Cancer is the second
leading cause of death in North America (after heart and other
cardiovascular diseases) and breast cancer is among the leading causes
of death among women. Cancer prevention, not cancer research or cure, is
therefore a top priority for all women. Of known cancer causes, smoking
tobacco accounts for about a third of the cases and diet is blamed for
another 30-50 per cent, although the relationship between food and
cancer is hazier than for tobacco and there are no pat answers.But
"prevention" may simply not be possible. If it is, and there is some
evidence that change of diet and occupation (reduced stress levels) in
combination with a special herbal dietary supplement may be effective in
preventing some types of cancer in women, so much the better. If it
isn't, the alternative is early detection and surgery. But not just
surgery, surgery in combination with other treatments which may include
any or all of chemotherapy, radiation, lymphectomy, tamoxaphen
(tamoxifen, and a new replacement called Arimidex which may have
frightening side effects) and even radical mastectomy (complete breast
removal).
Mammograms may be painful. All reports indicate that
they are. However, the alternative, breast cancer left long enough to
detect by conventional means (pain, lumps, etc) is virtually always
resultant in radical mastectomy, chemotherapy and often in death. Check
this web site for basic information on cancer, breast cancer, side
effects, etc.
My wife has had 10 tumors removed from her breasts.
The first two, in the late 1980's, and the last two (1 each breast each
occurrence), about 1996-7, were benign. The six in between (four in the
right breast, two in the left breast) were malignant. Although the
diagnosis of breast cancer is a devastating experience, most women face
up to and cope well with it. In fact, studies show that many respond
with renewed vigour and enjoyment of life and stronger interpersonal
ties. But there is an inevitable period of adjustment, usually improved
by knowing as much as possible about the disease.
My wife has
been “free of cancer” for well over 8 years, but at her last mammogram
checkup, in Jan ‘05, they discovered a growth they could not otherwise
account for and wanted to do another biopsy-type lump removal. This
inevitably raises the heady and frightening spectre of “cancer” once
again. As I began to write, this “ectomy” was still in our future, the
results and reactions were also “still in our future”. We’ve been there,
several times, but that didn’t make a diagnosis of malignancy any
easier, any less emotionally stressful, even though the “period of
adjustment” was eased somewhat.
So after 8-9 years cancer free
she was diagnosed in January, 2005 with another lump and it was removed
in early April, 2005. Yes, it was malignant, but, in the doctor’s words,
it was a “friendly” tumor. Our “period of adjustment” has been much
easier this time around.
My mother had a radical left-breast mastectomy when she was about 77-78. She lived another 11-12 years cancer free.
At
what age am I most at risk for breast cancer? Actually, most at risk is
probably after 40. But breast cancer has occurred in teenagers. I'm not
sure if it occurs in pre-teens? Breast cancer is extremely rare but not
unknown in men, also. The age group most at risk of dying of breast
cancer is the younger women because "I'm too young to have breast
cancer" and so the warning signs are ignored until it is too late.
What
are the causes of breast cancer? There are many. They include stress,
diet and lifestyle, and genetic tendencies (inherited).
What are
the methods of detection of breast cancer? Intermittent or continuous
breast pain or breast discomfort for no apparent reason should be
quickly investigated. "Feeling" a "lump" or "hard spot" in one's breast
should also be quickly investigated. But the best "early detection"
method remains, as painful as it may be, a mammogram. My sweetie has had
7 malignant lumps successfully removed from her breasts (four from the
right, three from the left) as well as 4 benign lumps (2 each breast),
all detected by mammogram. Had she not had those mammograms she would
long since have died of breast cancer; as it is, she also still has both
breasts (slightly reduced in size).
How do we prevent breast
cancer? The first thing is to eliminate undue stress. This may require a
radical lifestyle change and could hinge upon something as simple as
running one's household in a period of low income - just making ends
meet! The next step is to make certain one's diet is not
counter-productive to a cancer-free existence. A regular program of
exercise, such as walking a mile or two a day, every day, is beneficial
(golf is excellent exercise). Finally, an herbal dietary supplement
taken as a preventive may be beneficial? However, even doing all of the
above is no assurance one will not develop breast cancer. So make sure
you get your mammogram.
Disclaimer: This article in no way should
be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of
action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any
specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any
condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information
upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should
begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better
health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.
If
in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician
and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different
opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions
nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.
About the Author
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.
This
article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring
Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites
only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the
Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged except for minor
improvements. |
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