Cinco Vidas

“I have very dense breasts,” says internet responder, Arl1947. “My doctor sent me for a mammogram after he detected a mass in my right breast. The mammogram was followed by an ultrasound because they couldn’t see anything on the film.”

“I don’t understand why they make women who have dense breast tissue go through so many hoops and emotions to find out that they are okay,” says fellow responder MesaMom. “It’s so time consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining.”

It’s something most of us haven’t heard much about, at least compared to other risk factors like smoking, drinking, and weight gain. But according to recent studies, having “dense breasts” may be an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Researchers from Toronto, Canada, for example, found that women who developed breast cancer had, on average, a baseline mammographic density that was 5.8 percentage points greater than the women who had not developed cancer. Then they compared women who had extensive breast density (density in more than 75% of their breast) with women who had only a small amount (less than 10%). Women with the most dense breasts had 4.7 times the odds of being diagnosed with breast cancer less than 12 months after a negative screening test. (more…)

She called you with the news. She may have been crying. Your girlfriend—that dear person you’ve shared so much with—has cancer. You desperately want to help, but what do you do?

Sometimes we can feel terribly helpless when it comes to friends with cancer. When I had cancer at 16 years old, most of my friends had no idea what to do or say. It’s almost easier when it’s a family member, as we feel we have “permission” to do anything we can think of to help. It’s different with a friend. How can we be sure what she will see as helpful, and what she will feel as intrusive? (more…)

If you’re going through breast cancer—or have survived it—you’re no stranger to stress. But stress takes on a new meaning when it’s paired with cancer. We know that stress attacks the immune system, which scares us into thinking that we may be making our health situation worse with all the worry and anxiety.

I have one question for you: Have you tried meditation? A recent study shows that you should. Researchers at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago studied over 100 breast-cancer patients for over two years and found that those who regularly practiced transcendental meditation experienced less stress, better emotional and mental well being, and an overall improvement in quality of life. (more…)

We mentioned in an earlier post the study that found parabens in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer. However, the FDA maintains parabens are safe. Do we need to worry?

Parabens are popular preservatives used in a wide range of cosmetic products, like shampoos, lotions, shave gels, soaps, makeups, and more. The Journal of the American College of Toxicology reported parabens are currently used in over 13,000 hygiene products. They help deter bacteria from forming, which means the product lasts longer on your shelves. You’ll find them listed on the ingredient deck as methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben. (more…)

Three out of four deaths from colon and breast cancer could be prevented. That’s approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer, and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year. How? By increasing vitamin D levels in the blood.

That’s the conclusion reached by a group of researchers who examined epidemiological findings and over 3,000 research studies on vitamin D and cancer. According to their published paper, “It is projected that raising the minimum year-round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL would prevent approximately 59,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada….Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half.” (more…)

Heidi Floyd, breast-cancer survivor, and her son, Noah.

Breast cancer was in her family. Her mother had passed away when she was only in her 40s. So she knew she was at risk—but she never expected to be diagnosed while she was pregnant.

Her name is Heidi Floyd, and today she serves as Breast Cancer Development Ambassador for the Very Bradley Foundation, traveling the nation raising money for breast cancer research. But when she was diagnosed, she was working in IT sales, and didn’t know where to turn. “The first oncologist I spoke to didn’t know how to treat a pregnant patient,” she says. “He told me my options were to terminate the pregnancy, or carry the baby to term while not addressing the cancer.” (more…)

You may already be conscientious about self exams and regular screening, but do you know the symptoms of breast cancer? Could you tell if you—or someone close to you—were at risk?

Most of us have been so well educated in exams and mammograms that we think they, alone, will warn us of any possible problems. But these methods aren’t foolproof. Many women have saved their own lives by being aware of cancer symptoms, and reporting any unusual sensations or concerns to their doctor.

Below are potential signs or symptoms of breast cancer. No need to be paranoid, as changes in your breasts are usually not related to cancer, but if you experience any of these, check with your doctor just to be safe.  (From “Breast Cancer Symptoms” by Andrea Markowitz, Ph.D., and the Mayo Clinic.) (more…)

Going through radiation therapy for breast cancer? How about a glass of red wine to toast your strength and courage? According to Italian researchers, in the August issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, it may help reduce the skin damage often caused by radiation.

As you may know, radiation can often leave the skin red, irritated, and burned. Sometimes the wounds take several weeks to heal. Most current medications that help prevent skin problems can also reduce the effectiveness of radiation. (more…)

If you have breast cancer that hasn’t responded to treatment with other drugs (like anthracycline and taxane), you may be taking one of the newer drugs on the market called “ixabepilone,” brand-name “Ixempra™.” The FDA approved it in October of 2007 after a quick 6-month review, so it’s still fairly new, and usually used in combination with capecitabine to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer. Basically, it slows or prevents the growth of tumors by preventing cell division.

Some of you have asked us—what’s the low-down on this drug? (more…)

As we consider ways to live healthier and reduce our risk of cancer, we need to be aware of chemicals that act as “hormone disruptors.” These are synthetic ingredients that we’re exposed to in various personal-care and household products that can interfere with the natural hormone systems in our bodies, potentially causing cancer.

Hormone disruptors imitate our real hormones, so the body is “fooled” into thinking they’re the same thing. (more…)