As it is DERMASCOPE’s 40th anniversary, we decided to expand on all of this year’s special sections. In our September issue, we are using our pages to focus on breast cancer and how it has become intertwined within the spa industry. We took every angle we could when it comes to breast cancer and aesthetics. We interviewed oncology aestheticians, researched cutting edge complementary spa treatments, tackled common breast cancer myths, and that’s just the first few pages. We began working on this issue before summer even started; we have talked to the best of the best and they all provided stunning perspectives on this topic. Tata Harper provides a compelling article on some of the chemicals that skin care professionals should avoid using on their clients and recognizing a truly organic company, while Jan Ping writes about seeing the positive side of breast cancer. This section also includes an article by Anne Willis detailing the effects of a mastectomy on a client’s range of motion and piece by Noreen Young on her personal experience with skin cancer on her breast. The section is rounded out with an article by Kate O’Brien about how her mother’s breast cancer encouraged her to create natural and safe cosmetics and an article by Morag Currin on oncology aesthetic benefits and the psychological impact of breast cancer. What I found when working on this content was that breast cancer patients can find much relief in the spa. There are dozens of alternative therapy treatments and countless relaxation techniques that skin care professionals can provide clients with cancer. Professionals can even go a step further and become certified in oncology training, providing clients the special understanding of treating cancer patients.While our special section starts on page 89, a majority of the departments within this issue also theme the pink ribbon topic. AIA’s Makeup Trends focuses on makeup tricks for creating believable eyebrows on cancer patients, 10 Things About… highlights common cosmetic chemicals to avoid that have been linked to breast cancer, and What’s Your Recipe concentrates on tips for catering to breast cancer patients. Furthermore, this month’s Worth a Look showcases leading professional products in our industry that are giving back to the cause, while an oncology therapist is the focus of Trade Secrets. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is represented each October, but for us at DERMASCOPE, we focus on this cancer a month early. We bring light to the topic each September so our readers can have time to soak in the educational content and implement the valuable information to their business. Enjoy this issue and soak it in! Amanda Strunk MillerAssociate PublisherWant to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.