Happy October! October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease is near to our heart as NuFACE’S founder Carol Cole has been a breast cancer survivor for over 14 years and is deeply committed to ensuring that all women have access to appropriate testing and information that can help fight against this disease.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in 2011 alone, 230,480 women and 2,140 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. Out of those diagnosed, 39,520 women and 450 men tragically lost their lives to cancer.
In her efforts to support the cause, Carol created a pink NuFACE device to create awareness and raise funds. Two dollars($2) from every purchase of the Pink NuFACE kit is donated to the Look Good…Feel Better Program, not just in October but throughout the year.
The Look Good…Feel Better program teaches women beauty techniques to help them manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. NuFACE and Look Good…Feel better have a common goal: to make women feel beautiful again, inside and out. “We admire the courage and strength of women and men battling this disease and only hope there is a cure in the near future. To those courageous ones who’ve faced this disease, and to those of you who are currently facing it now, NuFACE sends all of our support and love” says Cole.
Lisa Robinette, PR Manager for NuFACE had the pleasure of sitting down with Carol Cole who told her amazing story about her own battle with breast cancer. Here is her inspiring story.
LR: How did you find out you had breast cancer and how did you handle the news? CC: I first discovered I had a lump on the right side of my breast in 1997, it just came up overnight. At that time I was seeing a naturopath and she said my lump was probably just a swollen gland. I decided to visit a preventative doctor, had a mammogram and then I was directly sent to a surgeon to do a biopsy. I was really shocked as I had always practiced a healthy lifestyle.
LR: How did it affect your day-to-day life? CC: I went into it very optimistic and positive. I had a double mastectomy and woke up cancer-free. My doctor advised I do chemotherapy, radiation and tamoxifen. I weighed my options keeping in mind the side effects of treatment. I never went back! During surgery the doctor removed lymph nodes discovering 2 out of the 16 lymph nodes were infected. I felt strongly that with a healthy diet and holistic alternatives I could beat this. I went to a wonderful health program called Optimum Health Institute (OHI) ̶
www.optimumhealth.org ̶ located here in San Diego where I eliminated toxins with wheatgrass, rejuvelac, juice fasting, raw organic food, colon cleansing and exercise. I did that class for 3 weeks and I’ve never felt better.
LR: How did having breast cancer affect your self esteem? CC: After having a double mastectomy I felt alive, and knew my purpose was unfinished, I still need to do what I came here to do. A dream of mine was to develop a homecare microcurrent device for personal use that would allow my clients to keep their faces beautiful in-between professional treatments. When I found out I had breast cancer I really didn’t go through a grieving process. I just hoped I would get through it and move forward with my life. I wanted to develop NuFACE and with the support of doctors, family and friends… thankfully, I’ve achieved my goal.
LR: What was the hardest part about having breast cancer? CC: Reconstruction was the most difficult. It was a year-long process; remember this was fourteen years ago when technology wasn’t as advanced as today’s procedures.”
LR: What advice would you give others in the same situation? CC: Have a good doctor, do your research, be in-tune with your body, and adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a fresh, live food diet. I believe unhealthy, processed foods can possibly lead to cancer. That is why I have changed my diet, purchase only all organic foods and take vitamin supplements on a daily basis. I also love the Vita-Mix Blender, I can’t live without mine!
LR: Why did you choose the Look Good…Feel Better Foundation? CC: It was very important for me to partner up with this amazing foundation. Being in the aesthetic industry since 1985, making people feel good about themselves has been my life. I know women need to be looked after and cared for, and this organization gives women what they need.
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.
LR: How do you feel now? CC: I feel great. My life is just beginning and I have so much to live for, to explore and to experience. I have my two daughters who work side-by-side with me at the Carol Cole Company and two healthy grandchildren. After going through breast cancer I wanted to give back. I took my experiences and what I have gained to help support others. It is truly rewarding to uplift other’s spirits.
Thank you Carol for the interview. We hope this blog entry encourages people to be pro active in the fight against breast cancer. Please remember to get your annual mammograms, do monthly self breast exams, and practice proper nutrition. Thank you for all of your support!