The Breast Cancer Blog » October 2007

October 29, 2007

New research suggests that getting a lot of sun exposure may reduce the risk of advanced breast cancer in women with light skin. In fact, it may reduce the risk by as much as 47 percent.

Researchers say the protective factor most likely comes from the active form of vitamin D the body produces when exposed to sunlight. Fair-skinned women produce more vitamin D when exposed to sunlight than do their darker-skinned counterparts.

While experts warn against too much sun exposure, they also warn against the dangers of no sun exposure, especially in light of this study and other recent studies that indicate a direct correlation between vitamin D deficiency and cancer risk.

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October 21, 2007

In partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Serta is running the Counting Sheep for the Cure™ Bedroom Makeover essay contest.

Breast cancer survivors are invited to submit essays of 150 words or less on how breast cancer has affected their lives. Friends and family members of survivors can also submit essays nominating a breast cancer survivor for the prize. Essays are being accepted from now until November 30, 2007.

Two winners will receive a $10,000 bedroom makeover from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Thom Filicia.

Serta will also donate $5,000 to Komen for the Cure in each of the two winners’ names.

Essays can be submitted online at Serta.com or at any America's Mattress store. Those who drop their essays off at an America's Mattress store will receive a special Serta Counting Sheep for the Cure gift.

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October 16, 2007

Whether you have a family history of breast cancer or not, there are some things you can do that may reduce your chances of getting the disease. From lifestyle choices to eating certain foods, here are ten things that may make a difference.

Exercise regularly
Regular exercise may cut the risk of breast cancer by as much as 25 percent.

Maintain a healthy weight
Research suggests that women who maintain a BMI (body mass index) of less than 25 have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who are overweight.

Avoid red meat
A study of 90,000 women found that those who consumed a lot of red meat doubled their breast cancer risk compared to women who rarely ate red meat.

Limit alcohol consumption
Several studies have found a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Some experts recommend women keep alcohol consumption to 7 drinks per week or fewer while others say women should avoid alcohol altogether.

Eat more garlic
Animal studies have shown that garlic may prevent breast cancer and slow its growth. Research has also shown that cooking garlic with red meat reduces carcinogenic chemicals in cooked meat.

Supplement with CoQ10
Several studies suggest that supplementation with CoQ10 may prevent breast cancer and slow its progress. CoQ10 is also an overall immune system booster and may prevent other types of cancer as well.

Consume plenty of cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and cabbage may reduce levels of two kinds of estrogen that may cause breast cancer.

Add turmeric to your diet
In animals studies, turmeric prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs and may prevent its occurrence as well.

Eat more eggs
In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.

Get plenty of vitamin D
Studies show that women who live in places with less sunlight have higher rates of breast cancer. Other research has found lower levels of vitamin D in women with breast cancer compared to women without the disease. Several studies point to vitamin D as an important factor in the prevention and survival rate of many types of cancer.

There's no guarantee that anything will prevent breast cancer but doing some or all of the above just might tilt the odds in your favor and they're all good things to do for your body whether you're concerned about breast cancer or not.

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Related Content
20 Health Benefits of Turmeric
10 Health Benefits of Eggs
12 Health Benefits of Garlic

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October 8, 2007

A new study has found that white women with breast cancer are three times more likely than black women to receive chemotherapy treatment and five times more likely to receive Tamoxifen treatment than black breast cancer patients.

Part of the problem may be that doctors treat white patients differently than black patients.

... one factor may be physicians' ability to communicate effectively with their patients.

"There has been some literature showing that physicians' perception of the patient may be affected by race," said Smitherman. "This includes perceptions of patients' ability to understand choices, a sense of affiliation with patients and the ability to engage patients."

"When we walk into a patient's room, it's not like there's pixie dust and we leave everything back at the door."

One other reason for the disparity, according to researchers, may be that many in the black community are distrustful of the medical establishment.

"There is some, perhaps appropriate, distrust of the medical community," said Smitherman. "It's been shaped from the Tuskegee study on down, and this is passed down through the generations," he added, referring to a notorious study in which black men were not informed of their diagnosis of syphilis, and in some cases, were denied treatment.

Thinking about the story we posted a couple days ago about the woman who had a double mastectomy after being misdiagnosed with breast cancer, perhaps all of us should be just a little distrustful of the medical establishment.

Racial Disparities Affect Breast Cancer Treatment

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According to a new study of women in Finland published in the American Journal of Human Biology, the size and ratio of a woman's hips may influence whether or not her daughters get breast cancer.

A woman's vulnerability to breast cancer, the study found, was greater if her mother's "intercristal diameter" -- the widest distance between the wing-like structures at the top of the hip bone -- was more than 30 centimeters, or 11.8 inches. The risk also was higher if these wing-like structures were round. The breast cancer risk was 2.5 times higher for the daughters of women in whom the widest distance was more than 3 centimeters greater than the distance at the front.

According to the study, breast cancer may be established in the growing embryo in the first trimester of pregnancy when it is exposed to high levels of sex hormones circulating in the mother's body.

Hip Size Of Mothers Linked To Breast Cancer In Daughters

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October 6, 2007

A 35-year-old single mother from New York has undergone an unnecessary double mastectomy after her biopsy results were mixed up with another woman's.

"I remember the words, 'You don't have breast cancer, you never did,'" Eason said today on "Good Morning America."

The news was stunning.

"I have a philosophy that you have to laugh to keep from crying, so I try to laugh as much as I can," Eason said.

It seems unthinkable that such a thing can happen. The article suggests getting a second biopsy if you are diagnosed with cancer.

Eason is suing the laboratory that mixed up the biopsies for an undisclosed sum.

Mastectomy Mistake: 'You Don't Have Cancer'

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October 5, 2007

As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gatorade is teaming up with the NFL to raise funds for breast cancer. The NFL has declared Oct. 6 and 7 NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend.

During the 14 games played on those days, players such as Peyton Manning will be using special edition pink Gatorade towels. The towels will be autographed by the players and put up for auction.

Proceeds from the auction will go to two breast cancer organizations, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Visit the NFL auction site to take part.

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