Preventing Breast Cancer

We're very concerned about this topic because of how it affected us through our families and the women in our lives and on our staff. PearlieMae's death was a result of her fear of breast cancer. The cancer spread from there to her back and into the bone . This being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month we thought we should contribute to its success. PearlieMae might have wanted it that way though we know she would shudder knowing we've revealed her "Big C" condition.

"The Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, a large, population-based cohort study of 5042 female breast cancer survivors in China. Women aged 20 to 75 years with diagnoses between March 2002 and April 2006 were recruited and followed up through June 2009. Information on cancer diagnosis and treatment, lifestyle exposures after cancer diagnosis, and disease progression was collected at approximately 6 months after cancer diagnosis and was reassessed at 3 follow-up interviews conducted at 18, 36, and 60 months after diagnosis. Annual record linkage with the Shanghai Vital Statistics Registry database was carried out to obtain survival information for participants who were lost to follow-up. Medical charts were reviewed to verify disease and treatment information." - Journal of the American Medical Association (December 9, 2009)

We're believers in soy products yet we're not certain that removing the other nutritional factors from the above equation makes it a wonder drug. Genetically Asian women suffer less from breast cancer than European and women of African descent. The results aren't new in 1998 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition drew a connection between soy and breast cancer. It's worth noting during this "Pink Month" because its use might be prevented.

"The following may reduce breast cancer risk: kelp; forsteronia refracta compound; oleic acid in olive oil restricted calories; apple, Danggui Longhui Wan ( chinese medicine); moderate exercise; turmeric, fish oil, weight loss, omega-3 fatty acids, cabbage and sauerkraut; Artemisinin; vitamin D, soy, garlic, grape juice, whole wheat, pro-vitamin E, low-protein diet, doing home work, high dietary fiber, broccoli, breastfeeding, grapes, green tea and mushroom, vitamin c, and sun exposure. Those factors that may boost risk are: high GI diet, alcohol, adipose fat, Bisphenol A; cleaning chemicals, hormone therapy, french fries, omega 6 fatty acid linoleic acid found in corn and soybean oil; mamograms, dietary fat, red meat and processed meat, barbecued meat, grapefruit, western diet, aluminum salts, radiation, iron, antibiotics, calcium, living in a large, metropolitan area, and acrylamide." - Food Consumer (Pink Tips)

Missing from that list is the desire to seek care until its too late. Both men and women suffer from that same condition of fear if our personal experience is any indication of having cancer and seeking immediate medical treatment. We don't want to know, believing ignorance is bliss and that we can't die if we don't know for sure. How's that for research. We believe that nothing "boost risk" more than fear and trepidation whether you're male or female.

"Although not all experts are convinced that it's safe to begin advising women to add soy to their diet, they agree that there is no need to avoid soy altogether. "What I've been telling my patients right now is that soy as part of a healthy balanced diet is safe. But I would avoid trying to eat a totally soy-based diet or taking a soy supplement. You have to be careful in not extrapolating beyond the study," says Dr. Richard Lee, medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston." - Time (December 2009) 

We'd have to agree. The nutritional solution isn't a one (1) item choice. Variety seems to be what all the experts agree upon. The Pink Tips given offer a variety of items that together might be the super fuel that would be a preventative against breast cancer. Though finding a lump and leaving it rather than calling attention to it to your physician is a mistake that can cost you your life and your family much pain and suffering. Unfortunately we have too much experience with the latter than we care to admit or ever care to see repeated.