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A lot of us have heard a lot about breast cancer, but what exactly is it? Breast cancer is a lump of cells that rapidly grow and divide in various parts of the breast and breast tissue. 80% of breast cancer is formed in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts, the other 20% occurs in the lobules. Cancerous tumors usually grow very slowly and can actually be present for 10 years before being detectable by a self examination. However, a lump does not necessarily mean you have evasive cancer. It is very important to understand the difference between carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer.

When abnormal cells are growing in either the mammary ducts or the lobules, but have not spread outside of that area it is called carcinoma in situ. The term "in situ" means "in place" which describes the nature of the disease. The sub-categories of these diseases are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

DCIS is a disease where abnormal cells begin growing in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts. These abnormal cells carry a strong resemblance to those of invasive cancer - DCIS can actually become invasive cancer if left untreated. It is because of this reason that it is very important to frequently perform self examinations.

LCIS is a disease where abnormal cell growth takes place in the hollow areas of the lobules. LCIS differs from DCIS in the fact that LCIS cells do not have the potential to become invasive cancer. However, women that have LCIS are at a much higher risk of getting invasive cancer.

Invasive cancer is when these abnormal cells/tumor spread into surrounding breast tissues and organs. However, invasive cancer could still only be confined to the breast area. If invasive cancer is detected in its early stage, it can be treated with successful outcomes. But in more advanced stages, where the tumor has grown to affect other organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones treatment have lower success rates.

When a woman finds a lump it is very important to have it checked out; the odds of that lump being invasive cancer is about 20%. She will either need a mammogram or a biopsy. The mammogram will be able to provide more information about the suspicious area. A biopsy will give you and the physician definitive results as to what is causing the lump and whether it is dangerous.

We often assume that the chronically ill are in the minority, however, you may be surprised to know that nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness and about 96% of it is invisible. Are these women attending church retreats? Too many of them are suffering silently. They are depressed, isolated, and sometimes questioning if God really cares. Others, you will find, are some of the wisest, joyful, and spiritually mature women you will ever meet. They will touch your retreat attendees in ways that even the planned speaker will not. But are any of them coming?

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, took a survey about attending retreats. Out of the twenty respondents, seventeen participate less since they have a chronic illness. When asked why, the responses were as follows:

Three reported, "Accessibility issues (I know I can't easily get to and from different buildings at the retreat)"; 6 people said, "The pain factor. It's just too draining"; 4 responded, "The unpredictable health issues"; and 10 explained that it was, "A combination of the above."

So, how could you encourage these women to get involved again in your church retreat?

1. When deciding upon your retreat location, ask a lot of questions about the center and promote the fact that you have this information before people even register.

How steep are the hills? Are ride-in carts available? How far are the rooms from the main meeting center? Is electricity in the rooms? Are there only bunk beds? Can someone have a private room? Are there chairs besides the metal folding chairs? Elevators? One woman shares, "I stopped going a year or so ago because the retreat planner does not tell you what is expected, or about walking, stairs, etc. They need to be more honest." Those who attend retreats look for locations that are held at retreat center without a lot of walking, and preferably flat ground. Hotels or a large home are nice too. While you may think fifty yards is a "short distance," fifty steps may be one's limit. Provide actual distances on your flyer, not just "rooms are a short walking distance."

2. Understand that women desire to go on retreats and socialize with others, but they must feel that the retreat planner understands that they will be on their own schedule

Margaret, who lives with a malignant brain tumor and uterine cancer says, "I don't attend because people don't want to understand or accept that sometimes I have to retreat from the 'retreat.' Sometimes I have to go back to my room and get some rest. Other people decide that I'm escaping from my problems, and demand that I participate in whatever event was planned. I'm not trying to be anti-social. I will participate when God enables me to do so; but at the same time, when God tells me to rest, I must rest despite what the [retreat] 'timetable' states." As a retreat planner you can help this by posting the retreat's schedule at least a week before the event on the church's web site.

3. While you are deciding events such as ice-breakers or fun games, make sure there is something that those with physical limitations can participate in if they choose

If they don't want to participate in the relay race of dressing in costumes, let them do their own thing. Debbie, who lives with chronic fatigue syndrome says, "Unfortunately, I've yet to find a retreat planner who understands that I do not participate--not because I'm being uncooperative, shy or anti-social--but because I simply cannot physically do so; the result is that I don't attend church retreats."

4. Don't gasp when you see all the stuff she has packed

All women have necessities they pack to make their weekend more comfortable. For the chronically ill these typically include: their own bedding, chair cushions, pillows, snacks, pain patches, eye shades to sleep, or a flashlight and book to read in case she is awake all night. They may bring bottled water, the biggest collection of medication you've ever seen (don't comment), and perhaps even a service dog (which she should ask you about before the event.)

5. Though you have good intentions with your suggestions, remember that she knows her body better than you do, and she's trying to plan for her best experience

She realizes that riding a bus to the retreat center may throw her back out the whole weekend, so if she can go in a car with a staff member that modification is very beneficial. If she wears ear plugs or listens to music, don't take it personally. She may need to save her strength to socialize that evening. If she is diabetic, she may be eating small meals or snacks throughout the day. Don't comment, "Oh, we're going to be eating in thirty minutes, so why don't you just wait."

6. Acknowledge that she's not a prima donna; take her requests seriously

While she may insist that she get the bottom bunk bed and then pull out her own mattress and pillows, it's not because she thinks she is the Princess and the Pea. Some of her needs are likely medical requirements. One example is having electricity in the rooms for people who use something such as the CCAP machine which treats sleep apnea. (Out of 20 women surveyed, 2 of them were required to use one). She may also have medications that need to be refrigerated, and an ice pack won't keep it cold enough. So she may need access to a staff member who can get into the retreat center kitchen. Sheryl, lives with chronic myofascial pain, and she says, "Make sure there are always chairs available for those who can't stand more than a couple of minutes." Although it's unlikely you will be able to see the person's chronic pain, she may not be able to stand more than a couple minutes comfortably.

7. Allow her to keep her illness as private as possible

Marjorie says, "When an explanation is given in confidence, don't react so that everyone present knows that I have a problem," and Anjuli, who has congenital myopathy (a form of Muscular Dystrophy) agrees. "Don't single me out!"

8. Make scholarships available

Most people with illness are on a very limited budget. These women, however, are often too proud to ask for financial assistance for something they consider "frivolous"--which it is compared to paying for their monthly medication. Let them know scholarships are available.

9. Delegate someone to oversee the necessities of your chronically ill attendees

Find your "healthiest" volunteer with a chronic illness, or a cancer survivor, in your women's ministry who would be the staff member to communicate with attendees with chronic illness; one who would try to meet their needs and listen to their concerns. Those who responded to the survey by Rest Ministries still attend retreats and most often contact the retreat director beforehand to talk about health issues they may have. But dozens of other people sit in the benches at church and never consider attending a retreat because they assume it's not a possibility due to their illness. Make a special effort to reach out to women who have a chronic illness by adding an extra line at the bottom of your promotional flyer that says, "Do you live with a chronic illness? We have some special accommodations! We hope you'll make it this year!"

One of the most overlooked gifts in our church are those who live with chronic illness or pain. Despite their daily suffering, they have a great deal of wisdom and joy for the Lord. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 8-14, and is sponsored by Rest Ministries. It's a wonderful opportunity to look at your ministry's priorities. Who is not being served who could use your encouragement? And who lives with an illness and is missing out on serving others because they are not connected to the church? Get them involved! One day, one of them may be your retreat speaker.

Alcoholism is a disease. Sooner or later the drug simply overpowers the good sense and logical thinking of the drinker until they are no longer able to sleep, eat or breathe without first having "a little something to get them through". Unlike cancer, however, alcohol is also a choice.

Whether you hit rock bottom, or just realize that it's time to stop hurting yourself and your family, you are most likely to be successful with the professional help of the staff at an alcoholism detox center. These centers are designed to provide a safe, therapeutically environment for you to have the best chance of drying out.

Every person who works in an alcohol detoxification center understands the harmful effects of alcohol, and can sympathize (but not too much) with the struggling alcoholic trying to find their way clear of the hole they have dug for themselves. The most important person at an alcohol detox center is the counselor who is willing to help with that journey.

Every counselor at a quality detox center has experience with both the drug and the disease and is willing to give as much of their time and attention as necessary. These counselors range from the Doctor of Psychology to the recovered alcoholic and are often the difference between victory and failure for the recovering alcoholic.

Trained doctors and nurses experienced in the negative side effects of extended alcohol use are on hand around the clock to assist the recovering addict with any health care issues they may be facing, including (but not limited to) the side effects associated with "drying out." These individuals are not there in order to maintain a lofty position over the people who come to the centers seeking help; rather, they are there because they truly wish to help the fallen rise back up.

Through these important steps you can break your addiction to alcohol and gain new freedom from this disease. The professional staff at alcohol detox centers in your area is there to help you.

Really understanding and getting to the root of the causes of alcoholism and drug addiction isn't straightforward - because they are complex illnesses by nature.

Genetic factors and the fact that alcoholism and addiction is hereditary in many cases, certainly does play a role. But that only explains part of the story because ultimately we're all shaped by our environmental influences - parents, family, peers, experiences, media etc.

Now when considering alcoholism and psychology and the role the psychology of alcoholism plays in alcohol/drug addiction - you need to understand that our psychological profile is formed largely in early childhood - mostly through the influence of our parents and family.

If our family environment is generally loving, supportive and stable through our early years especially, we'll develop a healthy sense of self-esteem, feel generally comfortable in our own skin, and be relatively well-adjusted.

But if our early years are fraught with turmoil, instability or trauma - whether it be through having an alcoholic parent for example, losing a loved one, parents divorcing, being abused, or anything else that may affect us emotionally - we tend to develop various coping mechanisms to deal with that, which can then manifest in a number of ways (not always immediately though).

This could mean you find yourself developing a whole bunch of stuff - which could be anything from depression to anger, anxiety, different kinds of eating disorders and naturally various forms of addiction, including drugs and alcohol.

It's pretty likely that if you speak to an addict or alcoholic - that there will be something that happened when they were young that effected them pretty bad. For me having an alcoholic parent was tough to deal with - also because how that impacted on our family.

It doesn't, of course, always happen like that because naturally you will find that there are lots of addicts who had stable and loving upbringings. But when trying to understand the psychology of alcoholism and addiction, hopefully what I've shared with you will help.