Peach Mango Salmon

Are you looking for a new summer recipe to satisfy your pallet? Try something that has been already made and proven easy!

Peach Mango Salmon is a true staff favorite at Cancer Shop USA! In a rush? Instead of making the salsa homemade, buy the organic pre-packaged version in the store. It's almost as good!

What you will need:

- Peach Mango Salsa- homemade, or one store bought container
- 1 Salmon filet
- 1/2 cup chopped pineapple

First, we need to prepare our Peach Mango Salsa.

Peach Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
• 3/4 cup chopped peeled fresh peaches
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped peeled mango
• 2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 4 cups.

Editor's Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutritional Facts 1/4 cup (calculated without chips) equals 14 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: Free food.

Now that our salsa is made, let's  prepare the salmon! Rinse your salmon filet before placing in a glass baking dish. 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You will bake your salmon 8 minutes for every 1 lb.

Smother your salmon in the peach mango salsa. Poke fine holes in the salmon to help soak in the flavor! Make sure to save some salsa to have on the side. I like eating this dish with brown rice and broccoli. 

Place the salmon in the oven uncovered for the appropriate amount of time given above.

Place the remaining salsa and 1/2 cup chopped pineapple in a microwave safe bowl and heat 30-40 seconds. 

When your salmon is done baking, serve with brown rice, broccoli and your salsa pineapple mix over the rice. 

Let us know how you like this recipe! Rate it below.

Source

 

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.

Cancer Connect Episode 6

Cancer Connect reunites with Julie Grimm after the ONS Conference in New Orleans. Julie tells us WHY it is so important to have a planner when first diagnosed and HOW her planner will not only keep you organized, but act as your comfort blanket and friend during this uncertain time.

Julie Grimm is a breast cancer and brain tumor survivor and knows first hand the feelings and emotional state the flood a patient's mind and body when newly diagnosed. Inspirational and motivational, Julie is a great person with an amazing product!

Milk and Cancer

Dear Dr. Bone,

Is it true that there is a difference in the risk for cancer if you drink whole milk instead of skim or 2%? My friends and I were discussing it at lunch. I thought the benefits of lower fat were all related to heart disease, but they say that whole milk also contributes to cancer. Who is right?

D.L.

Dear D.L.

The relationship between milk and cancer is complex. Countries whose inhabitants do not consume much milk seem to have lower incidences of certain cancers. For example, in Japan and Mongolia there is less breast cancer than in the United States. One of the reasons posited for this phenomenon is the presence of hormones in milk. In order for cows to produce more milk they are kept pregnant for prolonged periods of time. Milk from pregnant cows naturally has a higher estrogen content. Farmers also inject the cows with hormones. One in particular, recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), results in milk that contains higher amounts of Insulin-like Growth Factor, known as IGF-1. IGF-1 can be absorbed from the milk and stimulate cancer cells. Since hormones in milk are fat soluble, it would seem safer to drink low fat milk. On the other hand, conjugated linoleic acid, a natural anti-cancer molecule, is found at its highest concentration in whole milk as is calcium, a necessary building block for our bones.

The popular book called The China Study looks into the relationship between diet and cancer. I have many friends who became vegan after reading it because they were convinced that dairy consumption can be dangerous, not just for cancer, but for heart disease and other ailments too. A moderate by nature, I suggest that each person find their comfort level after assessing the data. It is unlikely that an occasional glass of milk or ice cream will cause cancer, but dietary modifications along with exercise, decreasing alcohol consumption, and controlling stress, should results in a longer, healthier life.

~ Dr. Bone

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

Juicing and Cancer

Dear Dr. Bone,

I just read an article about the power of juicing and a raw diet to prevent cancer. What do you think?

Health Nut

Dear Health Nut,

I am so happy that bring up prevention as a topic. Cetainly we wouldn’t need to work so hard on treating cancer if we could prevent it in the first place! I may sound like a broken record, but cancer is not just one disease. If it were, then we could probably come up with the right way to prevent it. Instead, there are so many reasons people get cancer, that no one behavior will guarantee that you won’t get cancer. Eating organic, or raw, or juicing is a healthy thing to do because you get the recommended daily intake of various fruits and vegetables. Whether those choices really prevent cancer has not been proven. My personal opinion is that moderation and personal happiness is the key. That would translate to some raw, some cooked. Juicing, but not necessarily every day. Red meat on occasion, but not as a staple.  I applaud people who take an interest in their food choices because they usually exercise and maintain their weight as well – both of which seem to be correlated with a lower risk of many diseases including cancer.

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

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

Self Breast Exam

Dear Dr. Bone,

I am a good patient who goes for annual mammograms, but I do not do breast self exam.I am afraid that I won’t know what I am feeling or that I will find something. I feel guilty about it but have heard various things about how important it is to do regularly. What do you think?

M.M.

Dear M.M.

If only I had a nickel for the number of times that I’ve heard those comments! You are not alone. There are many studies pointing stressing the importance of self exam to find cancers, especially ones that do not show up on mammogram and come up between mammograms (called interval cancers). Other studies show that breast self exam does not necessarily improve survival from breast cancer or long term outcomes. My feeling is that you should try to do them, but not beat yourself up about it if you do not do them regularly. There are now kits available to improve your technique by using silicone or other liquids between to layers to improve your skill. While these may be helpful, if you can just start with soap and water in the shower and try to cover all areas of the breast and armpit it is a good start. Remember, almost every woman has some lumps and bumps. Anything hard, stuck, and painless may be important. Try to examine during the week after your period is over when the breasts tend to be less sensitive. If you are postmenopausal, just pick the first of the month or your birthday number. I liken breast self exam to moving to a new city. In the first few months you don’t know your way around, but eventually, you know the streets well and would notice if there is a traffic detour. Once you make breast self exam a habit, any changes, even small ones, will probably stand out without a conscious effort.

Having said all that, don’t cancel your mammogram! Do them both.

Dr. Bone

Please take advantage of the following videos of Dr. Melanie Bone explaining both a stand up and laying down breast self exam.

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

No Scary Hairy: 100% profits donated to Cancer Schmancer

Hey Everyone!


Today is the last day to purchase Naturally Fresh Deodorant for 100% of profits to go back to Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer Movement. 

(Smell...Schmell! Support Cancer Schmancer and "Stay Fresh". Click Here!)


The next product in our campaign to help raise funds for early cancer detection and prevention is...(drum roll)...No Scary Hairy! 






No Scary Hairy is one of Cancer Shop USA's FAVORITE products! This 100% natural serum that is phthalates free, paraben free, and carcinogen free is meant for ANYONE who feels their hair and scalp are stressed, for dry fragile hair due to intense treatments, and need some extra special attention and gentle enough if you have or are currently undergoing cancer treatment.


Also for finger nails and toe nails, because it heals skin cracks which can become a significant health issue especially for people undergoing cancer treatment.


Learn more about No Scary Hairy and purchase this product between 3/15-3/28 for 100% of profits to be donated to The Cancer Schmancer Movement.


To learn more about how you can help Cancer Shop USA support Early Cancer Detection and Prevention, please visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Lean On Lavender, The Color Of All Cancers,
Cancer Shop USA Team

Paps and Cancer

Dear Dr. Bone,

My gynecologist wants me to have a pap smear. I had a partial hysterectomy 3 years ago and no longer have a cervix. Do I really need a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer if I don’t have a cervix?

A.M.

Dear  A.M.,

What a smart patient you are! The pap does screen for cervical cancer. If you don’t have a cervix, you probably do not need a pap smear. If your hysterectomy was done for pre-cancer or cancer of the cervix, then I would continue to screen you with pap smears. In my residency many years ago, we were taught to do yearly paps on everyone without a cervix to find vaginal cancer. I have never seen a case. We now know that the HPV virus is the cause of cervix cancer and warts. If you are in a stable, monogamous sexual relationship or are not sexually active, then I would no longer do a pap smear. On the other hand, if you have a new partner or there is a question about your spouse’s fidelity, then I would screen you with a pap and HPV every three years (unless one or the other are abnormal). I refer you to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website for more information (www.acog.org).

~Dr. Bone.

Plastic Bottles and Cancer

Dear Dr. Bone,

 I drink a lot of water everyday and got nervous when I was sent a message on-line that drinking water out of plastic disposable bottles, especially if they are hot after being left in the car, poses a risk for developing breast cancer. I even read that Sheryl Crowe thinks this might be why she got breast cancer. Is there any truth to this?

Heavy on H20

Delray Beach

Dear Heavy,

First let me remind you that although water is healthy to drink, Americans (and many of my patients!) think that they need to drink large amounts of water each day to cleanse and “detoxify” their systems. The truth is that the human body does not need quite as much water as one would think and those people that drink water only when they are thirsty are no less healthy. I do see women who are depleted of electrolytes because they drink too much water and urinate so much that they lose potassium and sodium along the way, so be careful.

As for the association between plastic water bottles and cancer, the answer is a bit complicated.  There are different plastic bottles. The pliable ones that are designed to be disposable are made of PET (polyethylene teraphthalate), or a #1. This type of plastic is used in many different products and appears to be safe. The hard plastic bottles (like Nalgene or Lexan) are made out of BPA (bisphenol A). There is controversy about this compound. Some scientists believe that BPA acts biologically like estrogen and could promote estrogen-related cancers.

Until more definitive studies are done, it is best not to take any chances. The “green” advice is to use glass, or an old-fashioned thermos (lined with glass). It is better for the earth and, to my knowledge, glass has not been associated with any particular health hazards.

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

NEW! Cancer Connect Podcast

STAY TUNED!

Cancer Connect (to be released this week), is a weekly short through inspiration and motivation. Feel free to listen at home, or work to the wonderful people who have become innovative during the healing process and would like to share their journey with you. We will also be interviewing caregivers to help express the anxiety and stress they undergo with little to no support. Our goal is to change the way people think of cancer and bring a new resource into the homes of that many more patients, caregivers and professionals.

Our first guest will be recent blogger Susan Parker. We are so excited to share this new journey with our followers and we hope you will enjoy!

Lean On Lavender, The Color Of All Cancers,
Cancer Shop USA Team

New Cancer Shop USA Site Goes Live!

Cancer Shop USA strives to provide cancer patients and followers with the greatest products available in the market today. That means, products that can actually help cancer patients manage the side effects of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. So what sets Cancer Shop USA apart from other Cancer products providers? The products featured on the site have been approved by a cancer survivor who is also a Gynecological Surgeon as well as the founder of Cancer Sensibility foundation. In short, you no longer have to spend money buying cancer therapy products second guessing if they work or if they are out to simply make a profit from cancer patients. And the best is yet to come as the new cancer shop USA site has gone live making it easier for patients to search for products that range from dietary supplements to products that have been designed by former cancer survivors. For the best products at affordable prices check out Cancer Shop USA now!

Who is Libre Clothing? By Guest Blogger Megan Stengel

Hi readers, I’m Megan from Libre! I was honored and excited when Cancer Shop USA asked us to be their FIRST guest bloggers! We happily accepted.

Libre is a clothing line made specifically for chemotherapy, dialysis, and other infusion patients. Our clothing is an everyday staple in your wardrobe, BUT has discreet areas of access specifically for a patient’s treatment site. This makes it easier to wear easily accessible clothing, keeps you warm, and makes it easier on the nurses. You just zip open when you get there, and zip it up when you’re done.

This idea came about from my own mother’s problems. She was a dialysis patient for three years and during that time she would cut holes in her clothing so that the nurses could get to her fistula, but she would also be able to keep warm during the treacherous 4 hours. It would get so cold in the center sometimes, that she wanted to bring a blanked but couldn’t. Nothing was allowed to cover any part of the access at any time during treatment. Because of those problems, the solution was brought forth by Libre. Stylish, comfy, and warm clothing that made treatment easier for patients and nurses.

Libre was initially formed at Miami University in the fall of 2008. Myself, along with the 3 other co-founders (Mandy Eckman, Tess Schuster, & Bethany Skaff) were in a senior entrepreneurship class where each member of the class had to pitch an idea, then we chose our top ideas and formed teams for the business competition that was at the end of the semester. Each of us felt a strong tie to Libre’s purpose, since we’d personally watched family and friends had been through this, and decided that this is what we wanted to pursue after graduation. It’s been a long, hard, tough road but we are so happy with how far we’ve come in just 3 short years.

        

                                      
After starting with just 2 products (both being shirts), we have now expanded to 5 products, some of which include chest access as well as leg access, with multiple color options. We’ve began partnering with other organizations whose mission and purpose is right on course with ours, and that we believe in. We’re very excited that Cancer Shop USA has started to carry Libre products and are looking forward to seeing them on our blog shortly!

Thanks again to Cancer Shop USA! For more information you can e-mail us at Info@LibreClothing.com. You can also see our products on Cancer Shop USA’s site by clicking here.

Megan Stengel
Co-Founder; Libre, LLC

Stengel@LibreClothing.com