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Page 6 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com October 22, 2010 More than awareness needed to fight breast cancer DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer Not that long ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer was hidden from friends and relatives. And the word “breast” was never used in polite company. Today, a brief survey of Clayton residents found that every person asked knew at least someone who had been diag- A Custom Rancher in Concord's desired St. Francis Park! This luxurious 2,500 sq ft home portrays quality from its stately corner court location with tasteful landscaping, to its hardwood floor living and formal dining rooms! 3 Spacious bedrooms plus a bonus room! Huge, level lot, close to Cowell Park! Get into one of Concord's best areas for only $549,000! ON THE GOLF COURSE at $525,000! This detached 2-story Oakhurst C.C. home on the 10th tee has a new granite kitchen, new tile entry, baths & laundry room, vaulted ceilings a huge Master-suite. RV Parking Pending nosed or been diagnosed with the disease themselves. Maria Sousa, executive director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure’s San Francisco Bay Area affiliate, acknowledged that preaching awareness is no longer a struggle. “I think part of it is that the attitude toward breast cancer has really changed in our society and in our country,” she said. Now is the time to buy. For a personal showing, call PETE at 890-6004. KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTS Pete Laurence, Broker, Realtor, GRI 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek Direct 940-2777 � Cell 890-6004 � Fax 937-0150 “Women are much more open if they have been diagnosed or if they are survivors.” That’s a considerable change since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was conceived by drug manufacturer AstraZeneca 25 years ago. “I really do think that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was helpful when it was first established,” noted breast cancer researcher MITCHELL CANYON ESTATES, LARGE LOT! Brand new, 40year roof. This single-storyranchstyle home has beautiful hardwood floors, new granite kitchen, and freshly painted. 12,000 sq ft lot with some views $509,900! DANA RIDGE LIVING AT ONLY $340,000! This detached Pending Pete can sell yours too! (925) 348-1704 www.CollegeFundsNow.com Low, low payments Sara saved $200 a month single story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath Clayton home has new dual pane windows, an upgraded kitchen, formal dining, a vaulted ceiling living room with fireplace and an ideal setting next to the greenbelt! DRE#00344166 Dr. Susan Love. “But at this point, I believe it has outlived its usefulness.” SIFTING THROUGH THE STUDIES The billions of dollars poured into research and early detection campaigns have helped raise five-year survival rates for early detection from 74 percent to 98 percent of diagnoses. Yet today some sacred cows are being sacrificed, and women are finding that they are their own best advocates in wading through the conflicting studies and recommendations. Mammograms used to be the gospel preached by breast cancer awareness groups throughout the land for early detection. But in 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force came out with recommendations that radically contravened current wisdom. No longer should women be taught to do breast selfexams, said the group, because if done wrong, they could lead to anxiety, distress and unnecessary testing. Nor were routine mammograms indicated until age 50, lest women incur unnecessary radiation. Soon afterward, a study from Norway showed that mammograms accounted for the decline in only a third of breast cancer deaths, with the rest attributed to increased awareness and better diagnostic skills in physicians. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wasted no time in issuing its own opinion. “The college continues to recommend that fellows advise mammography screening for their patients aged 40 and older and that they counsel their patients that BSE (breast selfexamination) has the potential to detect palpable breast cancer and can be performed,” the group stated. The congress further noted that the task force’s recommendation would have implications for insurance coverage of mammograms for many women. Tamara Steiner, owner and editor of the Clayton Pioneer, is a breast cancer survivor. She learned of her diagnosis at age 48, a few months after starting hormone replacement therapy. During a mammogram appointment, a vigilant technician spotted a dent on her breast. Further testing found a small but aggressive tumor. After more than two years of treatment that included a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, Steiner has been cancerfree for 13 years. Steiner noted that if she’d waited until she was 50 to have a mammogram, I’d be dead.” ‘KNOW YOUR BODY’ The amount of information on the types of breast cancer, from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to infiltrating and invasive tumors, as well as the means of detection and treatment options, can be dizzying. Risk factors include some that can’t be controlled -- such as age, racial background and family history – but also factors some believe can be managed. Alcohol intake, obesity and lack of exercise have all been linked to higher rates of breast cancer. Some hormone therapies have also been found to be connected to increased risk. “It’s hard to quantify a lot of that because they’ll (the scientists) associate a lot of different lifestyle habits with increased or decreased risk. But you can’t add them all together,” said certified Museum, from page 1 for the second annual “Whispers of the Past” event. Children from two fourth-grade classes at Highlands and Mt. Diablo elementary schools were invited to join in as a field trip to the museum. “October is archaeology month in California,” Spryer noted. “Last year was the first time we had it and we heard about that through Christine.” During a demonstration behind the museum, McCollum showed off the tools of the archaeologist’s trade – including 4.49 % New / Used / Refi nance As low as brushes, small tools and measuring devices. Some archaeologists even use GPS units. Inside the museum, children and adults were asked to match up ancient tools, toys and devices to their current counterparts. McCollum, a resident of Sacramento, has been involved with archaeology for about 10 years. She was inspired to become an archaeologist while reading her grandmother’s National Geographic magazines. “It’s very important to study ❑✔ No payments for 90 days** ❑✔ Up to 125% fi nancing ❑✔ Rate applies to NEW cars ❑✔ Rate applies to USED cars (2000 or later) *APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is based on applicant’s credit history and other underwriting factors. This rate reflects the 0.25% discount for automatic payment and 0.75% for being a valued TCU member for more than six months or a new member with TCU checking and monthly direct deposit(s) that total at least $500. For example, at 4.49% APR for 60 months, payments are $18.65 per month per $1,000 financed, based on $0 down on a vehicle that is 10 years old or newer. All loan rates are subject to change daily without notice. Please visit www.traviscu.org for current rates on vehicle loans. TCU vehicle loans are not eligible for refinancing. **The interest on your vehicle loan will continue to accrue from the date your vehicle loan is funded and transferred. Everyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Contra Costa county is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply. physicians assistant Elizabeth Sivesind. She noted as an example the higher number of diagnoses in women with college educations. “But you can’t say college causes breast cancer,” added Sivesind, who sees female patients every day in the Walnut Creek office she shares with ob/gyn Dr. Margaret Craig. Julie Durand, manager of the Muir Cancer Institute Cancer Program, also suggests taking many of the studies with a grain of salt. “I just don’t think there’s one set of rules – I think every person is different. And depending on their family history, you have to look at all the components that are part of your history,” Durand said. “It’s hard to just come out with a golden rule really.” Both experts counsel women to get information from more than one source and suggested Websites including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (acog.org) and the American Cancer Society (cancer.com). In the meantime, most women surveyed plan to continue having mammograms every year or two after they turn 40. “The alternative is, I think, far worse,” Clayton resident Kelly Tuohey, 42, said of her decision. “How else are you going to catch it if they’re saying don’t even do self tests? I don’t know what the answer to that is.” In addition to regular mammograms, Duran said the answer is often self-awareness. “The bottom line is you just need to know your body, no matter what,” she said. “There’s a danger there when we don’t know our own bodies.” APR * for 60 months ❑✔ Rate applies to REFINANCING (for non-TCU fi nanced vehicles) Yes. You can join. ® (800) 877-8328 www.traviscu.org Clayton Valley: 5442 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 10 Concord: 1257 Willow Pass Road science. Science is a very big part of what we do, obviously,” McCollum said. “Being really strong in the sciences and being comfortable being outdoors are important. Those are two things one needs to focus on.” According to McCollum, field work is essential in her profession. “You need to go out and learn the field methods and at least get a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. If you want to continue this as a career, you need to get a master’s degree,” said McCollum, who has an undergraduate degree from UC Davis and a master’s from Cal State Sacramento.
October 22, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 7 CVHS grad hits No. 1 on country music Billboard After graduating from Clayton Valley High School in 1994, Michael Busbee set out to make it in the music business. “Our Kind Of Love,” a song he co-wrote, recently ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts. He also has produced and written music for numerous recording artists and is now known professionally as just Busbee. “It’s for branding purposes,” he says. The 34-year-old musician, composer and producer has amassed a large body of work in a relatively short time. He’s worked with artists such as Katy Perry, Timbaland, Tony During the fire season April to November, fire protection and emergency response services out of the Sunshine Station are funded by the state. During the off-season, these services have been covered by a contract between ECCFPD and Cal Fire. To help close this year’s budget gap of $1.8 million, the East County directors decided in June not to renew the 2010- ’11Cal Fire contract. That leaves the Morgan Territory/Marsh Creek area without a nearby fire station for six months out of the year. Emergency response during the off-season will come from Antioch, Brentwood or Clayton – increasing response times for structural fires, medical emergencies and auto acci- JIM HUDAK MUSIC NOTES Braxton and Lady Antebellum. He’s placed his music into films and commercials and has released two solo albums as an EP with his band, GoNorthToGoSouth. Busbee was born in Walnut CalFire Contract, from page 4 dents by as much as 20-30 minutes. Property owners have already seen skyrocketing insurance premiums, as much as 300 percent. Some residents won’t be able to get insurance at all. Debbie Bell, who lives on Leon Drive, will be without fire insurance Nov. 1. Others have seen premiums increase from $1,500 to more than $4,000 a year. “We didn’t know what the response time would do to insurance rates,” Stonebarger noted. Property owners were not aware of the station closing until insurance bills began to arrive. The only public notice of the decision was in the East County Times, a paper with no circulation in the affected area, Creek, then spent the rest of his early years in Concord and Pittsburg. He attended CVHS for all four years. He began studying jazz trombone at an early age, citing CVHS band director Steve Ernest as the person who introduced him to jazz. “I never intended to be an artist,” says Busbee. “I was committed to being a behindthe-scenes guy.” Eventually, Busbee found his way into the world of pop music. He came to realize that it was music “with its own sophistication.” He decided it was a good vehicle for communicating to more people, whereas “jazz was more akin Morgan said. The East County board will hear from area residents at the Nov. 1 meeting, when the issue is on the agenda. They may reconsider the decision and could decide to draw on reserves to keep the station open, said Stonebarger. “Talk to us, tell us the issues.” “Spread the impact around,” said one member of the audience. “Why should we have to take 100 percent of the impact?” East County is looking at options for raising addition revenue including putting a parcel tax on the June ballot. The board meeting is at 6:30 Nov. 1 at the ECCFPD office, 3231 Main St., Oakley. to fine wine.” Jon Bendich, a teacher in the East Bay and San Francisco, further guided Busbee’s journey into pop music. Through Bendich, Busbee met Eric Valentine, an established rock/pop producer from the Bay Area who was moving to Los Angeles. In 2000, Busbee moved to L.A. to become Valentine’s assistant. “After moving to Los Angeles, I signed a music publishing deal and that pretty much changed everything. It allowed me to write songs full-time, which is what I love the most,” Busbee explains. “The next big thing was having my first hit song, a song called ‘Summer Nights’ that was recorded by Rascal Flatts.” Talking with Busbee, I can sense his pride and determination, yet a certain down-toearth quality remains. He’s grateful that business has been pretty steady and urges aspiring musicians to keep at it. “I would rather speak to people who have a talent and a passion and say that so much of it is just showing up. I mean, there are a lot of talented people out there, but showing up, working hard and being a good person to work with and a person of integrity – those things have all mattered and have opened doors for me,” he says. “I’ve had perseverance and I’ve built relationships with people and I haven’t given up.” Songwriting is extremely competitive, and it took more than eight years in Los MICHAEL BUSBEE Angeles before things really began to happen for Busbee. It was refreshing to hear that the basic values of perseverance and treating people right have guided him in a cutthroat field that leads many people with dreams to give up too quickly. “No one particularly needs my songs,” he notes. “There are a lot of great songwriters out there. But I’ve built relationships in an open way because I tend to love people. It’s been a long story in the making.” Clayton resident Jim Hudak is a noted musician, recording artist and composer. You can mail him at jimmydak@pacbell.net. Letter to the Editor VOTE FOR LIBERTY Far too often in these pages we read the opinions of supposed knowledgeable authorities who impart their views and vision for Clayton as one that is “central” and “important” to our future. They talk about the “need for more revenues” as if that is something the government creates when in fact it is the people’s property that they seek and wish to con-scribe. These individuals feel compelled to advise us to follow and vote in manner to support their vision of Clayton because supposedly their service entitles them to a profound knowledge that they alone know what’s best for us. Our founders believed in limited and accountable governance and they revered the rights of individuals and organizations especially when it came to the use of private property and hard-earned treasure. As you evaluate your vote why not ask what do they want these revenues for? Why do they need more? And, why is their “vision” and “Plan” the only one you should consider? – Glenn D. Miller Clayton, CA Submit your letter to the editor on this or any other subject from our Website at www.claytonpioneer.com or email to tamara@claytonpioneer.com The Pioneer -- It’s your paper!
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