October 2013

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but for me breast cancer awareness is an everyday thing. Without the benefit of early detection the story of my life would be very different. Thanks to the power of pink, awareness is up. But unfortunately breast cancer is still the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death. Despite advances in detection and treatment the battle to defeat breast cancer has not yet been won and experts believe it’s time to focus on prevention. 

Here are just some things every woman needs to be aware of . . .  

You can lower your risk of developing breast cancer:

• Exercise – According to new research from the University of Minnesota, a few hours of physical activity each week can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 30 percent.
• Eat Right – Everyone knows that vegetables are good for you but now the Harvard School of Public Health is reporting that vegetable consumption has been linked to a lower risk of ER-positive breast tumors -- the type of breast cancer that affects 70% of those diagnosed.
• Exemestane – A new drug called exemestane, given to postmenopausal women with an increased risk of developing breast cancer (family history), has been shown in clinical trial to reduce the risk of developing ER-positive breast cancer by up to 73 percent.
• Don’t smoke – Women who smoke have a 12% greater risk of developing breast cancer than those who never smoked.

Mammograms and monthly self-exams are important but smarter screening techniques have been developed:

• Density Matters -- Several states have enacted laws that require patients be notified if they have very dense breast tissue because women with dense breast tissue have as much as a four time greater risk of developing breast cancer compared to women with don’t have dense breasts.  If you have dense breasts opt for digital mammogram.  Digital mammography makes it easier for screeners to detect abnormalities in the breast.
• 3-D Digital Mammography -- Digital breast tomosynthesis with 3-D imaging produces a more complete image than 2-D imaging techniques.  Unfortunately at this point in time 3-D imaging is not covered by most insurance plans. 

Research has lead to better understanding and thus better treatment methods:

• Safer Radiation Techniques – Research has shown that administering a high dose of radiation during a lumpectomy is as effective as a 6-week course of postsurgical radiation with less harm to the lungs and heart tissue of the patient.
• Margin Probe Approved  – With the help of the Margin Probe device, surgeons are better able to assess the margins of a tumor to determine whether the removal of additional tissue is warranted.
• Kadcyla – In February 2013 the FDA approved the use of Kadcyla for HER-2 positive breast cancer patients.  Kadcyla has been called a “smart bomb” because it delivers chemo straight to the cancer cells.  It has been shown to extend the survival rate of breast cancer patients and decrease chemotherapy related side effects.
• DigniCap – It’s bad enough that you’ve had to have your breasts surgically removed but then the treatment to save your life makes all your hair fall out. Wearing this cold cap during treatment has been shown to reduce toxins in the hair follicle that lead to hair loss. Thanks to DigniCap the quality of life for many breast cancer patients has been enhanced.

Breast Cancer and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare):

Think what you want about the Affordable Care Act but one good thing I’ve learned is that under the terms of the Affordable Care Act women cannot be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition, preventative screening and early detection services will be provided at no cost for women 40 and over, lifetime dollar limits on coverage are prohibited and there will be restrictions on out-of-pocket costs for treatment.

Make the time to be good to you by doing all you can to prevent breast cancer. I challenge you to take charge of your health.  It is without question the most important thing you can do for yourself, for those you love and for those that love you.

Good Health!

Terry

“Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.”

~Angelina Jolie, mother of 6, actress/director, made the choice to have a prophylactic double mastectomy

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September 2013

 

In July of this year Annette Fredskov, a 41-year-old Danish mother of two, shattered the Guinness World Records for Most Marathons Run on Consecutive Days and Most Marathons Run in a Calendar Year by a female. Fredskov ran 366 marathons in 365 days -- Amazing!  You realize just how amazing when you learn that Fredskov was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 3 years ago. "We humans can do much more than we think," she wrote on her blog. "We are the ones who set the limits of our body and spirit.”  She added, " I would also like to provide evidence that, even with a diagnosis (Multiple Sclerosis in my case), people shouldn’t be held back from living life to its fullest and fulfilling ones dreams."

Actress Valerie Harper didn’t go into hiding after announcing to the world that she had been diagnosed with a rare, terminal brain cancer.  Who would have blamed her if she had chosen to hide away at home out of the Hollywood spotlight?  Instead she has chosen to challenge herself physically and mentally and appears to be thriving.  In fact, ABC just announced that Valerie Harper is a contestant on the 17th season of Dancing with the Stars.

And then there’s 64 year-old endurance swimmer Diana Nyad who made history earlier this month when she swam 110 miles in shark and jelly fish infested waters from Cuba to Key West.  Nyad swam for nearly 53 hours fulfilling a 35-year dream of being the first person to accomplish this incredible feat without a shark cage. She never gave up even when she failed publicly, several times, or when others told her that at her age it might not be possible.

Three incredible women – three inspiring stories – three female heroes.  Next time you are afraid to try something new or you think that you are too old to try something new I encourage you to remember Annette, Valerie and Diana. Don’t let perceived limitations or the fear of failure rob you of the tomorrow of your dreams. Whatever your dream -- to start a new career in your 50’s, climb Mount Kilimanjaro or learn to play the piano -- there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Don’t let society hold you back.  Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your dream(s). Could there be anything healthier or more personally fulfilling than to be able to say that you lived your life without regrets?

Make the time to be good to you and be your own hero.

Good Health!

Terry

"When life asks you to dance, you have to dance.”

~Valerie Harper

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August 11, 2013

Last month I told you about the alarming number of women in this country dying due to accidental prescription drug overdoses.  About a week later I was watching Katie Couric’s daytime talk show when her guest was Cheryl Shuman, the 53-year-old founder of the Beverly Hills Cannabis Club and self-proclaimed “Martha Stewart of Marijuana.” Shuman began using medical marijuana after becoming frustrated with the prozac and xanax her therapist prescribed for the treatment of severe depression. Shuman was so pleased with how she felt after taking 2 hits on a joint (her therapist rolled for her) that she began growing and selling her own cannabis.  Shuman even credits her recovery from cervical cancer to her medical marijuana treatment.  Shuman doesn’t smoke cannabis, she vaporizes it, cooks with it, drinks cannabis juice on a daily basis and teaches Beverly Hills Cannabis Club members to do the same to cure what ails them. They’re also using cannabis cream, lotion and ointment topically to target specific nerve cells.  Shuman does stress that cannabis should only be used by responsible adults and does not endorse the use of cannabis by the young or those with addiction issues while also making the claim that cannabis is safer than aspirin. Now I need to tell you that Shuman is a PR expert and currently in development for a reality TV series based on her life and cannabusiness.  The natural conclusion you might come to is that she is just taking advantage of California law and desperate people.

But what would you think if I told you that highly respected neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent (reportedly a one-time Obama candidate for Surgeon General of the United States) Dr. Sanjay Gupta has come out publicly in favor of medical marijuana? Dr. Gupta believes that marijuana has been “demonized” and that marijuana used for medical purposes is less addictive than many other drugs now being prescribed.  In fact, a majority of doctors say they would prescribe medical marijuana if it were legal but that they have some concerns regarding the quality of the cannabis, problems with dosing and potential side effects. Like it or not, marijuana is becoming more mainstream everyday. Fifty –two percent of Americans polled believe marijuana should be legal.  The newest “mother’s little helper” is currently legal in 18 states and the District of Columbia and compassionate care acts are the topic of debate in many state legislatures.  Medical marijuana is predicted to be a 47 billion dollar business by 2016.

Honestly, I’ve gotta tell you I’m a little conflicted. I certainly don’t want us to become a nation of stoners.  But as a breast cancer patient it’s hard for me to turn my back on the potential benefit of medical marijuana when there is credible research that indicates it may slow cancer growth, inhibit formation of new blood cells that feed tumors and help manage pain, fatigue, nausea and other side effects of cancer treatment. The conservative, mother and Midwestern housewife in me fears the effects of marijuana on the developing brain, the potential for misuse, overuse and abuse and the well documented health concerns related to the use of marijuana.  Is medical marijuana the answer to the prescription drug overdose epidemic, a potential treatment for cancer, a defense against the plaque build up in the brain that causes dementia and the answer for millions who live each day in debilitating pain?  Will the long-term health of women be harmed or helped by the legalization of medical marijuana?  These are all questions best answered by someone wiser than myself.

Find out more information on this highly controversial health issue by watching  “Weed:  A Dr. Sanjay Gupta Special” tonight, August 11 on CNN.

Make the time to be good to you and the next time you are invited to a “potluck” party you might want to verify what that means before you arrive with your famous tuna noodle casserole.

Good Health!

Terry

“The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there"

~ Betty Grable, American Film Actress

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