October 2011

Approximately 288,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed breast cancer this year. So you might wonder if all the pink ribbons, walks/runs and pink-themed products are making a difference? Absolutely they are! In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. That’s because medical professionals are now able to find tumors earlier, treat them more effectively and reduce the incidence of reoccurrence.

Here is just some of the latest news in the prevention and detection of breast cancer:

… In three to five years, women will have the option for a zero radiation diagnostic test that will offer breast cancer screening 1000 times more sensitive than a mammogram. This technology, which uses magnetic sensors, is currently being tested and has the potential to detect cancers in the breast an estimated 2½ years earlier than a mammogram.

…The evidence that there is an important connection between physical activity and breast health has never been stronger. According to the National Cancer Institute regular exercise lowers the risk of breast cancer in both pre- and post-menopausal women. The why is not certain but it may be that physical activity prevents tumor development by reducing insulin and hormone levels and by improving immune system response.

… A study published in the journal of Nutrition and Cancer found that consuming walnuts slowed both the development and growth of breast cancer tumors in mice. Walnuts contain ingredients shown to slow cancer growth like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols. This reinforces previous research that 30 to 60% of all cancers could be prevented with a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts.

… According to Ruthann Rudel, research director at Silent Spring Institute, if we want to figure out what causes breast cancer we need to conduct chemical safety tests that investigate how chemicals affect mammary tissue. Chemicals like atrazine, a pesticide used in agriculture; dioxins, an industrial pollutant found in some fatty foods; bisphenol A (BPA), found in some water bottles and canned foods; polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, and nonylphenol a breakdown product found in certain laundry detergents. Ms. Rudel is just one of 18 experts pushing for new chemical testing guidelines for safety, human health effects and environmental effects that would require mammary gland assessment.

… And finally, 
a large-scale Swedish study of 6000 women ages 50 to 74 concluded that women who consumed 5 or more cups of coffee a day had a 33 to 57 percent lower risk of developing aggressive ER-negative breast cancer than women who had less than one cup of coffee a day. Those of you who need to justify your Starbucks addiction should be very happy.

Early detection makes a difference. I know because early detection saved my life. Don't be afraid to make your breast health a priority. Talk to your doctor about what screening strategy is right for you. Until a cure for breast cancer is found, early detection and prompt treatment is the only defense against a disease that takes the life of nearly 40,000 women each year. When you make breast health a priority you make the time to be good to you.

Good Health!

Terry

“No! My boobs aren’t natural. My real ones tried to kill me.”
~Unknown Breast Cancer Survivor

September 2011

It has been almost 20 years but, I can still remember listening to another mother at the park describe giving birth to her son . . . in her kitchen . . . in a plastic kiddie pool . . . with her entire family in attendance. At the time I remember thinking ewww . . . . . no way. I never really thought about it again until recently when I heard that the number of mothers having a planned homebirth went up 20% from 2004 to 2008. That of course begs the question -- WHY? What I learned is that there has been a 94% increase in homebirths amongst white women in America. Some of these women are opting for homebirth because it’s cheaper, some because they want to be in charge of their birth experience and some because it is what a growing number of celebrity moms like Ricky Lake, Giselle Bundchan, Cindy Crawford, Kelly Preston and Maria Bello are doing. Homebirth websites tout benefits that include: familiar/comfortable surroundings, no stranger germs, Dad can rest (like that’s important) and convenient access to your favorite foods. Still only about 1% of all births in the US are homebirths. Thankfully my childbearing years are behind me. But I’m thinking the process can’t have changed all that much. It’s still somewhat unpredictable and messy isn’t it? I did it my way – at Methodist Hospital where Todd was able to smuggle in a celebratory cocktail for mom.

For all you ladies who carry those big heavy purses listen up: Ideally, your purse shouldn't weigh more than 10 percent of your body weight. I would encourage you to put your purse on a scale and see how much it weighs. Make the time to be good to you. If your purse is too heavy, give yourself a break -- clean it out or better yet buy a smaller one. Your back will thank you.

Good Health!

Terry

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”
~National September 11 Memorial Inscription

August 2011

Some of you are old enough to remember the iconic 70’s ad campaign in which Euell Gibbons asked, “Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible.” And even though Euell claimed Post Grape-Nuts had a naturally sweet taste that reminded him of wild hickory nuts, I thought they tasted like cardboard. Not any more. I recently became reacquainted with the new and improved Grape-Nuts cereal (http://www.postcereals.com/cereals/grape-nuts). Honestly -- it has been life changing. The 7 grams of dietary fiber in a single serving of Grape-Nuts has had an incredibly positive effect on my digestive system. Not only is Grape-Nuts cereal good for your digestive system it’s also good food for your heart. One ½ cup serving contains 100% of the nutritionist recommended daily amount of whole grains and 0 grams of saturated fat. That is really important because diets rich in whole grains and low in saturated fats and cholesterol can help reduce your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death of women in this country. If that’s not enough to convince you to give Grape-Nuts a try how about the fact that they contain half of a day's requirement for iron, it's a good source of vitamin A and most of the B vitamins and a great source of that oh so important vitamin D. Five or six mornings a week I enjoy ½ cup of Grape-Nuts with a ¼ cup of low-fat milk or yogurt and a handful of fresh berries or dried fruit. I am certainly not a medical professional or nutritionist but I am an expert on me. After years of trying to regulate my moody digestive system I finally found the answer in a bowl of crunchy goodness. It’s good stuff and if it were up to me, Post Grape-Nuts would be classified as a superfood.

Make the time to be good to you -- SMILE.

Good Health & Good Luck to the gals of Team Ped-A-Cure!

Terry

“Is this a hickie or a bruise?”

~Katy Perry, “Last Friday Night”