It seems everywhere we turn we are reminded it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I think it’s a great tribute to all those who have suffered because of this and other cancers. It is my guess that those people do not wish the same suffering on anyone else, and so we, as their loved ones, should take it seriously enough to be taking all possible precautions to be cancer-free.
Here are some stats: "Breast cancer death rates have declined steadily since 1990. The drop has been larger among women under 50 (3.2% per year) than among women over 50 (2.0% per year).
An estimated 230,480 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2011. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, after skin cancer. Breast cancer accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed in women." (Learn About Cancer)
As you find out, when you take the quiz on Breast Cancer Myths Debunked: you are not doomed to cancer from genetics; you should keep a healthy weight; signs of cancer are not always obvious; alcohol intake increases your risks; sweating helps your body detox; breastfeeding decreases your risks. I highlighted these particular statements, because they emphasize where I’m headed with this week’s toxicity topic. We determined in Mick's Max Workout that you are not doomed to being out of shape. Well, take heart: you are not doomed to cancer, either. Don’t give up, even if you have a family history of cancer. There is hope! Do what you can to take precautions. Since we’re addressing minimizing toxins this week , the last of the 5 Essentials my family follows, it’s a great time to tie it all in with awareness.
Thankfully, I have not had to deal with anything so serious in my life at this point. The closest I got personally was when a lump was detected a few years ago. I wasn’t yet 40 years old, but I was sent for a mammogram and the results caused enough concern to send me for an ultrasound. I’m thankful it didn’t get further than that. The test determined it is a cyst. Even though my husband and I had prepared ourselves for the worst, we were ever-so-thankful for that good news. Now, he and I are doing what we can to avoid another scare, as well as pass the lifestyle on to our kidderz.
I think it’s important to take precautions, but I have my reasons for not liking the idea of regular mammograms. There are some debates about the safety and the necessity of mammograms, which gives more attention to alternative techniques, such as Digital Tomosynthesis. Most of us will be relieved to hear the recommended age to begin regular mammograms is now 50 years old, and then only every-other year. You can read more at: Science Daily, Can Tomosynthesis Find Breast Cancer Better Than Mammography, Healthy Body Daily
“Perhaps most troublesome is that mammograms aren't lifesaving for all women, though many people assume they are. Statistics vary, but at best, they only reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 20%. ‘We've made it sound like every cancer can be found early and cured, and that's not true,’ says Susan Love, MD. Mammograms miss many cancers, particularly the fast-growing, aggressive ones that are most likely to strike women under age 50. ‘Mammograms are best at finding the slow-growing, low-grade cancers, not the worst ones,’ she says.” (Lauren Gelman of Prevention)
Early detection is a wonderful thing. Don’t get me wrong. This Spring, early detection allowed my mother-in-law to begin addressing decisions to change her lifestyle (improving her exercise and already-healthy diet) to combat the cancer cells in her body before it was too late, and now she is on the road to healing. We plan on having her around for a very long time!
"’The most important thing young women can do right now to reduce their risk of breast cancer down the road is to develop healthy lifestyle habits, such as limiting their alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and adding exercise to their routine,’ says Susan Brown, RN, director of health education at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” (Beth Howard of Prevention)
A Maximized Living Webinar coming up this month of October will cover the following topics:
- Breast Cancer Statistics Today
- What the Government is doing to address the epidemic
- Where is all the research money going?
- The difference between early detection/treatment and prevention. What does cure mean?
- The facts about breast cancer causes
- What you can do to prevent breast cancer and raise awareness!
Also, hear how companies offering bad nutrition choices, which can lead to cancer, are jumping on the bandwagon of breast cancer awareness: Susan G Komen for the Cure Isn't Curing Anything
Mick’s sum up:
We should all be responsible enough to take precautions, when it comes to taking care of our body. Some ways to try to avoid cancer are exercising, healthy eating, and keeping toxins low. Mick's in the Oxygen last week explained Exercise = oxygen = healthy cells! Later posts will discuss the nutrition and toxins. What better reason to be on the road to a healthier lifestyle than for your family!?! What’s stopping you?!
Take care of the body God gave you…
and then you can take care of the family God gave you!
“Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
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