WELCOME! And first off, I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you for your wonderful letters of support and encouragement! I am both saddened and encouraged by some of the experiences you have shared with me over the last few years. But it has also made me more determined to build an online community where we can try to help each other more meaningfully than has been possible in the past. I hope this will be a great start to an ever-growing opportunity for us both to gain greater insight and develop deeper friendships. I also hope that you will find it not only a comfortable and fun place to visit, but more importantly a one stop resource for some of the important information you're really interested in.

I decided to start with a few features in this area, based upon the issues you were raising in your letters to me. But please keep in mind that this really is a GROWING COMMUNITY and is therefore open to ANY and ALL of your other ideas or suggestions. PLEASE feel free to share your thoughts with me by emailing often! Many of you run your own businesses both in and out of cyberspace, so you know all about the daily demands and the hard work that goes into being a happy and successful woman in our chosen careers! If there is something I can post here or some information I can gather that you feel would be helpful and beneficial to others... please write and tell me about it.

As some of you may have already heard, my husband Guy and I were blessed with the birth of our first child this past June and while we're both very excited we are also both VERY NEW at this! So it would be wonderful if that HELPFUL and BENEFICIAL information passing could work in both directions!! I know there are a TON of you wonderfully gifted and experienced mothers and grandmothers out there and I'm so hoping to hear from every one of you!

Diet and Fitness!...

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Your letters to me often ask what I do to stay in shape or if I'd ever done an exercise video. I don't often have any more time for a strict exercise routine then many of you and I am WAAAAY less disciplined about it than most of you that write! I have to admit however that during my pregnancy (when I gained over 60 lbs.) and certainly now that my little bundle of joy has arrived, I actually am a lot more focused on my personal fitness and I MAKE the time to eat right, drink lots of water and get some daily exercise. One of the easiest ways I've found to improve my diet is THE ZONE GOURMET. Oh you STILL have to do all the exercise...sorry... absolutely no way around that ladies... but the Zone Gourmet takes the hassle out of the food!

And as for the exercise....I did make a low impact aerobic exercise video a few years ago and have made arrangements to have it made available to any of you that might be interested. You can check it out by clicking the store link at the top of the page.

In-Vitro Fertilization ...

The Miracle of Motherhood

As a lot of you may know, on September 6th, 1998 after meeting each other on a blind date (yes, I recommend blind dates to everyone out there as you never know who you're gonna meet!) and dating for a year and a half...I married the man of my dreams....restaurant owner Guy Starkman. We wanted to start a family right away and prayed we would conceive on our honeymoon. Month after month we would get our hopes up and be sadly disappointed. After two years of trying, our hopes were not high of being able to conceive naturally and we decided to seek the advice of a Fertility Specialist. After my husband and I were given test after test we were told we had 'unexplained infertility.' As crazy as this sounds I was hoping they would find something wrong so we could work on curing a specific problem. We were told it could take years for me to become pregnant naturally. Longing to be a mother and now in my 30's, we decided to look into IVF -In Vitro Fertilization.

There are several options for couples struggling with infertility and IVF seemed like the best one for us. As you will read in more detail below...after a series of daily shots (ouch!) IVF involves collecting eggs and sperm from a couple and placing them together to fertilize outside the body. The fertilized eggs are then transferred into the women's uterus, where implantation and embryo development will hopefully occur just as in a normal pregnancy. What they don't always tell you is this procedure doesn't always work on the first try. The dream of Motherhood is not always the easiest road and at times we lost faith. But we knew in our hearts it was all so worth it. So AFTER my fourth IVF and a GIFT procedure I finally got pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy! So for all of you still struggling with these same issues....remember....See your dream, envision your pregnancy, and believe! :-) (Addtional infomation about Cindy's doctors and GIFT can be found at www.tlcfertility.com)

Like I said earlier, there are several options for couples. And I want to share with you one option that is, crazy as it seems, new to the United States. It’s an advanced IVF procedure that requires few, if any shots. As you already know, that’s something I (and many of you) can appreciate! It’s called Mini-IVF (Oral Therapy Minimum Stimulation IVF). Mini-IVF follows a woman’s natural cycle and is gentler to her than conventional IVF. What’s also important is that it’s equally as effective and at a fraction of the cost. Since some of those shots can cost as much as $600 per dose you can understand why I'm very excited about this new advancement. In fact, I’ve become so impressed with how Mini-IVF works, that I have joined Dr. John Zhang at the New Hope Fertility Center in New York www.newhopefertility.com to bring awareness to an advancement that is already turning heads within the medical community. Dr. Zhang, renown worldwide as a pioneer in reproductive health, is the only physician in the U.S. performing Mini-IVF, even though doctors around the world have been providing this opportunity to women for years. For more information about Dr. Zhang, the New Hope Fertility Center or the Mini-IVF procedure, please click on the links provided.

Important In-Vitro Update: For so many of us struggling with infertility for which our health insurance provides little or no benefits, I have recently been made aware of proposed legislation, that if adopted, would be well... nothing short of a miracle! For this reason, I'd like to share this information and this website - WWW.RESOLVE.ORG - here and with everyone who e-mails me on this issue. Together hopefully we can make a difference. I pray for that day.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gina Cella
Cella Communications
T: 781-334-4692
ginacella@comcast.net

Neil Cirucci
Cindy Margolis Inc.
T: 888-773-8838

INTERNET ICON, SUPERMODEL CINDY MARGOLIS
TO SERVE AS NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON FOR
RESOLVE: THE NATIONAL INFERTILITY ASSOCIATION

Cindy Margolis shares her infertility experience and joins RESOLVE
to serve as a voice for women and men struggling to build a family.

"Infertility can be hard physically, emotionally and financially. It's by far one of the toughest challenges you will ever face. It is truly a miracle when a pregnancy is achieved, no matter what medical means are used. No one should be ashamed of infertility. Becoming a mother has been the greatest achievement and most humbling experience I've ever known. It has been a time of such anticipation, optimism and dreaming...and fear, insecurity and self doubt...but I've never been happier! I want everyone who wants children and cannot conceive naturally to know they have options. It is all worth the journey when you hold your precious child in your arms." Cindy Margolis: Internet Star, Supermodel, Actress, Author and Mother.

BETHESDA, MD, JUNE 7, 2005 -- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association announced Cindy Margolis will serve as RESOLVE’s National Spokesperson. Cindy and her husband, well-known restaurateur, Guy Starkman, experienced "unexplained infertility." In their fifth attempt at in vitro fertilization (IVF), they succeeded in becoming pregnant with their son, Nicholas, now almost 3 years old. Cindy and Guy are about to become parents a second time, with twin girls in July 2005, with the help of a surrogate.

"We could not have been more pleased when Cindy chose to work with RESOLVE, to help create greater awareness, information and support for the thousands of women and men struggling with infertility," said Joseph C. Isaacs, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer, RESOLVE. "Cindy is a young, dynamic, vibrant woman, and an international celebrity, who is passionate and articulate about the challenges of infertility and its impact on more than six million Americans hoping to fulfill their dream of parenthood. She and her husband, Guy, know first hand, the emotional and physical challenges of infertility, as well as the true joy of having a baby."

"Guy and I knew we wanted to have children right away. But after two years of trying to get pregnant, we needed to seek help from an infertility specialist," said Cindy Margolis. "Honestly, did we ever think our perfect family would be conceived by IVF and a surrogate mother - no, of course not. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is still perfect and a blessing."

"I am delighted to work with RESOLVE, to help raise awareness about the issues and support people experiencing infertility. RESOLVE is such a well-respected and valuable organization, I am grateful to be able to contribute to the important work being done to support family building issues, from lobbying for greater insurance coverage, research and public education to helping more women and men cope with their challenge and make informed choices about their treatment and other options," Cindy added.

Cindy Margolis (http://www.cindymargolis.com/) is the perfect celebrity spokesperson for RESOLVE and to be the 'Face of Infertility' as she has the attention of such a wide variety of audiences and markets all over the world. She is loved and respected for her leadership, beauty, Internet feats and passionate infertility awareness, education and support. A true American success story, the most popular celebrity on the Internet, Cindy is also an accomplished Supermodel, Actress and Author. Cindy was named one of People Magazine’s "50 Most Beautiful People," and has been featured in numerous television, radio and print media. Cindy is currently writing a book titled, "The Girlfriend's Guide to Having a Baby ...When the Old Fashioned Way Isn't Working," with famed author Vicki Iovine. She is also shooting a fertility documentary to bring this important issue out of the dark and into the illumination of mainstream awareness.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, is a consumer-based, nonprofit group that, since 1974, has provided education, advocacy and support to those struggling with infertility. Each year, National RESOLVE and its network of more than 40 chapters across the U.S. handle over 1.5 million contacts from people seeking information about infertility. For more information, visit the RESOLVE website at www.resolve.org.
# # #

Also... for more about Surrogate Parenting, please read the information provided below and feel free to contact
the Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP) at their website - www.creatingfamilies.com.

Raising a child is one of the special joys of life. Unfortunately, nearly one out of five couples is denied this experience because of problems beyond the control of the medical profession.

The Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.(CSP) & Egg Donation, Inc. are world renown surrogate parenting and egg donation programs with offices in California and Maryland. CSP was established because we strongly believe that couples who are ready and willing to take on the responsibility of parenthood deserve that opportunity. Having a child with the help of a surrogate can be an exciting and fulfilling way to meet that need. Unlike some alternative methods of creating a family, the surrogacy process allows a child to be biologically related to either one or (in the case of In Vitro Fertilization) both parents. It also gives the couple the opportunity to become involved in the pregnancy itself. And finally, since their child is conceived only because of their own existence, the true genesis of the child is its creation in the minds and hearts of the couple.

You can also join the growing community of surrogacy families and their wonderful stories at www.surromomsonline.com.

Please meet read my surrogacy profile below and meet our very own Special Surrogacy Angel and her family, Shannon Strenger.

Dearest Surrogate Mother,

Hope this finds you happy and well. We wanted to take this moment to introduce ourselves to you and to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story and considering being our Surrogate Mother. You are truly an amazing woman and we could never begin to tell you how much this means to us. We are so very excited to start our journey. We never gave up faith and always believed in our dream of having another baby. We know now our dream will come true someday. We feel so very grateful that you are reading this and we would be so truly honored to call you our surrogate Mother and life-long friend. We are looking so forward to sharing this pregnancy together and having a wonderful fun filled family future with you!

We are Cindy and Guy and ours is truly a story of love at first sight. On September 6th, 1998 after meeting each other on a blind date (yes, we recommend blind dates to everyone out there as you never know who you're gonna meet!) and being together for a year and a half...we married the person of our dreams. Guy says he knew right away that I would be a wonderful wife and Mother. He felt that I was a strong woman...yet soft, caring and compassionate. He still sweetly tells me that he can't believe that he found someone as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. My heart still melts every time I hear him say that. For me...I also knew right away that Guy would be an amazing partner and Father for the house full of babies we were sure to have. He was a good man. Kind, patient and more tolerant of others than anyone else that I had ever met in my life. He was also himself, still a "little boy at heart" and could make me smile in the same way a toddler's smile touches the heart of a stranger.

We didn't waste any time in deciding to try to get pregnant. We wanted to start a family right away and prayed we would conceive on our honeymoon. We would have been so thrilled if I came back with morning sickness. But, unfortunately for us, that was the beginning of month after frustrating month of getting our hopes up that we would get pregnant only to be sadly disappointed. After two years of trying, our hopes were not high of being able to conceive naturally and we decided to seek the advice of a Fertility Specialist. After we were given test after test (if there was a 1 in a million chance I had something I wanted to be tested for it) we were told we had 'unexplained infertility.' As crazy as this sounds we were hoping they would find something wrong so we could work on curing a specific problem. We were told it could take years for me to become pregnant naturally and there was also the possibility that it would never happen.

Longing to be a parents and now in our 30's, we decided to look into In-Vitro Fertilization as it seemed like the best option for us. It was heartbreaking when our IVF didn’t work on our first try. The dream of parenthood is not always the easiest road and at times we lost faith. But we knew in our hearts that someday, all we would be put through, would be so worth it. And it was when after my fifth IVF and a GIFT procedure
I finally got pregnant! We were so happy to finally be pregnant ...it was truly amazing... there are no words to describe the joyous feeling!

Although I had a very hard pregnancy, for us, being pregnant was a time of such anticipation, optimism and dreaming...and fear, insecurity and self doubt. We had never been so scared or so happy! I was in the High Risk Pregnancy Unit of the Tarzana Hospital at 24 weeks of pregnancy due to many complications that risked our baby’s life. I also had to stay on bed rest until I delivered. And to add even more stress at this particular time of our life, we were told another child would just be too risky. On June 9, 2002 when our healthy, happy baby boy Nicholas Isaac was finally born... we weren't just relieved...we were the most joyous and the most grateful of any two parents you might ever meet. He was indeed our little personal miracle.... our very own glimpse of heaven wrapped up in a little blue receiving blanket. He was beautiful! And becoming his parents that afternoon in June was the greatest achievement and most humbling experience Guy and I have ever known. We thank God everyday for our precious Nicholas and as we watch him grow, we realize all over again how truly blessed we are to have him in our lives. There are moments when I watch Guy and Nicholas play together that I think my heart will just burst...it is so full of love and happiness! When I hear him holler 'Mommy come see'... or 'Mommy come play'... I have to sometimes stop the tears from welling up in my eyes ... remembering a time... not so long ago…when I thought I would never hear anyone call me by that name. As much as I thought we wanted a child... as wonderful as you can only imagine being a parent is...Guy and I have both learned that it is just so much more! There are nights you can't sleep... for sure. But in exchange you get moments you can't describe. Moments you can't imagine could ever be yours. Moments you just can't believe will ever come again! And then they do…the very next day…when your little guy wakes you up with a great big "Good Morning Mommy and Daddy!" Nicholas has changed our lives in so many wonderful ways. He has taught us that as much as we thought we knew...we know nothing! We learn new and wondrous things every day just as he does. As happy as we thought we were...there is no limit to the happy moments ahead for our little family.

As much as we thought we could love... we can love more! We'd like to tell you a little bit about us as individuals and about our family. I will tell you about Guy first...Guy is a restaurateur who along with his family owns several great family friendly restaurants in Southern California. I joke that I married him for the food! He is 34 years old, a little over 6ft tall and weighs about 190 lbs, he has dark curly hair with brown eyes. He is a big sports fan, loves to play basketball and cannot wait to take Nicholas to his first Laker game. He is very funny, loves music (even though it’s hard to get Guy up on the dance floor…I think he‘s a great dancer!) and one of his favorite things to do is have big BBQ’s in our backyard with family and friends. Guy is a people person. He is very loyal. He is our family's rock. Sometimes I wish he was more emotional, but he’s always there for me if I ever need someone to talk to or just someone to listen. Guy is my very best friend. He is an incredible Father and role model for Nicholas. The love he feels for his family is on display... every day... in his eyes and in his actions. Guy’s devotion to our family is marked by his gentle strength and guidance. There is nothing Guy wouldn't do for us. You hear people talk about how they would lay down their lives for you. Guy actually would. Without hesitation. He gives us an incredible feeling of always being safe and secure, which allows both Nicholas and me the freedom to continue to grow and explore as individuals. He's a hard worker, a wonderful provider and at the end of the day... no matter how hard that day may have been for him... he will bring home love and laughter.

Now I’m going to turn it over to Guy…Cindy is 39 years old, 5ft. 7in, 128 lbs., blonde hair, brown eyes and has a smile that lights up a room. Cindy is a self-made Internet icon. She first took the Internet world by storm with her innovative website offering everything from sisterly advice to e-commerce. In our home life, she's basically a homebody who enjoys nothing more than staying in with family and friends, hanging out in her sweats and going to a movie over attending a Hollywood event. One of her favorite things to do is to rent a big bouncer for all the neighborhood children to play in. Many times I've watched her climb in right behind all the kids and I have to wonder who's actually having more fun…her…or the children! She loves kids, animals and all the happy, silly, gooey, simple things in life. Chocolate milk, mud pies and messy little boys are always involved in what she might describe as a 'good day'. She has a heart bigger than all the world and spends as much time as possible doing charity work. She also assists to further the cause of the numerous women’s issues that she so passionately believes in. She enjoys spending time with her girlfriends and truly treasures her friendships. She's a great Mother to Nicholas. Always by his side to give him support and confidence. Always thinking of what's best for him in even the smallest of decisions and choices that we both have to make each day.

Cindy’s attention to detail where our son is concerned is mind boggling to me... and yet it comes as natural to her as taking a breath. She is a great help to me and has taught me a lot about being a Father by the example she sets as a Mother. Although my work takes me out of the house for most of the day, she makes sure I don't miss any of Nicholas’ important achievements no matter how minor. At the end of each day, I either get a detailed accounting or an entertaining re-enactment…a show just for me...starring my two favorite people in the world...Cindy and Nicholas! Although she likes an organized house, she's really a slob at heart. But that's okay as she always provides a home and a home life that I can't wait to return to each day. One full of laughter and love, hope and enjoyment. I appreciate her and love her and Nicholas more than words can express.

The past two years of our lives have been amazing. The three of us have built a family stronger than anything we've ever imagined it could be. We truly never thought life could hold this much happiness. But as much as we have and as grateful as we are for it all, we cannot help but to long for another child to share all our love and happiness with. To be able to give Nicholas a little brother or sister to grow up with would be a true miracle. All you have to do is look at the smile on Nicholas’ face to see how happy he is, how well taken care of and how much he is loved. And after a few minutes you'll also see how smart Nicholas is too! He loves his family with all his heart and will make the best older brother. He is already so good with babies and loves his younger cousins with such vigor and careful consideration that we often watch in awe of his ability. We both came from families with siblings and we were so hoping not to have an only child. Guy has a younger brother Jason who is married and has two children (we are their Godparents) and we see them often. I have a younger brother Cory who was recently married in our backyard and plans to start a family soon. My brother and mother live close by and the family all gets together on Sundays. Nicholas and his new brother or sister are lucky to have all four grandparents available, healthy, and looking forward to welcoming a new baby and you and your family to our family.

We live in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles where I grew up (yes, it’s true, I’m a Valley Girl!) in a beautiful gated friendly community where we feel very safe and secure. Our neighborhood is filled with nice families and we live in a cul-de-sac where children can ride their bikes and play without fear. Our house is fun filled with a play room and a great backyard. We’re big animal lovers and have two of the cutest cats you’ve ever seen! On Nicholas’ next birthday we’re going to get him a puppy!

Being blessed with Nicholas was the best day of our lives. Nicholas gave us the gift of love, warmth, joy, heartache, wonderment and the satisfaction of becoming parents. We never knew we were capable of feeling so deeply. That's why we know from the bottom of our hearts that we will be good parents to another little boy or girl. We have a strong marriage and are building an even stronger family unit. The addition of a brother or sister for Nicholas, another son or a lovely daughter for us, can only make our family stronger and more complete. We will always be there for our children ...to help them... to guide them... to laugh with them and to cry with them when necessary. But most importantly, we will be there every day of their lives to love them with all our hearts.

Honestly, did we ever think our perfect family would be conceived by IVF and a Surrogate Mother - no, of course not. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is still perfect. Having a baby was a miracle. Being able to meet you is a blessing. You are an Angel. In a selfish world, you are giving so much of yourself and to a family by giving them the precious gift of life. You are touching so many peoples lives. We look so forward to hopefully having a wonderful family future with you that will include as much 'sharing' as you feel comfortable with. We would very much like to be there with you for most of your appointments, but we will also understand if you only want us near for the big events! We remember how it is to be pregnant…some days you absolutely love having your family all around you and involved... other days you're happiest with just a little bit of space for yourself! We truly want what YOU want! We love children, so if you would prefer to go to your appointment some days and be treated to an afternoon of pampering... (maybe a pregnancy massage and a nice nap!) ...we'll be there to make it happen and to baby-sit so you can have that time for yourself. On other days maybe just sending a cleaning person over or dinner for you and your family would be a greater help. We are in the food biz so all your cravings will be taken care of…we make the best Snicker Cake!! Our point being, whatever your wishes, or whatever the day may demand from you, we would very much want to help in any way we can. Our instinct would be to shower you with all the love and attention you so rightly deserve. We'll be there for you without question. We want to make this as easy as possible for you and a great and happy experience for both our families. You and your family will forever have a place in our hearts and in our home. We have always felt that family built through love can be just as strong (and sometimes stronger) than family's connected through bloodline alone. We have many special people in our lives with whom we've built extended family relationships through love. We hope to embrace you and your family in that wonderful extended circle in our very near future. All our thoughts and prayers are with you and we so hope to meet you very soon.

As most of you already know, I'm a major proponent of Breast Cancer awareness! We all sometimes take our good health for granted and unfortunately that can lead to disastrous results for ourselves or for those we love! So I've posted some basic Breast Cancer information below along with some frequently asked questions as provided by the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations. In future months, I will be updating and adding to this information based upon your letters as well as notifying you of any local events and awareness activities going on in your area. Please take a few moments to look it over and if you have a story to share, please feel free to send it to me!

My design for this year's annual BRAS FOR THE CAUSE event! The event raises funds for breast cancer initiatives.

Q. What factors increase breast cancer risk in younger women?
A. Simply getting older and being a woman puts every woman at risk. However, certain factors have been identified which increase the odds:

Family History -- A woman is considered at higher risk for breast cancer if she has a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Some five percent of all breast cancer patients, but as many as 25 percent of women diagnosed at age 35 or younger, are believed to carry a breast cancer gene, BRCA1 or BRCA2. A carrier of BRCA1/2 may have as high as an 85 percent lifetime chance of developing breast cancer.

Atypical Hyperplasia -- This type of non-cancerous breast disease is characterized by a growth of abnormal cells within the breast ducts. Premenopausal women with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia are at increased risk for later developing invasive breast cancer.

Pregnancy -- A woman who has her first child after age 30 or who has no children has a slightly increased lifetime risk of breast cancer.

Menstrual History -- Women who began menstruating before age 12 or completed menopause after age 55 also have a slightly increased risk.

Oral Contraceptives -- Although the link between the birth control pill and breast cancer risk remains unresolved, published reports have shown increased risk for women who used oral contraceptives for a number of years. Older studies examining risk may not be comparable to studies that report risk based on today's most frequently-prescribed estrogen-plus-progestin birth control pill formulas.

Alcohol -- Recent studies have found an increased incidence of breast cancer in women who consumed one to two drinks or more a day.

Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin's Disease -- Young women successfully treated with upper-body radiation for malignant lymphomas (principally Hodgkin's disease) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Exercise -- Frequent and regular physical exercise, at work and at leisure, has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk, however, studies of the effect of exercise are ongoing.

The role that diet, weight, and environmental factors might play in the development of breast cancer is still unknown and is under investigation. Studies have been contradictory in all of these areas. A low-fat, high-fiber diet may protect against many diseases, and several studies have shown that overweight women have a risk of breast cancer, risk that increases with body size.

Q. Does breast size affect breast cancer risk?
A. No. There is no correlation between breast size and cancer risk.

Q. Does smoking cause breast cancer?
A. Although the majority of studies have not found that smoking causes breast cancer, several studies have shown a link between components of tobacco smoke and breast cancer, and some studies have shown that smoking decreases a woman's chance of surviving breast cancer once diagnosed. The carcinogenic effect of smoking on most body tissues has been well established, and smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States today.

Q. What can I do to decrease my chances of developing breast cancer?
A. The best chance a woman has to fight breast cancer is to find it and treat it early. No one knows what causes breast cancer or how to prevent it (although recent results from a government-funded study of the treatment drug tamoxifen in high risk women are promising). NABCO believes that all women should follow these steps for good health: At age 40, begin having annual screening mammograms (breast x-rays). Mammograms are safe, and all mammography facilities must be government certified, assuring a high-quality test.

After age 20, have a nurse or doctor check your breasts every year.

Be familiar with how your breasts feel and what is "normal" for you. Examine your breasts every month, and see a doctor if you feel or see any changes that don't go away after one menstrual cycle.

Eat a low-fat diet, don't smoke, exercise regularly, and drink in moderation, if at all.

Q. Why aren't younger women encouraged to get regular mammograms?
A. Major medical organizations do not recommend that women under 40 get regular mammograms, in part because the disease is unusual at that age and in part because the frequently dense tissue of younger women's breasts can make x-rays harder to interpret.

Women under age 40 should have a nurse or doctor check their breasts once a year, and should also examine their own breasts every month. Any breast changes should be evaluated by a nurse or doctor. However, if a woman has a family history of premenopausal breast cancer (especially in a mother or sister), she should talk to her doctor about when to have additional screening, including mammograms.

Q. Do young women have a different type of breast cancer than older women?
A. Women under 40 are sometimes diagnosed with more advanced cases of breast cancer. This may be due to a delay in diagnosis, in part because young women may not be in a regular screening program. In these women, tumors are larger and their disease is more likely to have spread to the lymph nodes. However, most experts feel that the disease itself is not different in young patients, although this is the subject of ongoing research.

Q. How is breast cancer treated in young women?
A. Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer must decide on the course of her treatment with her physician. Treatment can include a lumpectomy (removal of lump with some surrounding tissue), available to the vast majority of early-stage diagnoses, or a mastectomy (removal of breast). Lumpectomy must be followed by radiation treatment for the maximum survival benefit. Chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy are often recommended after surgery to decrease the chance of disease recurrence.

Q. Does chemotherapy cause infertility?
A. Some young women treated with chemotherapy retain their fertility after treatment is completed, and others find that their period does not return after chemotherapy or hormonal treatment. Several studies document safe and successful pregnancies in young breast cancer survivors. A woman considering pregnancy is generally counseled to wait two or more years after treatment, the period in which cancer is most likely to recur.

I recently had the pleasure of working with author Lauren Greenfield on her new book... GIRL CULTURE. If you know a young girl growing up in today's world... if you're the parent of a young girl growing up in today's world or if you ARE that young girl growing up in today's world... you really need to check out the Girl Culture website and/or pick up your very own copy of Lauren's new book!

Some excerpts from Girl Culture reviews.....

Lauren Greenfield's new book poignantly delves into the real lives of American girls. "I learned from the popular girls," says Greenfield, "how hard it is to stay on top." By Michelle Stacey* (American Photo Magazine)

Girl Culture, a new book by photographer Lauren Greenfield reveals the insecurities, dreams and secret rituals of American girls. What emerges is a portrait of two generations growing up too fast. American girlhood ain't what it used to be. Maybe there are pockets of girls out there who still revel in the "Little House on the Prairie" books or dress up their dolls or run lemonade stands. But they aren't catching the eyes of sociologists, who seem to agree that girls today are growing up in a hyper-sexualized peer pressure-cooker — and they don't show up in "Girl Culture," a new book from photographer Lauren Greenfield. Even the youngest girls in Greenfield's gritty, gorgeous portraits are far too busy dressing up like Barbie dolls to play with them. By Jessica Reaves (TIME)

Accompanying the photos are essays from the girls themselves -- from an 11-year-old at fat camp to a long-term anorexic to a group of seventh-graders getting ready for a party, the shared thread is the desire to be beautiful. Beauty is everything. Greenfield's portraits reveal the disturbing hunger, the need to be desired, even objectified, that typifies the lives of these ordinary girls. In one of the essays, pin-up queen Cindy Margolis says, "It just kills me when these girls look at magazines and wish they could look like that. I try to tell them, 'Nobody looks like that.' " Dorothy Woodend (Vancouver Sun)

The 21st Century is an empire of images. We are preoccupied with appearances that are shaped and pored through the lambent vessel of the camera’s lens. Women’s bodies, Joan Jacobs Brumberg has observed, have become “public projects.” Femininity has become increasingly exhibitionist in nature--not that this is exactly a new trend. Lauren Greenfield attempts with her photography “to deconstruct the illusions that make up our reality.” A new book and photo exhibit of Greenfield’s titled Girl Culture is a wide-ranging look at the ways in which women make their bodies a public project. Ray Zone - (Art Scene)