What you don't know CAN hurt you!

Todays blog I wanted to talk about breast cancer. Two words that are haunting to most women- and even more haunting for the already young and cancerous. I know for myself, the doc said I have a greater chance now that I have had radiation on my chest. Its funny how that works. To get rid of one cancer you increase your risk of another.

More and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. 'The Cancer Establishment' aka the American Cancer Soceity, National Cancer Institute, and dozens of cancer research centers funded by both of these companies- have lobbyed for basic molecular research, screening techniques, diagnostic tests, and treatment strategies as their 'fight'. don't get me wrong.. early detection is great. What happened to Prevention?

Now because you cannot fully protect yourself from the risks of cancer. (It is everywhere and in everything these days) You can reduce your risks.

First, some FACTS:

1. In 1971 President Richard Nixon declared the "War on Cancer," a woman's lifetime risk for contracting breast cancer was 1 in 14. In 1998 it was 1 in 8. Today 1 in 4 women get breast cancer. For those who have already had another type of cancer, or cancer in their family- our risk is 1 in 2. **ALSO 1 in 3 will get some form of cancer.

2. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women 35-54

3. From 1950-1992 breast cancer rates rose by 55%

4. From 1973-1992 breast cancer rates rose by 47%

***In another blog I wrote about compounds that were formulated in the 1960's. Most of our everyday chemicals under the sink were all made up during this time. Since those chemicals and food preservatives, medications etc were all formulated- cancer rates have rose 67%***

Since 1960 more than 960,000 American women - DOUBLE the number of Americans (male and female) who died in World Wars 1 & 2 and in the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars COMBINED- have died from breast cancer.

Yet many Americans, even physicians mistakenly think that we are winning the war on cancer because of improved testing and treatment methods. = Nothing could be further from the truth! The truth is until prevention becomes top priority , breast cancer rates will continue to climb.

So what we know:

Cancer is a mutated cell. *The cause we are told is unknown

These mutated cells, like all other cells will continue to multiply. Except most healthy cells know when to stop reproducing, as part of their 'code' but when a cell has been damaged by either a carcinogen, or other substance- the cell 'forgets' - and will continue to divide until a cancer forms.

Breast Cancer are cells that have invaded breast tissue or lymph glands in the chest. The cells start to metastasize through the blood; and end up in the lungs, bone, liver and brain.

The genetic research started in the 1980's and continued breakthroughs in the early 1990's. The reason for continued research is the scientists are hoping to find the gene that is 'passed' from your dna- and dismantle it. The truth is: If people in your family have had cancer before its more because you all share the same habits. Living in the same parts of the country, with the contaminated water, food etc. You share and were passed down nutrtional habits. This continues to not be recognized as a cancer producer. But lets continue::

'The Dirty Dozen' 12 Common but unpublicized risks for breast cancer!

Modern Medical Risks

1. Oral Contraceptives, with early and prolonged use

-In 1969 the New York Post read; Senate Told The Pill Can Kill

an article from John Hopkins University quoted Dr. Hugh Davis

"Never in history have so many individuals taken such potent drugs with so little information available as to the actual and potential hazards. The synthetic chemicals in the Pill are quite unnatural and with respect to their manufacture and with respect to their behavior once they are introduced into the human body. In using these agents, we are in fact embarked on a massive endocrinologic experiment with millions of healthy women."

Despite health concerns, the popularity of oral contraceptives coninued to surge.

1986- 56% of women 20-24 were on the Pill.

1998- 86%

In most cases- These women are still taking the pill today. And straight from the pill women continue to estrogen replacement therapy. This increase in hormones has been proven to cause breast cancer over a period of time. These facts continue to go ignored.

2. Estrogen Replacement Therapy, in high doses and prolonged use

3. Premenopausal mammography, with early and repeated exposure

4. Nonhormonal prescription drugs such as some anti-hypertensives

5. Silicone breast implants, especially those wrapped in polyurethane foam

DIETARY AND ENVIROMENTAL RISKS

6. Diet in high animal fat contaminated with undisclosed carcinogens and estrogenic chemicals.

** Milk is one of the highest risk factors** Cows are given estrogenic chemicals in order to continue to produce the milk after they give birth. This inevitably ends up in your morning cereal.

7. Exposure to household chemicals or pollution from neighboring chemical plants and hazardous waste sites.

**household cleaners have tons of synthetic chemicals that your body cannot metabolize- and it stays in your body** You can easily make a cleaner from vinegar and lemon or tea tree oil + water= homemade cleaner. And tea tree oil kills mold.

8. Workplace exposure to carcinogens. ie; tv, computer etc. Radiation from these appliances travels. I try and keep my time on the internet to a minimum.

LIFESTYLE RISKS

9. Alcohol

10. TOBACCO, with early or excessive use

11. Inactivity and sedentary lifestyle

12. Dark hair dyes, with early and prolonged use

=) I'll chat more about alternatives tomorrow.

Megan

*Documented info was taken from 'The Breast Cancer Prevention Program' where there references are sited in their book, by; Epstein, Steinman, and Levert.