I recently attended 2 breast cancer symposiums. Here is some information I culled that I think helpful for all women.
Some Stats from USA 2011 data:
231,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer
58,000 new cases of in situ breast cancer
40,000 women died
#1 cause of death in women ages 40-59
Women with metastatic breast cancer are now living 15-25 years after diagnosis
Who Gets breast cancer:
Women age 40 and older, increases to 1 in 24 by age 60
By race, white women have highest incidence
Only 15% of ALL women diagnosed have family history or known inherited genetic traits
Prevention:
Early detection-mammogram starting yearly at age 40
Breast cancer mortality reduced by 25% in women ages 40-49 with screening mammography
3D breast imaging is more accurate, the wave of the future
Exercise
Fiber in the diet, foods that you chew
Vitamin D
Fish oil/Omega 3
Lots of cruciferous veggies like broccoli, and cabbage
Eating organically or local, wild caught fish not farmed raised
Meat or chicken that is grass-finished, your local rancher or market should know
No-No’s:
Limit whites in diet like sugar, bread and pasta
Foods contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides
Use of plastics in microwaves
Parabens and phthalates in cosmetics and fragrances
Alcohol
Smoking
Excess weight
According to Environmental working group, www.ewg, if you don’t always buy organic, here is a shopper’s guide to pesticide in produce, the dirty 12 and the clean 15.
Dirty 12:
Apples, Celery,Strawberries,Peaches,Potatoes
Spinach,Nectarines,Grapes, imported,Sweet Bell Peppers
Blueberries, domestic,Lettuce, Kale/Collard greens
The Clean 15, Lowest in Pesticide:
Onions, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Avocado, Asparagus,Sweet Peas
Mangoes, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, domestic, Kiwi
Cabbage,Watermelon, Sweet Potatoes,Grapefruit,Mushrooms
Take-away:
10 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer my oncologist told me to buy organic, grow as much in my garden organically as possible and get rid of plastics for storage and for use in the microwave. He told me to exercise, get lots of sleep and take Vitamin D. I faithfully followed his recommendations that are now all substantiated with many supporting studies.
Is this information helpful to you?