Litestyies EOTORERIVOE THE DAILY VOICE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26, 2014 5 Selfies for a cause #StopDropAndSelfie trend a “random anomaly,” said one Langara participant By MEL EDGAR that’s the idea behind #StopDro- pAndSelfie, the latest hashtag trending on Instagram and Twitter. After the Ice Bucket Challenge, #StopDropAndSelfie is the latest hast- ag to take off on Instagram that lets us- ers share their images — duck faces and all — with their friends and the public. “No! I just woke up!” said Jessica Keenan, a Langara student who is en- tering Studio 58 in January, describing how she reacted to being nominated by her roommate. “Someone tags you in their selfie and then you have to stop whatever you’re doing and take a selfie so you don’t get to put your hair down or get good light- ing,” said Keenan. The #StopDro- pAndSelfie is pos- sibly related to #StopDropAnd- SelfieforMS, a chal- lenge intended to raise money and awareness for Mul- D:: everything and take a selfie — JESSICA KEENAN Instgram trend tiple Sclerosis. participant I don’t know how this started, it probably — started as charity and now it’s just become a trend,” said Keenan, who has complet- ed and donated money to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Suzanne Jay, communications direc- tor of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, B.C. and Yukon Division said that they haven’t used the hashtag yet but still believes the trend is positive. “Anytime someone raises money or awareness for MS, it’s a valuable thing,” said Jay. On Twitter, some users are remind- ing people to use the full #StopDro- pandSelfieForMS hashtag. MEL EDGAR photo A student pauses from her studying and looks at a post with the hashtag #StopDropAndSelfie. The hashtag has been trending on social media sites Instagram and Twitter. Pai Photo courtesty of Wikipedia Living Christmas trees are increasing in popularity and are better than artificial trees, unless artifical ones are reused for over 20 years. David Suzuki Foundation’s Queen of Green says artificial trees have more of an impact on climate change than real trees By LENA ALSAYEGH avid Suzuki’s green advice blog “Queen of Green” has written an article on the best way to be earth-friendly when it comes to selecting a Christmas tree. The article cites a study conducted by Ellipsos, which revealed that natu- ral trees are in fact greener than artifi- cial ones. Artificial trees have three times more of an impact on climate change than real trees, unless the artificial tree is reused for over 20 years. Lindsay Coulter, David Suzuki’s ‘Queen of Green’ said the article was inspired by demand. “People started to have heightened awareness about green weddings, green Christmases, how to have a green vacation,” Coulter said. “It came out of people using a green lens to look at all their consumer habits.” Living Christmas trees are now in- creasing in popularity. Potted trees are available for rent to keep indoors for up to two weeks from companies like EV- ERGROW, founded by two UBC For- estry graduates. “What’s the point of just throwing away trees?” said Coulter. “You can just go get one for free.” Coulter herself opts for a natural tree, though she has tried planting a potted one unsuccessfully. “Tt takes some forethought and plan- ning. Don’t do it on a whim because then you’ll waste something,” Coulter said. According to Coulter the bottom line is to stay away from plastic. aah LINDSAY COULTER Known as the Queen of Green 66 What’s the point of just throw- ing away Photo courtesty of Wikipedia trees? Self-massage to reduce the rates of breast cancer Massage therapist Dawn Leonard says breast massage is an important skill for women to learn By KERA SKOCYLAS women who regularly massage their breasts, according to experts. One of the biggest benefits is that they suffer significantly lower rates of breast cancer compared to those who do not self-massage. The Art of Loving adult shop will be hosting a healthy breast seminar early in the New Year after recently having to cancel one on Nov. 26. The purpose of the seminar is to teach basic breast massage techniques. Dawn Leonard, who is a registered massage therapist in Vancouver, said teaching women to self-massage their breasts is very important since women aren’t usually taught to do it. Leonard said one of the biggest prob- lems for women is wearing tight bras. “Bras constrict the breast tissue which therefore keep the toxins trapped in our breasts,” she said. “By massaging we basically start revitalizing our breast tissue.” She advises women to wear a bra for a limited number of hours every day and take it off as soon as you come home. “Throw your bra off and take your boobs for a walk,” she said. “Shake them out.” Elaine Webb, senior director of health promotion and communication at the Canadian Breast Cancer Founda- tion, said self-checking and knowing at a young age how your breasts normally look and feel is very important for healthy breasts. “We encourage women to check T= are many health benefits for their breasts regularly, at minimum once a month,” she said. Webb said it is important to be aware of any changes in your breasts. “Massage the area in a circular fash- ion, up and down, sideways and if you feel anything that is different and if it persists you can mention it to your doc- tor” she said “nine out of ten times it will be nothing.” BREAST CANCER Canadian statistics 2014 ME sBreast cancer continues to be the most common cancer diagnosis in Canadian women. ME Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer- related death after lung cancer. HE One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. HE One in 30 women will die of breast cancer. HM inB.C., an estimated 3,200 women will be diag- nosed with breast cancer and 600 will die. HE The five-year survival rate in BC is 91.8 per cent. The five-year survival rate in Canada 88 per cent. Canadian women with breast cancer are surviving for longer periods of time — over 158,000 who have had a breast cancer diagnosis in the last 10 years are living. MM The breast cancer mortality rate is the lowest it has been since 1950. Source: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - BC/Yukon Region KERA SKOCYLAS photo Massage therapist Dawn Leonard tells women to“throw your bra off and take your boobs for a walk.”