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The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has once again taken flight, drawing in more than 500,000 visitors, representing 18 countries in the sky. More than 550 balloons inflate in the dark early hours of mornings of the nine-day fiesta to reveal the Sandia Mountain horizon glittered with vibrant colors and shapes. Albuquerque’s altitude ranges from just under 5,000 feet above sea level at its lowest point to nearly 7,000 feet in the Sandia foothills.

If you are under the age of 40, should breast cancer be on your radar? Are you high risk or moderate risk or little risk? With 7 percent of all breast cancer cases diagnosed before the recommended first mammogram at the age of 40, knowing your risk can lead to early detection and treatment.

Lovelace Women’s Hospital is presenting the Sixth Annual Girls’ Night Out from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, October 4 at Hotel Albuquerque, 800 Rio Grande NW. The free event will feature spa and wellness vendors and samples, a Dillard’s fashion show and a demonstration of the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. More than 350 women attended last year’s event.  The fashion show begins at 7 p.m. For information, call 898-3030.

Lovelace Bariatrics Director Dr. Duc Vuong joins us on the blog today to talk about how one powerful message can easily derail your diet when it shouldn’t.

What if you could dramatically reduce your risk of developing cancer by adhering to two principles? The American Institute of Cancer Research estimates nearly 30,000 women in the United States could be spared of endometrial cancer – affecting as many as 50,000 women a year – if they exercise for 30 minutes a day and maintain a healthy body weight, according to a recent review.

Heart disease and stroke deaths don’t have to happen. That is the finding of a report from the CDC stating that more than 200,000 deaths in 2010 were preventable. While progress has been made since 2001, with the number of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths decreasing by 30 percent, health care providers know there still is work that needs to be done. More than half of the 200,000 lives were under the age of 65.

Once a year, Lovelace Women’s Hospital welcomes families and former patients for a reunion unlike any other. As they unload out of cars with strollers, diaper bags, blankets, and bottles, those who were once our smallest of patients come back for an opportunity to see the doctors, nurses and staff of the NICU – their first home. It is an event Robynn Salazar didn’t think would be on her calendar year after year following the arrival of her first daughter, Zoey, a healthy full-term baby girl, but she makes the 230 mile trip every year with her family.

Known across the country for its chile peppers, Hatch Valley, N.M., is a spot on the map known well to foodies searching for the “it” ingredient of signature chile rellenos, chile verde and enchilada dishes. Even if you don’t consider yourself a foodie, you are if you live in New Mexico, where the state question is “Red or Green?” The state fruit takes a variety of forms in New Mexican cuisine, red or green, served roasted, as a sauce or dried and crushed into a powder.

Bumps and bruises happen when you are a kid, but did you know an estimated 23 million children under the age of 15 head into the ER for medical treatment? Of those admitted, 7 million children are seen for accidental injuries and Safe Kids Worldwide announced this week 1.35 million children end up in the ER with sports-related injuries. Sometimes it isn’t easy being a kid.