Top 10 Ways To Prevent Breast Cancer

1) Keep your BMI (body mass index) under 25: Breast cancer is often detected in later stages in obese women who more often than not, do not have as strong immune systems to help fight off the disease. Grab a partner and hit the gym this weekend!

2) Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week: Doing physical activities such as brisk walking can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 15-25%.

3) Avoid alcohol at ALL costs!: In 2000, the National Institutes of Health actually listed alcohol as a human carcinogen! One drink a day can raise your risk of breast cancer.

4) Diet from the past: Eat like our ancestors used to! Fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, no sugared drinks or refined carbohydrates.

5) No hot flashes? No need for hormones!: Hormone therapy may increase your risk of breast cancer. Although it is OK to use hormone therapy at menopause to assist with those unworldly symptoms, however, it is probably a good idea to take them no longer than 5 years.

6) Consider estrogen-blocking medicine: If you are over the age of 60 and breast cancer runs in your family, you may want to consider certain types of drugs that can actually help you block estrogen from your breast cells!

7) No Smoking!: We all know smoking leads to lung cancer, but did you know it can lead to breast cancer too? Active smokers and exposure to second hand smoke can increase the risk in premenopausal women by 20% or more!

8) Put the baby formula away: Breast feeding your baby plays a significant role in the risk of developing breast cancer. Your body produces more of the hormone prolactin which in turns lowers the amount of estrogen in your breasts. In countries where breast feeding is done for longer periods of time, the number of women that develop breast cancer is much lower than that of the United States. The longer you can breast feed, the more protected you are.

9) Become a lab rat: Taking part in ongoing research is a great way to learn about new and improving ways to lower your risk of breast cancer while helping other women find answers too.

10) Show your support: Joining the fight against breast cancer by attending a charity event, walking for a cure, or making any donation can all help raise money for breast cancer research.

Read the full article here...

Navigating The Legal Maze of Cancer

There are over 12 million cancer survivors in the United States.  As cancer treatments have improved, increased attention is being paid to the field of cancer survivorship.  What do survivors need? How can we support them?

A 2005 report by the Institute of Medicine, “From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition,” recognized that employment, insurance, and financial issues should be addressed in order to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.   

When people hear the dreaded words, “you have cancer,” the last thing, if at all, people think about are the legal issues that they may face because of their diagnosis.   

Many of those people are unaware of their rights and the resources available to assist them through the vast maze of legal, employment, and insurance systems.  And most of those individuals are completely unaware of the financial impact that cancer may have on their lives.

Take Paul, for instance.  Paul is 35 and has been working his way up the ranks at ABC Company for ten years, since graduating from business school at the top of his class.  He was married three years ago, had his first child two years ago, and bought his first home last year. 

Paul has just learned, after an annual visit to the doctor, that he has a thyroid cancer.

Paul’s diagnosis sends him reeling down a path in a maze of cancer-related legal issues.  As the maze twists and turns, Paul knows that he can’t take a wrong turn, or he may lose his job, his insurance, or even his home.  Overwhelmed by decisions that need to be made and deadlines that need to be met, Paul now has to inch his way down the road in front of him, trying to figure out  . . .

·         Can he continue working through treatment, or if he will need to take time off work? 

·         Can he get a reasonable accommodation to help him continue to work through his treatment? 

·         If he takes time off, does he have to disclose his diagnosis to his employer?  

·         What are his company policies? 

·         Will his job be protected?

·         Will any period of leave be paid or unpaid?

·         If he does take time off or loses his job, can he keep his health or life insurance coverage? 

·         If he does lose his health insurance coverage through his employer, what are his other options for health insurance coverage now that he has a pre-existing medical condition?

·         Does he qualify for state or federal disability insurance benefits to maintain his income? 

·         How will he be able to pay his bills or take care of his family? 

·         What if he becomes unable to make health care or financial decisions for himself?

The list of questions goes on and on.  At each turn in the maze another question/issue/potential problem arises for Paul and he isn’t sure where to turn for help. 

Fortunately for Paul, and the millions of other cancer survivors like him, there are organizations and agencies stationed out there in the maze that can help him find his way. 

Nonprofit organizations such as the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) (www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org) can help people understand their options and rights.  The CLRC provides a national Telephone Assistance Line (866-843-2572) where people can get free information and resources to address their cancer-related legal issues, including navigating the legal issues in the workplace.

Cancer and Careers (www.cancerandcareers.org) is another nonprofit organization that specifically focuses on the practical issues related to work and cancer, including disclosure, balancing cancer and careers while working through treatment, and free online job search tools and career coaching for those seeking employment.

In order to help people figure out what health insurance options are available to them based on their specific situation, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has created a new online portal, www.Healthcare.gov.  This website was created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform) and provides information about specific health insurance options as well as information about recent health care reforms.

Cancer can be a life-altering experience.  But arming oneself with information about legal rights and options can help slay any dragons that may be hiding in the maze of cancer-related legal issues. 

Joanna L. Morales, Esq. has served the cancer community as a cancer rights attorney, advocate, speaker, and author for over 18 years.  She is currently Principal at North Star Alliances, a nonprofit and business consulting firm.  She was formerly the Director of the Cancer Legal Resource Center and an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School, teaching cancer rights law.  She can be followed on Twitter @CancerRights.

Chicken Nuggets

Dear Dr. Bone,

My mother hates it when I eat McDonald’s food. She says that the chicken nuggets are loaded with chemicals. Would I be more likely to get cancer from eating too many chicken nuggets? If so, what kind of cancer?

Junk Food Junkie 

Dear Junk Food Junkie,

Hard question to answer. I won’t single out one fast food chain. Most chicken nuggets bought at a fast food restaurant are made with combinations of chicken meat and what are called by-products. These are other parts of the chicken including the tendons that attach muscles to bones. They grind the meat into a paste and add food starch, dextrose, and other flavorings. There is no documented evidence that the contents of nuggets cause cancer and it is highly unlikely that eating nuggets now and again will cause cancer. However, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits will help to prevent cancer. So, if you are going to eat chicken nuggets and fries, you’d be smart to order the apple slices or carrot sticks to go along with them!!!

Dr. Bone

Convincing A Friend To Quit Smoking

Dear D. Bone,

I know this is not exactly a question about cancer, but I thought you might help. My sister died of lung cancer after smoking for 40 years. My nephew is now a grown man with children. He smokes like a chimney! He watched his mother die but won’t quit. Is there anything that can be done to convince him that he needs to stop smoking now?

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

It is hard to believe that someone who has watched a loved one die of a smoking related cancer still smokes themselves. Remember, smoking is an addiction, and a lesson learned from Alcoholics Anonymous is that you cannot change a person who is addicted. They must want to change themselves. All you can do is love and support them. His own family can make rules that he cannot smoke inside the house because of the risk of exposure to second-hand smoke, but more aggressive intervention will probably not work. Until he is ready to quit smoking, any nagging, warning, prodding, or begging is in vain. I suggest that you simply make him aware that you are available if that time should arrive. Then, there are medications, support groups, hypnotism, laser, acupuncture, etc. to make it easier.

By the way, for those of you inclined to quit smoking, there is an urban legend that for each year you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer goes down. Unfortunately, former smokers make up a considerable portion of lung cancer patients. The risk remains high for a very long time. Please, please use that as motivation to quit NOW.

Dr. Bone

Elective Second Mastectomy

Dear Dr. Bone,

I just celebrated 5 years out from my breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction with a matching augmentation implant to the other side for symmetry. This week I had a suspicious mammogram on my remaining real breast. I am a wreck waiting for the biopsy. I don’t think I can go through it all again. Do you think the surgeon would be wiling to remove my breast regardless of the biopsy result? I think it will be the only way I will sleep peacefully.

Anxiously waiting,
Jupiter

Dear Anxious,

If only I had a penny for every patient in your shoes...Your situation is not unusual. There is no question that the prospect of having another cancer is almost unthinkable. The good news is that statistically it should not be a cancer. My advice is to take it one day at a time and not try to predict your reaction ahead of time. If you wish to have a mastectomy regardless of the biopsy results, you should discuss it with the surgeon. As I have mentioned many times, I have never heard a woman regret that she had bilateral mastectomies, only that she didn’t! If your insurance company does not feel that it is a procedure they want to pay for, you will need to address that issue. The cost-benefit analysis would seem to fall in favor of the surgery over years of imaging with follow-up extra views, sonograms, MRIs, and even biopsies. Should you get a second cancer, it would then be very costly for your insurer to pay for surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Having said all that, it can be tough to convince some insurance companies that they should pay for the prophylactic surgery.

Good luck.
Dr. Bone                                

How To Convince A Friend To Get Genetic Testing

Dear Dr. Bone,
My friend was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer. I remember reading your column that mentioned it could be hereditary. I want to tell my friend that she should ask her doctor to be tested, but I worry that I am invading her privacy. What do think?

E.R.


Dear E.R.,

I can see how your situation is a sticky one. On one hand you are concerned for your friend’s health and the health of her family members. On the other hand, discussing personal issues like genetic testing can seem too private. There is no one right answer. However, if you put yourself in your friend’s shoes, you might be able to figure out what to do. If she tests and is positive, she will be able to help save her children, siblings, and grandchildren from going through what she is experiencing now. If she tests negative, she will know that she did not pass on a very high risk to develop fallopian tube and other cancers related to it. Since she already has cancer, there is little downside to getting her tested.

So how do you broach the subject? It can be difficult to bring it up in a face-to-face conversation. Perhaps you can include a pamphlet on genetic testing in a greeting card. Your note should explain that you are offering this information because you care so much about her. After that, I would drop the subject and let her decide on her own what to do. To that end, I am sending you some pamphlets and you can decide on your own what to do.

Best of Luck,
Dr. Bone

Weirdest Cancer Ever

Dear Dr. Bone,

My cousin and I were trying to figure out what type of cancer is the weirdest. Is there really cancer of the fingernail? The hair?

J&J

Cousins

Dear J&J,

Yes, you can get cancer of the fingernail. While it is rare, it does happen. Fungal infections of the nail are very common and cause deformities that have been misdiagnosed as cancer. Traumatic injuries to the nail also cause a discoloration that can be confused with cancer. The most common cancer of the nail is melanoma. It looks like a change in the color of the nail, usually tan to black. Unfortunately it can be misdiagnosed as a nail injury and overlooked. A good rule of thumb (get it!) is to wait until the nail grows. If the lesion does not go away with the nail growth, get it checked out. I suggest seeing a dermatologist.

Hair does not get cancer, but the hair follicle from which the hair grows is susceptible to cancer. Remember, in order to get cancer, there needs to be live cells that divide and a blood supply to the area. Hair has neither of these.

Keep sending more questions.

Dr. Bone

Prevention

Dear Dr. Bone,

With all the time, money and effort spent on finding cures and treatments for cancer, why is there not the same done to prevent? If we never got cancer in the first place, we wouldn’t have to cure it! You really don’t need to reply.

Reader

Dear Reader,

That is the million-dollar question. I hope to devote an entire column to it soon. Suffice to say that cancer is not just one disease. The causes are numerous. Each person’s body deals with cancer cells differently so each person would probably require a different prevention strategy. Lastly, there are already a lot of medical and charitable dollars spent on prevention. Open the paper and you will read about the dangers of excess alcohol consumption and cancer. Still, a large percentage of the population drinks too much. I don’t even need to discuss the risks of smoking. Yet we are not a smoke-free nation. The challenge for public health experts is to get America to adopt more healthy lifestyles that would not only decrease cancer, but heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and a host of life-threatening ailments.

Dr. Bone

Life After Cancer

A guest blog by: Sue Bock

Walking down the dim hallway, I have a light bulb moment; "I don’t need any more answers, I no longer need to research about my breast cancer." At that moment in time my roller coaster of feelings came to a close. Before that, I was always stressed, never comfortable with the uncertainty waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was scared and of course, clinical (since I am an RN after all), researching and searching for answers. Self-care was a big focus for me. I used exercise, yoga, acupressure, and retail therapy with friends to keep me sane. Love was abundant from family and friends. After 3 lumpectomies (because no one ever expected to find any cancer), the specimens were sent for gene testing. All the while, I was hoping, for a positive outcome. After a university tumor board reviewed my results, they agreed unanimously that treatment only by radiation was the best course of action. After I completed my last radiation treatment in January 2011, I celebrated with the therapy team. Then my husband and I drove away to spend a very silly day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk playing games. No worries. No thoughts of cancer. 

During treatment one of my radiotherapy technicians told me her own breast cancer story; how she finished 9 months of chemo & radiation and was forced to decide what was next for her. Her increased risk of injury with subsequent increased risk of infection & lymphedema prevented her return to her career as a jewelry designer. This inspired me to take my life coaching in a different direction. Now it is my mission and pleasure to help women after breast cancer to live a life they deserve. It’s about living your best life possible with or without disease. Let me help you find where you fit, maximize your strengths, your impact, and your contentment.

Breast cancer doesn’t define you; it frees you to arrive at different choices.

Sue Bock

Coach Sue

“Inspiring women with courage to dream, change, and live life’s adventure

http://bestlifeafterbreastcancer.com

Deodorant and Cancer

Dear Dr. Bone,

I read that underarm deodorant can cause breast cancer. Is this true?

~Sweaty

Dear Sweaty,

I remember getting an email many years ago about the hazards of deodorant. Actually, it was about antiperspirants, not deodorants.  What is the difference? Deodorants prevent or control odor related to perspiration, whereas antiperspirants work to prevent perspiration in the first place. A major concern about antiperspirants surrounded the aluminum content found in these products. Aluminum was thought to be linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The relationship between aluminum and breast cancer came later and still is hotly debated. Aluminum deposits are found in greater concentration in the areas of the breast where most cancers are diagnosed, and aluminum, like cadmium, has estrogenic-like activity on breast cancer cells.  A further risk involves the ingredients called parabens, which are used throughout the cosmetic industry. When absorbed through the skin sometimes from underarm shaving cuts, these parabens might conceivably accumulate in the fat cells of the breast or in the lymph nodes near the breast.

Despite these associations, there is no definitive study proving that deodorant or antiperspirants cause cancer. However, it makes sense that you should avoid unnecessary exposures that might be related to cancer, even if remotely. I advocate using only deodorants, not antiperspirants. Sweating is a natural mechanism to help us rid our bodies of toxins. Instead of trying to prevent sweating, I prefer to use a deodorant that eliminates odor naturally. The crystals in Naturally Fresh Deodorant products are pure, aluminum-free and paraben-free, and are hypoallergenic.  They are perfect for people working to prevent cancer, for cancer patients, and for cancer survivors.

And, in addition to their original fragrance-free line, Naturally Fresh now has lovely scented products, including lavender, papaya fusion, ocean breeze, and tropical breeze to appeal to men and women everywhere.

~Dr. Bone

Cancer Quiz

Quiz/statistics/ poverty

Cancer Quiz

1.      What is the most common kind of cancer worldwide?

2.      Which cancer is considered the most curable? 

3.      Which causes more deaths in the United States: cancer or heart attack and stroke?

4.      Which cancers are most preventable?

5.      What percentage of cancer is probably preventable?

6.      What is the biggest risk factor for cancer?

Answers

1.      The most common cancer worldwide is lung cancer, causing over 1.2 million deaths each year. While 85% of the patients with lung cancer are smokers or were smokers, more and more lung cancer is occurring that is unrelated to smoking. In developing countries where smoking is more common and pollution is not as well regulated as in the United States, the incidence of lung cancer is rising.

2.      Many cancers are curable at an early stage. Skin cancers, breast cancer, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer all have excellent prognoses when detected early. Skin cancer is easy to detect and treat if you are having regular skin checks, reputation the reputation of most curable. 

3.      Though they are neck-and-neck, the combination of heart disease and stroke causes more deaths than cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

4.      Lung cancer is highly preventable by avoiding smoking. Having regular colonoscopies should reduce the diagnosis of colon cancer dramatically because precancerous growths can be removed before they turn into cancer. Cervical cancer, a major worldwide risk in developing countries, could be reduced dramatically by the HPV vaccine and by implementation of global screening for this sexually-transmitted virus.

5. A full 30% percent of cancer could be prevented by not smoking, eating fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a normal body weight through regular vigorous physical activity. Unfortunately there are many socioeconomic barriers to attaining these goals.

6. Tobacco smoking is the highest risk for cancer.

These answers may seem obvious, but I was amazed at the number of people who thought that breast cancer was the most common and most deadly worldwide. We take it for granted that people all over the world know the dangers of cigarette-smoking, but data show that people living in other countries are unaware of the health hazards of smoking.

Few people realized how rare some cancers are in the US. For example, there are only about 11,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the US annually, but this cancer is a leading cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa. Again, lack of effective public health.


~ Dr. Melanie Bone

The Truth About Vitamin D

Know your (Vitamin) D- factor

Vitamin D: The “Super-Vitamin”

Vitamin D was once thought to be just another vitamin that was just as important to your health as all the other vitamins.  We know it plays a huge role in the regulation and absorption of Calcium, (that’s why you will see it in your Calcium supplements) but it’s just over the past several years that people are “doing extra D” for important added benefits...and rightly so!

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Vitamin D is a somewhat “special” vitamin as well because the body actually manufactures Vitamin D from sunlight.  No other vitamin is produced in our systems.  The fact that our bodies produce it and the fact that it has such an impact on many of our bodies systems, actually puts it in the category of a hormone.  This all important “super-vitamin-y hormone” has made headlines recently because of the link that was discovered with breast cancer.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

It was found that a significant number of breast cancer patients, for whatever reason, had very low levels of Vitamin D.  It was suggested that increasing women’s Vitamin D level to “adequate” (35-74 ng/ml in the blood measured as calcifediol or Vitamin D 25-hydroxy) could save 65,000 women from developing breast cancer every year. A study of over 1400 women in the general population showed that over 50% of them had inadequate Vitamin D levels. (myself included)

When I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer my Vitamin D level was 23 ng/dl! (desirable is considered to be 35 - 74 ng/dl)  A few weeks of high dose vitamin D under a doctor’s supervision, with a daily supplement intake of 4000 mg/day is keeping me in the 50’s. 

Since the breast cancer study, it has been discovered that other cancer patients as well had low Vitamin D levels (but not prostate cancer).  We are learning more and more about vitamin D and the role it plays on your immune system.  Poor immunity is related to your risk of cancer, but also is linked to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and Multiple Sclerosis among others.  the reason is the role Vitamin D plays in “apoptosis” or regulating the destruction of unwanted cells.  A lapse in the regulation causes overgrowth.....cancer.

It would make sense, then, to assume that it is vital you know what your Vitamin D levels are and supplement to keep them stable.  This can be done with a simple blood test called “serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D”.  This has become a very routine blood test and it is the only way to know if you are getting enough D.  With repeated tests you can tell what  “your personal” level of supplementation is in order to keep you within range.  The fact that Vitamin manufacturers are now making Vitamin D in 2000 mg sized pills tells you that people are wising up.

D2 vs D3

Vitamin D comes in two forms when buying supplements. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plant sources, and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) comes from animal sources.  Your body produces vitamin D3 from sunlight.  The jury is still out on whether Vitamin D2 or D3 is absorbed better. For vegans, obviously the choice is clear.

How do I get enough Vitamin D?

Naturally:  Our skin will produce vitamin D3 by exposing it to sunlight without sunscreen.  5 – 10 minutes a day 3 x week is sufficient to get adequate doses of Vitamin D in your system.  I must warn you of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s recommendations that you don’t go out in the sun without sunscreen.  (They would rather you just take a pill, thank you)

Foods:  It is hard to eat enough foods to get the levels of D you need. Foods contain, or are fortified with, the form D2 or D3. You will find D in eggs, fish and fish oil, fortified dairy products and (dare I say it?) beef liver (ugh) and cheese. Difficult for those on vegan or low fat diets, but many many foods are fortified. (D3 is the usual form in supplements, but not all are Vitamin D3)

Supplements: Here is where it gets tricky…..initially, the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of vitamin D was thought to be 200 UI/day but we now know that this amount just is not enough. The consensus from many sources is that every adult should be taking 2000 IU/day.... especially, the elderly, dark skinned people, those who live in colder climates (don’t get sunlight exposure), over weight (vitamin D is prevented from absorption in overweight persons) and those who have inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s that affect absorption.

Toxicity: Initially, there was not enough evidence to put a number on the upper limit for intake of vitamin D. Early studies showed that abnormally high levels of blood calcium were observed in those that took in excess of 50,000 IU /day of vitamin D.  This led the Food and Nutrition Board to establish VERY conservative maximum upper intake levels of 2000 IU/day.

Since 1997, more and more studies have been done that show vitamin D toxicity is very unlikely in healthy people at intake levels lower than 10,000 IU/day. 

Toxicity can further be avoided by taking it in conjunction with Vitamin K. When taken with Vitamin K, vitamin D is less likely to reach toxic levels.  Certain companies are now making Vitamin D with Vitamin K together.  Not much info on this, but I’m told by experts in the field that the data is there, and there will be more supplements that contain a combo of vitamin D and K in the future.

Be careful

Vitamins are not regulated by the FDA and because of that there is no guarantee that because the bottle says “Vitamin D3 1000 IU, that it contains what it states.

Pick a vitamin company that you trust. Look at their philosophy….look at who owns the company…. how long have they been around….any claims about certain products should have data to support it.  Call the company and ask questions.

Vitamins lose their potency so check expiration dates.

Look for a descriptive label…..does the bottle say just “Vitamin D”…..or Vitamin D3?

Look at the fillers….yeasts, preservatives….bulking agents, binding agents, etc….

Do they “do good” for the community?  do they donate a portion to research etc?

Bottom line

Even if you don’t like taking supplements, you may want to consider getting your Vitamin D blood level checked.  Having the right level may do more for your health than you realize.


Author Susan Gonzalez is a registered nurse, breast cancer survivor, and the creator of MOON Organics Inc. MOON organics is committed to providing organic, healthy products while helping those going through treatment for cancer. Please visit MOON-Organics.com for details.

References:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/study-vitamin-d-kills-cancer-cells/story?id=9904415#.Ty8i-pjNB5g 

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20101213/low-vitamin-d-levels-common-in-breast-cancer

http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/vitamin-d/the-skin-cancer-foundation-statement-on-obtaining-adequate-vitamin-d

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17145139

http://www.ajcn.org/content/80/6/1678S.long

Meet John Kaplan

Diagnosed at age 49 with a potential deadly form of lymphoma, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist John Kaplan turned the lens on himself and chronicled his experience in a moving and inspiring visual journal.   Not as I Pictured

Friday, March 2 showing at Embassy Suites Hotel  1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach (just West of Australian Avenue)  8:30 PM  $5 suggested donation.

John Kaplan is donating 10,000 copies to those with cancer. (Please share this with others).