The link below is a very good recent article covering the studies showing that mammograms really provide no benefit in reducing or preventing breast cancer. In fact, quite the opposite is true: regular mammograms actually increase the risk and incidence of breast cancer!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/26/mammograms.aspx
Another article on the same topic:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/30/mammography-screening-programs.aspx?x_cid=20140430_nonlead_facebookdoc&utm_source=facebookdoc&utm_medium=social&utm_content=nonlead&utm_campaign=20140430
Mammogram imaging uses ionizing radiation, which undeniably causes cancer, and continued exposure over time increases the risk of developing breast cancer, especially in those women who carry the "breast cancer gene." The newest type of mammogram, touted as the best yet, which provides 3-D imaging of the breast, uses three times the amount of radiation in a regular mammogram, thus increasing the risk of causing cancer!
Although mammograms can and do detect breast cancers, there is a sobering false positive rate as well as a false negative rate. On top of that, doctors are realizing that a significant number of in situ cancers found by mammogram, if left alone, could exist in the breast harmlessly for many years, if not the entire lifetime. But once they are "found," doctors insist on treating them with invasive treatments that serve to weaken the body's own defenses against cancer and even cause more cancer.
There are other harmless imaging techniques such as ultrasound, MRI, and thermography to detect breast cancer which should be considered before mammograms.
Mammograms have been one of the cash cows of the cancer industry for years, and I doubt they will be given up any time soon, despite concrete scientific proof of the complete lack of benefit.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Setting the Record Straight
A couple weeks ago, I ran into an acquaintance in a parking lot. We made some small talk and talked about cancer (he is an older gentleman with cancer), and at one point he said, "You aren't going to the doctor, though, are you?" I corrected him because that isn't true, but it made me wonder how many other people who know me or know of me think that I am not seeing a doctor. Are people assuming that because I am not having radiation or chemo that means I am not seeing a doctor?
Just to clear the record, I am seeing a doctor. I have an oncologist with whom I have met three times now. I had a six-month follow-up in December with him following an ultrasound scan of my right breast (which was clear). He also did more blood work. Sometime in June, I will be due to see him again for another follow-up.
My oncologist told me that he doesn't routinely do MRI, PET scans, etc., unless there is a reason to think the cancer has spread. He said that he has found those tests to be unhelpful unless there is enough cancer to detect. When I asked him about checking 'tumor markers', he basically said the same thing. He did have them checked in December just to have a baseline with which to compare future levels. So unless I start experiencing symptoms which may indicate that the cancer has recurred or spread, I won't be having much done.
A note on having ultrasound on my breast instead of a mammogram: mammograms use radiation which accumulates in the body and increases the risk of cancer. The more mammograms one has, the more the risk increases. This is why I chose to have an ultrasound. Ultrasound can't pick up micro-calcifications, which can be cancerous, but I'm not concerned about finding those. I just want to be aware of any masses or lumps that may be forming.
Just to clear the record, I am seeing a doctor. I have an oncologist with whom I have met three times now. I had a six-month follow-up in December with him following an ultrasound scan of my right breast (which was clear). He also did more blood work. Sometime in June, I will be due to see him again for another follow-up.
My oncologist told me that he doesn't routinely do MRI, PET scans, etc., unless there is a reason to think the cancer has spread. He said that he has found those tests to be unhelpful unless there is enough cancer to detect. When I asked him about checking 'tumor markers', he basically said the same thing. He did have them checked in December just to have a baseline with which to compare future levels. So unless I start experiencing symptoms which may indicate that the cancer has recurred or spread, I won't be having much done.
A note on having ultrasound on my breast instead of a mammogram: mammograms use radiation which accumulates in the body and increases the risk of cancer. The more mammograms one has, the more the risk increases. This is why I chose to have an ultrasound. Ultrasound can't pick up micro-calcifications, which can be cancerous, but I'm not concerned about finding those. I just want to be aware of any masses or lumps that may be forming.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Mixed Feelings
I am definitely experiencing mixed feelings and mixed thoughts about having breast cancer. The biggest contributor to this is the fact that I am not pursuing standard treatment.
I am not a typical cancer patient.
I don't look like a typical cancer patient. I don't have the telltale bald head covered by a scarf or hat; I still have both breasts intact. I don't know what it's like to be fatigued, nauseous, sick, or feel any of the other unpleasant side effects of treatment. I really cannot relate very well to typical cancer patients, because even though I have cancer, I have not experienced what they experience. To be honest, I don't feel like a "legitimate" cancer patient.
It's odd, because I still think about the cancer every day. But I'm not reminded that I have cancer by the symptoms and side effects of treatment; I am reminded of it every time I eat--or want to eat. Since I am pursuing a cancer-fighting diet, I am very conscious of everything I put in my mouth. Praying, "Lord, bless this food to my body," before meals has taken on a whole new meaning. Every food I eat is either helping my body fight cancer or helping the cancer grow.
I don't feel like a cancer patient. I look better than I have since before I got married 20 years ago, and I feel better--and healthier--than I ever have. But I have cancer.
Which brings me to another conundrum: is it accurate to say that I have cancer? Do I say, "I have cancer," or "I had cancer," or...what? I guess I have taken to saying, "I was diagnosed with cancer..." The margins were clear from the lumpectomy, so it appears that the surgeon successfully removed all of the cancerous mass that was there. But there is no way of knowing definitively whether or not any cancerous cells were left behind. Since I chose not to have the lymph node biopsy, it is also unknown at this point if the cancer spread. Whenever anyone asks how I'm doing, I usually say something like, "I feel fine...I don't know if I am fine, but I feel great." Unless/until the cancer manifests itself again somewhere, I won't know if it's still lurking in my body or not.
It's a waiting game.
I am not a typical cancer patient.
I don't look like a typical cancer patient. I don't have the telltale bald head covered by a scarf or hat; I still have both breasts intact. I don't know what it's like to be fatigued, nauseous, sick, or feel any of the other unpleasant side effects of treatment. I really cannot relate very well to typical cancer patients, because even though I have cancer, I have not experienced what they experience. To be honest, I don't feel like a "legitimate" cancer patient.
It's odd, because I still think about the cancer every day. But I'm not reminded that I have cancer by the symptoms and side effects of treatment; I am reminded of it every time I eat--or want to eat. Since I am pursuing a cancer-fighting diet, I am very conscious of everything I put in my mouth. Praying, "Lord, bless this food to my body," before meals has taken on a whole new meaning. Every food I eat is either helping my body fight cancer or helping the cancer grow.
I don't feel like a cancer patient. I look better than I have since before I got married 20 years ago, and I feel better--and healthier--than I ever have. But I have cancer.
Which brings me to another conundrum: is it accurate to say that I have cancer? Do I say, "I have cancer," or "I had cancer," or...what? I guess I have taken to saying, "I was diagnosed with cancer..." The margins were clear from the lumpectomy, so it appears that the surgeon successfully removed all of the cancerous mass that was there. But there is no way of knowing definitively whether or not any cancerous cells were left behind. Since I chose not to have the lymph node biopsy, it is also unknown at this point if the cancer spread. Whenever anyone asks how I'm doing, I usually say something like, "I feel fine...I don't know if I am fine, but I feel great." Unless/until the cancer manifests itself again somewhere, I won't know if it's still lurking in my body or not.
It's a waiting game.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Stress!
There are many facets of good health beyond diet and nutrition, one of which is avoiding as much stress as possible. It's proven that excessive stress has adverse effects on physical health, and I have been taking that to heart. Obviously, it is impossible to avoid all stress--and all stress isn't necessarily "bad." Good things like getting married or having a baby or getting a new job all involve some amount of stress even though they are positive life changes. One of the keys is recognizing which situations I have control over and which I don't. What I can't control, I try to leave in God's hands. What I can control, I try to deal with wisely. And I try to avoid worrying about any of it--whether I can control it or not. Worry is a sinful lack of trust in God.
Having said that, lately it seems that the harder I try not to be stressed, the more stress I have in my life--stress at church, stress at work, financial stress. This is frustrating for me. But frustration causes more stress, so I can't allow myself to be frustrated! HA!
The finances are a BIG issue. My husband and I like to avoid unnecessary debt, and we do pretty well at not carrying credit card balances or other debt besides our home mortgage. We also maintain a savings account with designated funds and some emergency money. But 2013 was not a good year. It started off with some large dental bills, even after what insurance covered. A few months later our refrigerator died and had to be replaced. We didn't buy a fancy stainless steel model or anything--just plain white with no add-ons like ice makers or water-in-the-door--but it was still $1500. Okay. We thought, "This isn't horrible; it's manageable. We'll be able to take care of it with some time." A couple months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two weeks after my diagnosis, my husband broke both bones in his ankle. He ended up having surgery before I did. Insurance ended up covering most of it, but we had to meet our high deductible first, which was several thousand dollars. Plus my husband was off work for two months; he received some disability pay, but it's not enough to pay the bills. I didn't miss much work, but it ended up being at least one day per pay period for a couple months. God sustained us through the pay we did receive and through generous gifts from a lot of people who blessed us. The final straw was having to replace our furnace during the very cold winter--a few thousand more dollars that we don't have. A list of unforeseen events that have left us roughly $10,000 in debt. Sigh. We aren't freaking out or worrying, but we do have to deal with it. So we tighten our belts in every area and come up with a plan to chip away at it. We aren't destitute by any means--still wealthy, in fact, compared to the majority of the world's population--so we keep things in perspective, count our blessings, and realize things could always be a lot worse than they are!
God is still in control--and He never promised life would be without difficulty. We do our best to make wise decisions, be good stewards of what He has given us, and trust Him to work all things out for His glory!
Having said that, lately it seems that the harder I try not to be stressed, the more stress I have in my life--stress at church, stress at work, financial stress. This is frustrating for me. But frustration causes more stress, so I can't allow myself to be frustrated! HA!
The finances are a BIG issue. My husband and I like to avoid unnecessary debt, and we do pretty well at not carrying credit card balances or other debt besides our home mortgage. We also maintain a savings account with designated funds and some emergency money. But 2013 was not a good year. It started off with some large dental bills, even after what insurance covered. A few months later our refrigerator died and had to be replaced. We didn't buy a fancy stainless steel model or anything--just plain white with no add-ons like ice makers or water-in-the-door--but it was still $1500. Okay. We thought, "This isn't horrible; it's manageable. We'll be able to take care of it with some time." A couple months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two weeks after my diagnosis, my husband broke both bones in his ankle. He ended up having surgery before I did. Insurance ended up covering most of it, but we had to meet our high deductible first, which was several thousand dollars. Plus my husband was off work for two months; he received some disability pay, but it's not enough to pay the bills. I didn't miss much work, but it ended up being at least one day per pay period for a couple months. God sustained us through the pay we did receive and through generous gifts from a lot of people who blessed us. The final straw was having to replace our furnace during the very cold winter--a few thousand more dollars that we don't have. A list of unforeseen events that have left us roughly $10,000 in debt. Sigh. We aren't freaking out or worrying, but we do have to deal with it. So we tighten our belts in every area and come up with a plan to chip away at it. We aren't destitute by any means--still wealthy, in fact, compared to the majority of the world's population--so we keep things in perspective, count our blessings, and realize things could always be a lot worse than they are!
God is still in control--and He never promised life would be without difficulty. We do our best to make wise decisions, be good stewards of what He has given us, and trust Him to work all things out for His glory!
What Do I Eat?
I eat fresh, raw fruits, vegetables, and greens--some organic, some not. Organic is best, but I frankly can't afford to buy everything organic. I have learned that cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, etc.) should actually be cooked--long enough to remove harmful compounds that, in a nutshell, contribute to goiters. I drink juices with combinations of lots of fruits and vegetables in them.
I have a source where I can get fresh, organic shiitake mushrooms which are known for their cancer-fighting nutrients.
I drink raw milk and kefir from organic, pastured cows, as well as eating their cottage cheese and ghee (like butter, but with most of the lactose cooked out). I mostly avoid butter and cheese.
I eat eggs from organic, free-range chickens. Sometimes I mix a raw egg into my raw milk and drink it--with some other stuff added in. :)
I eat beef and chicken from the good animals mentioned above as well as using their bones/carcasses to make bone broth. To the broth I add organic lentils, garlic and onions, oregano and turmeric (curcumin), sea salt, as well as whatever vegetables I have on hand--like celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, etc.
I eat wild Alaskan salmon--not Atlantic.
I eat fermented foods like sauerkraut (a good, organic source) and miso. Fermented foods are key for gut health--and the majority of the immune system stems from the gut. Probiotics (found in kefir) are also key nutrients for the gut, and apple cider vinegar is beneficial for the gut as well. I will make a hot tea with water, apple cider vinegar, honey, and cinnamon.
I eat raw, organic walnuts, almonds, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) which are soaked to remove the phytates then dried. I want to try Brazil nuts, too. I love pistachios, but I haven't found an organic source yet. I am avoiding cashews (which I love!) and peanuts since they can contain fungus--I will look into that more. I also mix raw organic cacao nibs (the natural form of chocolate) with nuts, seeds, and raisins or cranberries for a snack mix.
I eat chia seeds, freshly ground flax seed, and milk thistle--all organic. I mix them into my juice, milk, kefir, or cottage cheese. I often sprinkle organic ground ginger and cinnamon on my fresh fruit. I am learning more about other herbs, too.
I avoid most grains, but I have occasionally had some quinoa (the only grain that is a complete protein) waffles, and I'll make myself some organic popcorn for a snack, using coconut oil or ghee for the oil. Again, I use sea salt instead of table salt.
I drink purified water.
I have a source where I can get fresh, organic shiitake mushrooms which are known for their cancer-fighting nutrients.
I drink raw milk and kefir from organic, pastured cows, as well as eating their cottage cheese and ghee (like butter, but with most of the lactose cooked out). I mostly avoid butter and cheese.
I eat eggs from organic, free-range chickens. Sometimes I mix a raw egg into my raw milk and drink it--with some other stuff added in. :)
I eat beef and chicken from the good animals mentioned above as well as using their bones/carcasses to make bone broth. To the broth I add organic lentils, garlic and onions, oregano and turmeric (curcumin), sea salt, as well as whatever vegetables I have on hand--like celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, etc.
I eat wild Alaskan salmon--not Atlantic.
I eat fermented foods like sauerkraut (a good, organic source) and miso. Fermented foods are key for gut health--and the majority of the immune system stems from the gut. Probiotics (found in kefir) are also key nutrients for the gut, and apple cider vinegar is beneficial for the gut as well. I will make a hot tea with water, apple cider vinegar, honey, and cinnamon.
I eat raw, organic walnuts, almonds, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) which are soaked to remove the phytates then dried. I want to try Brazil nuts, too. I love pistachios, but I haven't found an organic source yet. I am avoiding cashews (which I love!) and peanuts since they can contain fungus--I will look into that more. I also mix raw organic cacao nibs (the natural form of chocolate) with nuts, seeds, and raisins or cranberries for a snack mix.
I eat chia seeds, freshly ground flax seed, and milk thistle--all organic. I mix them into my juice, milk, kefir, or cottage cheese. I often sprinkle organic ground ginger and cinnamon on my fresh fruit. I am learning more about other herbs, too.
I avoid most grains, but I have occasionally had some quinoa (the only grain that is a complete protein) waffles, and I'll make myself some organic popcorn for a snack, using coconut oil or ghee for the oil. Again, I use sea salt instead of table salt.
I drink purified water.
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