Adjusting Her Straps

Bolivar resident turns family adversity into national franchise.

When Linda Bamber’s mother and sister were diagnosed with breast cancer six months apart, she didn’t rush to get a genetic test. Instead she turned to the internet to research breast health and prevention techniques and started compiling information. She also expanded her nutrition business to teach other women new ideas she had learned about protecting breast health.

Several years later, the information she gathered was introduced in a series of breast health seminars that she gave in Oct. during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“As I began speaking around the Mid-West and holding workshops, I was amazed at the passion women had about sharing these same ideas with their mothers, sisters, and circle of friends. When I presented a workshop to ten women, and three of them asked how to start their own business, I decided I had a valid franchise idea.”

Six months later, with 300 pages of franchise work behind her, Linda launched her first internet franchise sales and began contacting the interested women who had been waiting on the legal paperwork. BRAS or Breast Research Awareness & Support is now sifting through applications from around the country. “Everything I have been writing and developing for the last seven years dovetails into the BRAS franchise system. It’s great to pull all those ideas together to share with women across the nation, and around the world.”

She is also kicking off the grand opening for her Springfield office located at 3550 N. Glenstone, Suite C, during the last week in July. It is the first retail store of its kind in the nation…a place where women can go to learn about many options for improving and protecting their breast health.

BRAS specializes in breast thermography, a series of digital infrared thermal images that can give warning signals up to ten years before a mammogram.1 All without pain, pressure or radiation! Thermography is making a comeback today as a result of some new technology available from the armed forces. ”I like to say from bombs to busts.” says Linda laughingly. “You have to be able to take a serious subject and put some laugher into it. After all, emotions play a big role in our recovery process.” A few other tag lines Linda uses in her brochures are also fun and engaging. Learn the bare facts, bust the myths, and adjust your straps…Ladies, we can protect ourselves.

BRAS thermography provides the real picture for early intervention while education, individually or in workshops, provides prevention techniques that are low-cost, effective, natural and drug-free. All information stresses a balanced program of self-examination, clinical examination, thermography and mammography as needed.

Linda’s years of research and experience has been compiled into an 18 chapter book that serves as a teaching manual for her franchisees. Her 8-10 hour workshop series was divided into smaller monthly newsletters and teaching units that women can apply quickly to their lifestyle. Most of these are ideas that you will never hear from the medical community…they are prevention techniques. Breast health products that she has been developing for several years are also available with her catchy BRAS logo.

“We have a fear factor in our society today…we are afraid that every lump or bump is cancer, when actually about 80-90% of them are benign. Recently, a woman set up a thermogram appointment at 6:00 pm. on Good Friday. She had a mammogram reading come back positive and had been told to think about surgery over the weekend. Her thermogram report came back later that evening showing signs of fibrocystic problems. I was able to give her ideas that she could do to improve her breast health…and she saved herself a biopsy. “ Dr. Mercola estimates that at least six billion annually is spent on needless breast biopsies and surgeries.2

Beverly Vote, editor of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine says “BRAS will change the face of how we look at breast health and teach us to focus on prevention –not just detection.” Dr. Mark Wallace, D. C. of Overland Park, KS added “this information will not only change lives…more importantly it will save lives.”

Linda is currently working on other ideas to keep women abreast of true prevention techniques through her BRAS franchises. After all, it’s a pressing concern.