Information with a 'pink flair'

HOUSTON - There's so much happening in the world of breast care that Rhonda Turner needed a magazine to get it all out there.

In December, the executive director of the American Association of Breast Care Professionals (AABCP) will launch an online magazine, "MeasureUp!"

"It's a full range of information geared toward the professional with a bit of a pink flair," said Turner.

The monthly magazine will include a feature article, new product reviews, fitter highlights, calendars and events, and other professional information for post-mastectomy fitters, nurses and other breast care professionals. It will be available to AABCP's 973 members.

One feature Turner's particularly excited about: "A fresh approach," which highlights fitters who are creating niches in response to local demographics, like different age groups and different types of surgery.

"There are a lot of women out there doing amazing things, but it's not the cookie cutter type boutiques," she said. "For example, there is a woman in Texas who sees quite a few male breast cancer survivors and lymphedema patients. I am not sure that the industry as whole knows that's happening."

For now, a journalism intern is handling a lot of work on the publication, and eventually, Turner will seek advertisers. The online format allows flexibility, especially during the first few issues while they get their feet wet.

"It's easier and it can be refreshed," said Turner. "We can have more fun with it than if we have to deal with printing it every month."

This isn't Turner's first foray into publishing. In May, she published "Boutique MBA: Post Mastectomy Business Basics," the first book in a series that seeks to help post-mastectomy boutique owners run their businesses. Now in its second printing, the book is available at www.aabcp.org and on amazon.com.