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.
