrative region, has a unique relationship with its neighbor to the north. Macau is a gambling mecca, and that is what has brought me to the island once held by the Portuguese. I serve as a procurement manager for a design-build arm of a hotel company. I love that my career provides me opportunities to grow as a leader and a professional in the industry. I lead a team of five in our Macau office, which supports the goings on in the Las Vegas branch (where a fellow sister also works).

  Living in Asia has granted me many privileges I never expected to be mine. Having never left the US before this opportunity arose; this journey has led me to seeing spectacular parts of the world. In fact, I write this as I stay at a hostel in South Korea as part of a short vacation to connect with old friends in a new city. Every morning I pinch myself, unsure when I will awake from this dream. Beyond that, it has also shown me how valuable our multiculturalism is after we graduate. By being part of a diverse organization that recognizes and values our differences, we know how to better navigate a global work environment. I have had flashbacks to sorority meetings along my stay so far, reflecting on these to pull ideas on how to come to a solution in the office. It is this characteristic about our sisterhood that will always set us apart - embrace it.

  Along the way, I have been reunited with friends from years past, met new people who have shown me hospitality in ways unseen before, and stayed connected to friends and family at home base. I now realize the importance of building meaningful relationships and networking. Stay connected to sisters after you cross. Build relationships by emailing a sister you have never met. Utilize social media to grow and find out about new opportunities. Utilize the sisterhood for all it can be to you, but bear in mind that which is given to you is expected from you as well. Pay it forward. Share information about job opportunities, accept a request to write a letter of recommendation for someone, and say yes to meeting a new sister when she visits your city. By being our sisters' keepers, we keep the purpose of Sigma Theta Psi alive. Technology makes it easy to stay connected no matter how many miles keep us apart physically: put it to good use.

  In sisterhood,

Mallory Cyr, Eta Chapter Alumna

To get in contact with Mallory, email her at [email protected].

*Sigmas Around the Globe is a series of members' experiences interacting with diverse populations. Would you like to share your overseas experience? Email our Director of Multicultural Education a [email protected]. 

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Lambda Chapter: One Year Strong

      Exactly one year ago, a group of phenomenal women established Lambda Chapter at California State University, Fresno. With only a year under their belt, the chapter has participated in multiple community service projects, raised awareness and funds for breast cancer awareness, and created a space that welcomes women from all walks of life into Greek life. The chapter’s sisters have big plans for its future and possess the determination and work ethic to make it possible.

      I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of our sisters from the newly established Lambda Chapter, and each one of them has fully embodied what a Lady of Sigma Theta Psi is: welcoming, friendly, dependable, respectful- the list could go on and on. I was also lucky enough to check in with the chapter and do a Q&A. Read on to learn just how phenomenal they are.

  Q. What made you want to start a sorority at CSUF? Why did you choose Sigma Theta Psi?

Lindsey Schaffran: I had always wanted to join a sorority, but I never saw myself in any of the sororities that were on campus. However when I was introduced to STP, I realized that they were much different than any other sorority I had encountered before. They truly embraced multicultural diversity and I loved that.

Jackie Nuño: At first I never saw myself as a sorority girl. I had pretty much gone my entire college years without being in a sorority, because I was never interested in what the sororities at Fresno State had to offer. Then I heard about possibly starting a new sorority on campus and I was all for it. I quickly learned all about Sigma Theta Psi, and I loved everything about the sorority.  It was different and unique. I definitely never saw a sorority like [Sigma Theta Psi] at Fresno State. I knew it would be awesome to bring a fresh, multicultural sorority to Fresno State.

What has been the hardest part of establishing and making a name for Sigma Theta Psi on your campus? 

            Marisol Lugo: The hardest part of making a name for STP on campus is the fact that we do have such a small number of sisters at Fresno State. I know some girls are attracted to all the traditions that other sororities have. Sigma Theta Psi has amazing traditions as well but as a fairly new chapter, Lambda chapter is still making traditions of our own. Other sororities have such large numbers and some girls are interested in that.

Q. What is your vision for Lambda Chapter?

Jessica Gomez: I hope to see Lambda Chapter flourish into a well-organized chapter, [and] into something bigger and better than Founding Class could ever imagine. As of right now, Founding and Alpha Class [are] setting the foundation needed to pass down our vision of Lambda Chapter to future [sisters]. It is a work in progress, but we are determined to make it happen! 

Jackie Nuño: My vision for Lambda chapter is to be recognized for all the positive things we do in our community. I want our chapter to be known for our wonderful philanthropy events. I hope in the next few semesters we are able to get into a council and get [more members].

  Q. Where do you see Lambda chapter in 5 years?

Dana Vacante: In five years, I hope to see Lambda Chapter established on campus [with] a diverse [group] of passionate sisters to carry on our sisterhood. Hopefully we will be on the council and have stronger bonds with other sororities.

Veronica Montes: I hope in 5 years Lambda Chapter will be established and will have made its roots grow deep within Fresno State’s campus. I see us being well known by the other Greeks on our campus. I would like us to be well-rounded and be able to [collaborate] with the Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, United Sorority & Fraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and other organizations.

  What are Lambda Chapter’s goals?

Jazmine Lopez: I want all of us to work more on fundraising. The goal is to build up our foundation even more than we already do. To get into council by the end of the semester is a big one for all of us.

Sabrina Flores: Our chapter's goals are to make a name for Sigma Theta Psi at Fresno state and get on the USFC council. We would also like to get more ladies to consider joining Sigma Theta Psi.

  Do you have any upcoming events?

Sabrina Flores: We just recently had a multicultural awareness event on campus. For community service, we will be participating in Kid's Day. We have a fundraising event at Panda Express on March 12 and at Tacos Marquitos in May. For philanthropy, we are tabling to raise awareness for breast cancer on March 11 and March 19.

        This young chapter has many aspirations and rightfully so. We have no doubt they will continue to do what Sigmas do best: make a difference. Happy one year to all of our sisters at Lambda Chapter! We can’t wait to see what other wonderful things you do next. To get in contact with our Lambda chapter, contact Veronica Montes at [email protected].

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A Future So Bright

I never imagined I would one day write a column like this, addressing hundreds of Sigmas, who are spread out across the country (across the world even) and busy doing what Sigmas do best: making a difference.

To be honest, I was anxious about taking on this role as National Board President, not knowing what lay ahead for me. I was certain it would be challenging, but I believed that it could also be rewarding. I saw this as an opportunity to give back to an organization that has been a major touchstone of support and strength in my life. I owe many of my fondest memories during my undergraduate career, and even today, to the lifelong friendships I have made through Sigma Theta Psi. For this, I am committed to seeing our organization flourish.

I am extremely proud and humbled to have this opportunity to lead Sigma Theta Psi, following in the footsteps of Becky Atchison and Sarah Johnson. I know I have big shoes to fill. I am positive that we will continue their good work because I have the privilege of working alongside a group of professional and dedicated women on the 2014-2015 National Board introduced to you below.

In January, we held our winter retreat where we got right to business and discussed our priorities for the coming year. There are several that we'd like to share with you.

Creating Transparency

On behalf of National Board, I want to assure you that we place a high value on transparency and being available to our Sisters. We will work hard to maintain open lines of communication among the Chapters and Sisters who need guidance and help resolving an issue.

You can trust that we will be thoughtful and fair in our decision-making and make choices that uphold Sigma Theta Psi's constitution and the core values we all subscribe to. This column itself is a way for us to engage with Sisters and keep you informed of our progress as an organization.

Engaging Alumnae

As National Board, we want to work together with our Chapters to reconnect with alumnae far and wide. Many Chapters are already exploring new ways to engage alumnae by harnessing the power of social media, creating monthly newsletters, and hosting alumnae events.

As an alumna myself, I know how busy we can be with family, career, and other life milestones and challenges; but, I encourage you to find a way to give back in any way you can, whether it's attending a Chapter event or spending time mentoring an undergraduate over a cup of coffee. 

If you are an alumna who wants to get back in touch, I encourage you to reach out to your Chapter President or to National Board at [email protected] or me directly. So we can reach you better, make sure we have your most updated contact information by checking in with Director of Alumnae Relations, Deborah Konishi. You can also take our survey to answer questions about yourself.

Strengthening Recruitment Efforts

We also want to work with our Chapters to boost Sigma Theta Psi's presence on campuses and recruit the best and brightest women to continue our legacy. One of our objectives is to collect and share best practices across our organization as a resource to guide Chapters through the recruitment process. We see this as a collaborative process and look forward to partnering with Chapters and alumnae to grow our Sisterhood.

Cultivating a Brand

In the vein of boosting our presence on college campuses, we also want to work on establishing our organization as a recognizable brand that is synonymous with excellence, integrity, success and poise, which are traits that I believe define a woman of Sigma Theta Psi. 

Much of this will involve managing our public image online, ensuring that we continue to represent ourselves in a positive light. If you haven't already seen it, take a look at our newly designed website launched recently SigmaThetaPsi.com. Our Director of Public Relations, Sarah Garcia, did a fabulous job updating our site and integrating our social media platforms so that Sisters can contribute and stay in touch from wherever they are.

Cultivating our brand will also entail seizing opportunities to promote our organization in full force. At the National Board level, we are brainstorming ways we can do this, such as streamlining our messaging and creating publicity toolkits to assist Chapters. At the Chapter level, you know your audience best and know where you can connect with them, but we encourage you to identify opportunities for improvement and share them with us so that we can lend guidance and input. 

We have a lot of work cut out for us this year, but speaking on behalf of National Board, I can confidently say that we are encouraged and motivated to do what Sigmas do best: Make a difference.

In sisterhood, 

Camille Garcia

Delta Chapter Alumna

National Board President

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Double D Brunch is almost here! Don't miss your chance to contribute to a great cause and have a fun time while doing it. Learn more about the event and buy tickets at www.sigmathetapsi.com

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We'd like to congratulate our Founding Chapter at San Jose State University for achieving the highest GPA in their council. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to our pillar of academic excellence. Keep up the great work, sisters. T-Psi!

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Angelina Jolie and the oncogene

It’s not surprising that Angelina Jolie’s announcement that she had preventive double mastectomy is big news. You can read about it here, here, here and here  – among myriad places.

The fact remains, though, that Jolie’s dilemma and decision is far from novel. It’s one faced by many women, almost all without the glare or notice of media.

With that in mind, we reprise a pair of Q&As posed to breast cancer experts at UC San Diego:  Teresa Helsten, MD, assistant clinical professor in the School of Medicine’s Division of Hematology-Oncology at Moores Cancer Center and Sarah Blair, MD, associate professor of Surgery at Moores Cancer Center.

Question: Angelina Jolie opted for her surgery based on the fact she carried the BRCA1 oncogene, which reportedly boosted her risk of breast cancer to 87 percent. How can a woman know if she should be tested for this genetic mutation?

Helsten: Above all, any woman (or man, in the case of breast cancer) who is concerned about the possibility of carrying a genetic mutation for breast/ovarian cancer should consult with her physician. Physicians may provide counseling or refer patients to trained genetic counselors for evaluation.

Things that might make a woman think about her risks include the following:

A family history of breast and other cancers: Think about both sides of the family (mother’s and father’s sides) and think about family members up to and including two generations away (up to and including grandparents or grandchildren). Any family that has two or more members with breast cancer or breast and ovarian cancer on the same side of the family, particularly if anyone has had breast cancer when younger than 50 years old, or has had two separate breast cancers. Any men with breast cancer.  Breast cancer and one of the following cancers on the same side of the family: thyroid cancer, sarcoma, adrenal cancer, uterine (endometrial cancer), stomach (gastric) cancer, and leukemia/lymphoma.

Being from a population at risk: People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a higher risk of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation.  Women who are Ashkenazi Jewish may not need to have as strong a family history of breast and other cancers to be considered for testing. However, women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with no personal or family history of breast cancer are probably not at risk.

Q: Once tested and the gene is present, what are a woman’s options?

Helsten: If a woman is found to carry a genetic mutation that increases her risks of breast and ovarian cancer, there are several things to think about:

What about screening for other family members? A trained genetic counselor or physician can counsel as to who should consider testing and how. When in doubt, other family members can discuss with their own physicians.

Does she want to do anything to reduce her risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer? If so, she will need to discuss carefully with her physician to help make the right decision for her as every case is unique. Options include increased surveillance (which doesn’t lower the risk of cancer, but increases chances of detection); taking risk-reducing medications (e.g., tamoxifen); and surgical removal of breasts and/or ovaries. For example, removal of both breasts by mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer by approximately 90-95 percent. These decisions can be very personal and very difficult, but the good news is that they almost never need to be made in a rush. It is worth taking the time to get informed in order to make a decision that is fits the individual.

Q:  Does having the genetic mutation for breast cancer mean breast cancer is inevitable?

Helsten: No, cancer is not inevitable, but the risks are usually quite high. Depending on the specific mutations discovered, the lifetime risks of breast cancer for BRCA1/2 carriers are estimated to be 56-84 percent. For ovarian cancer, the lifetime risks are a bit lower. They are estimated to be 36-46 percent for BRCA1 and 10-27 percent for BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Q: Last year, comedian and actress Wanda Sykes underwent a double mastectomy for “stage zero breast cancer.” People are fairly familiar with stages I through IV, which denote the progressive size and spread of a tumor and its likely prognosis. What is stage 0 breast cancer?

Blair: When I counsel my patients, I show them a picture to demonstrate the difference. Basically these tumors start in the duct, which is a tube that drains milk when you breast feed. Tumors that are stage 0 are confined inside the duct and cannot spread outside to other parts of the body. However, if the tumor is left alone they can eventually break through the duct and become invasive. Early treatment prevents spread of the tumor.

Q:  Was Sykes’ decision to have a radical mastectomy based on her family history of breast cancer typical for a stage 0 patient?

Blair: Most women are good candidates for breast conservation, which is removal of that area of the breast or lumpectomy plus radiation. I would also recommend the drug Tamoxifen for women with estrogen sensitive tumors. This drug treats the tumor itself and helps prevent future tumors. However, some women do not want to take Tamoxifen because of its side effects. For the average woman with stage 0 their lifetime risk of developing a second cancer in either breast is 20 percent. Some women with a strong family history of breast cancer, i.e. multiple relatives with breast cancer, may have a higher risk of a second cancer, particularly if they are diagnosed at a young age. These women may consider more aggressive surgical treatment to prevent future cancers.  Typically, most women do not have radical surgery but those that do have much better cosmetic outcomes than in the past.

Q:  Does a diagnosis of stage 0 mean that the cancer is 100 percent curable?

Blair: Unfortunately, nothing is 100 percent in medicine but there is a high likelihood of being cured.  The chance of being cured depends on the size of the tumor and its appearance under the microscope or grade.  In general the chance of being cured is greater than 90 percent.

Photo courtesy of AP

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Great read. Much more informative than entertainment-based media reports. Get the facts!

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Black isn’t a color you often find in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is therefore highly coveted. This is Cymbidium Kiwi Midnight, that being its commercial name. This flower is not actually true black, though it might appear to be. It is actually a deep burgundy.

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There’s no link between cancer and abortion — none.

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What does a Breast Cancer lump feel like?

When you do a self-exam, what are you feeling for? What does a cancerous lump feel like?

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I know we’ve mentioned Pink Ribbons, Inc., but I want to remind everyone during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to think about the ways that disease (and bodies) are commodified and marketed. Think, too, about the links between cheaply-made goods (especially plastics) and a higher risk for cancer for those who work in or live near factories. Remember that white women are the face of this crusade, but black women are dying of it at much higher rates. (Which is to say nothing of women of color who aren’t in the U.S.)

There have been many survivor-oriented documentaries about breast cancer, including Beyond Breast Cancer: Stories of Survivors (2008), Rachel’s Daughters: Searching for the Cause of Breast Cancer (1997), The Breast Cancer Diaries (2008). Youtube hosts clips from these as well as many other videos and short documentaries by and about people experiencing breast cancer.

It’s a theme that’s popped up in some fictional media, too, like Pieces of April (2003), Terms of Endearment (1983), and (this season) on NBC’sParenthood. Interestingly, in spite of of the multibillion dollar breast cancer awareness industry, there really are few weighty fictional accounts, especially from the perspective of the afflicted. Consider, too, the hypersexualization of breast cancer awareness, and how this contrasts with the inability of filmmakers to regard breast cancer survivors as sexual subjects themselves.

Can you suggest any others?

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Fact or Fiction?: An x-ray mammogram doesn't cause breast cancer.

Fact! Getting a mammogram won’t cause breast cancer. In fact, it’s currently the best way to detect breast cancer, being 90% accurate.

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Fact or Fiction?: A lumpy breast means you have breast cancer.

Fiction! In fact, most breasts are! Fibrocystic breast disease is common in women, which makes the breasts feel a bit like cottage cheese underneath. However, if you find a lump that is hard and immovable, ask your doctor to take a look.

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Fact or Fiction?: A breast self-exam is enough to notice a lump.

Fiction! On average, women can’t detect a lump smaller than the size of their elbow. A mammogram however usually detects a lump the size of the tip of your finger.