Breast Cancer

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Silli-Shields

by 3 Comments
Oct
27
2011
Retha Buys

It actually all started with wanting to have a baby, and since the normal way is not an option for me, I had to take fertility drugs, which led to irregular menstruation, which led to being prescribed hormone replacement drugs for three months in order to correct the problem. One morning, while getting dressed, I noticed my left breast suddenly grew into this huge balloon on my chest. The difference was definately not subtle. So, knowing that you don’t play around with abnormalities in your breasts, I ran to my GP, who told me he is not worried, but to be on the safe side, let’s do a mammogram. Microcalcifications were found, and I was referred to a specialist, who said he is not too worried but to be safe let’s do a biopsy. So, one biopsy and a terrible scar later I was told that it looks like DCIS, but the specialist thought it safe to leave it for a year and see what happens. Being pro-active by nature, I went for a second opinion, since I read too many scary things regarding … [Read more...]

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Strength

by 7 Comments
Oct
15
2011
Strength

Strength is a powerful word. Physical strength is very obvious to the human eye. Internal strength is something different and more difficult to define. Not only is it difficult to define it is hard to determine where one finds their internal strength. It varies from person to person. When I received my diagnosis last July, I did not feel strong, I felt like a weak and helpless child in the face of this disease. An anonymous quote said: “When on the edge of destiny, you must test your strength”. Breast Cancer put me on the edge of a new destiny – to survive at all costs. To ensure my survival I had to find new sources of strength. Since dying was NOT an option, I decided I would need an extraordinary amount of strength to fight the pink ribbon demon. Thank God I did not fight alone. I have the most amazing family and friends who helped me every step of the way. When my strength failed I could rely on them to push me forward. That's right – I am a thief – a strength stealer. … [Read more...]

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How My Breast Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything

by 9 Comments
Jul
30
2011
Change

The one thing I hear is the idea that having cancer changes your outlook on life. One of the first letters we received from a friend when I got my diagnosis of breast cancer contained such sentiment. We were all, not yet 40, with small children, careers, stability finally just beginning to take hold. This friend, too, was a young cancer survivor. It was difficult to accept in the moment as we both read the words of the terrible journey about to arrive. Words meant to offer a taste of reality and encouragement. "I bet you and your wife look at life differently now", he wrote. Maybe that's true now. Back then, I had no idea what he really meant. I am now a part of a club I never wanted to join. Saying the words "cancer survivor" does not yet easily roll off my tongue. When it comes at a time in life when you are just getting started, it is especially isolating as an identity. I felt side swiped. I had a short career. I had young children just starting school. Being thirty something, … [Read more...]

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Can Women Taking Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Benefit From Fish Oils?

by 1 Comment
Jun
18
2011
Breast Cancer, Tamoxifen, and Fish Oil

Women who have breast cancer and those who are at high risk for the disease sometimes take the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a medication that binds to estrogen receptors and blocks the action of estrogen on breast cancer cells. When estrogen is blocked, the breast tumor doesn’t grow as rapidly, as long as a woman has estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer - the most common kind. Now researchers have discovered that women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer may also benefit from fish oils. Fish Oil and Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Fish oil supplements have become a popular among Americans, because they reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. They may also help to boost the cancer-fighting power of tamoxifen. In the laboratory, researchers induced breast tumors in a group of rats. Some of the breast cancer induced rats ate a diet consisting of 17% fish oils, while others ate a diet rich in corn oil as a control for two months. Some of the rats … [Read more...]

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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 11 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...]

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What Cancer Can Not Do

by 11 Comments
Dec
31
2010
colorful-cancer-angel-pic

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...]

Filed Under: Breast Cancer