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Bone Health and Breast Cancer

by 2 Comments
Jun
06
2011
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One of the last things you may think about when diagnosed with breast cancer is the health of your bones.  You probably already know the importance of  keeping your bones healthy throughout your life, but it becomes especially important after a breast cancer diagnosis. Why?  Certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause significant bone loss or fractures.  It's possible for Chemotherapy to cause early menopause, which would result in a loss of estrogen.  It's also possible to experience a dip in estrogen levels just from surgery as well.   Estrogen protects the bone,  so if these levels become low, it can result in bone loss or a fracture. Upon diagnosis, ask your healthcare team if you should have the health of your bones evaluated. One of the exams that may be recommended is called a DEXA scan.  The word DEXA is an abbreviation for Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry.  This particular exam will typically measure your bone mineral density (BMD) between your spine and … [Read more...]

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The Breast Cancer Diet

by 4 Comments
May
01
2011
The Breast Cancer Diet

Has it ever occurred to you that there could be a connection between breast cancer and your diet?  Some researchers say that there are two key things in preventing cancer- estrogen regulation and immunity boosting.  Dr. Kristi Funk, MD, founder of  The Pink Louts Breast Center in Beverly Hills, CA says that while a genetic change is the root of all breast cancer,  breast cancer is fed and fueled for the most part by estrogen. Dr Funk believes that if we can decrease estrogen in our bodies, we can remove some of that fuel that makes cancer cells multiply and divide.  How do you do that? Here are 7 things, directly from a blog that Dr. Funk wrote, that help suppress estrogen. Dr. Funk also discussed this on a Dr. Oz show that aired in 2010. 1. Three cups of green tea a day can prevent breast cancer by as much as 50% because of its high EGCG antioxidant content. Squeeze a little lemon into your cup and increase the antioxidant power of your tea. 2. Garlic is a good immunity … [Read more...]

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Are you a Previvor?

by 15 Comments
Apr
01
2011
What Is A Previvor

A previvor by definition is a word used describe those who have a higher risk for cancer due to close family history or due to certain genetic mutations ( like the BRCA1 or BRCA2), but do not have a cancer diagnosis. According the  non-profit organization FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer) Empowered, they coined the term previvor 11 years ago.  A frequent contributor to one of their messages boards stated that they felt that they "needed a label", and hence the term was chosen to identify those living at a higher risk for cancer.  FORCE goes on to state that the previvor community  has its own unique needs and concerns separate from the general population, but different from those already diagnosed with cancer. Like those with cancer, previvors can go through a range of emotions that can be debilitating.   Some chose to deal with these emotions by having elective surgery as a way to prevent cancer. In the  case of breast cancer, that would generally be a mastectomy, or a … [Read more...]

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Support Groups

by 2 Comments
Feb
27
2011
Support Group 2

Support is important in all aspects of life, especially after one receives a cancer diagnosis. A study was recently published in Journal of Clinical Oncology that notes the social well being benefits during the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis.  The study details that : Social well-being at six months after diagnosis was linked with both survival and risk of recurrence. Women with the highest level of social well-being had a 38% reduction in risk of death and a 48% reduction in risk of recurrence. The aspects of social well-being that appeared to provide the most benefit were marriage and family, social support, and interpersonal relationships. The other measures of quality of life (physical, psychological, and material) at six months after diagnosis did not significantly affect cancer outcomes, although there was a suggestion that psychological well-being may be important. By 36 months after diagnosis, none of the quality of life measures were strongly … [Read more...]

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So, You have breast cancer. What now?

by 3 Comments
Feb
01
2011
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When the words "You have cancer" are directed at you specifically, so many things run through your mind.  The first thoughts may be of shock, surprise, sadness, anger and worry. At a time when you need to think strategically about how you're going to handle you're newly diagnosed state, emotions can get in the way. When I received my own breast cancer diagnosis, the Breast Navigator at the facility where I received my treatment gave me a book called My Health, My Journey: Courage for The Journey, Hope for the Future which I found extremely helpful to have and use as a guide for questions to present to my healthcare team.  Here are some questions from that book that may make things easier for you on your journey. Some of them may seem very basic, but sometimes in a crises, the answers to the most simple and basic questions are not asked. Before you get to asking questions, try to have someone else go with you to your appointments so that there is another ear to hear what's being … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breast Cancer

What Cancer Can Not Do

by 12 Comments
Dec
31
2010
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Several months ago, shortly after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I received an e-hug via facebook from a complete and total stranger, in a response to a post I put on a facebook page regarding my cancer.  The e-hug I received contained a poem titled What Cancer Can Not Do. The person I received the e-hug from was sharing this with me as her mom had just lost her 11 year battle with lung cancer.  Like so many cancer survivors do,  this woman kept her head held high and remained compassionate about life. She lived her life and didn't let the cancer diagnosis live it for her. She had several plaques around her home with this poem on it to remind her of just what exactly cancer can not do.  In the same spirit that this was shared with me and with the impending new year coming in, I share it with all of you.  Some of you may have heard of it before, but I think it's a great reminder of what can not be taken away from you when it seems like so many things are. Cancer is so … [Read more...]

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It’s Okay To Not Know What To Say…

by 2 Comments
Dec
29
2010
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Priding myself on finding the right thing to say, I would spend hours composing what I thought would be the most comforting notes/emails/letters to those I needed to send condolences to for whatever the reason may be. I am also the type of person who spends a lot of time of picking out the perfect birthday/greeting/holiday card, even though I know the recipient will most likely dispose of it soon after it's received. My thinking was that the perfect phrase, quote or card would somehow magically transform the person reading it and bring them the joy, peace or encouragement they were seeking. Having experienced my own health crisis-a breast cancer diagnosis this past May- I now know that it doesn't matter what is said. There are too many things happening to even notice what is said to you. Of course, receiving thoughtful messages is appreciated. In my case, what I did notice was those who didn't acknowledge my direct message informing them of my situation. In full disclosure, I informed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breast Cancer

Dealing with the Holiday Season

by 5 Comments
Nov
24
2010
Breast Cancer Holidays

Feeling a little bah humbug about the holidays this year? The expectation to deck the halls and be jolly is overwhelming, especially when you're going through breast cancer treatment or have just finished treatment.  The last thing you feel like doing is being jolly, and it may seem like others don't understand why you can't be joyous during this time of year.  It's OKAY to feel this way. Everyone has the right to their own feelings, but it's important to express them by telling others how you feel or by writing them down in a journal.  Here are some tips from Cancer Care and The American Cancer Society on how to cope during the holidays: *It's okay to feel sad: You may feel sad about the year gone by and that's okay. Express those feelings. Tears can bring a sense of relief. It is common to experience a mixture of anticipation, disappointment, and apprehension about the future. Try not to suppress your feelings. Instead, talk them over with a loved one, a friend, or … [Read more...]

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by 7 Comments
Oct
18
2010
Pink Ribbon

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer knows no season or month for that matter, but it’s that time of year when breast cancer awareness programs get full attention. The color pink is everywhere you turn. From pink yogurt lids to pink soup cans to pink potato chip bags on store shelves to professional athletes decked out in pink uniforms from head to toe, there’s no escaping it. As a brand new breast cancer survivor, I appreciate these efforts although they used to annoy me. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so these programs, or cause marketing as it’s called, which is a partnership between a for-profit company and a non--profit company are important. It could save your life by making you aware of risk factors for breast cancer that you may not have known about, or simply remind you to get a mammogram or give you a push to see a doctor about a lump you have. Wondering about the origins of how October turned pink? A little history: Breast Cancer … [Read more...]

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The Different Types of Breast Cancer

by 5 Comments
Sep
16
2010
Anatomy of the breast

Cancer isn’t black and white, especially when it comes to breast cancer. There are several different types that have different categories and it can be confusing. The following is a general guideline to help you sort through it all. Non Invasive Carcinoma Category: Non invasive carcinoma means that the cancer is in the ducts or lobules and has not spread to another part of the breast or body. This is also called "in situ", which is the Latin phrase for “in the place”. This type of cancer is typically caught in the early stage and is also not normally found during a self breast exam or a clinical breast exam.  The best detection for this kind of cancer is a digital mammogram, so be sure to keep up on your annual screenings if you are over the age of 40 and have a baseline mammogram starting around the age of 35. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have a baseline mammogram earlier than age 35, but talk to your doctor. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ … [Read more...]

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