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Sunday, October 4, 2015 - 1E

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OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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A Flagstaff Survivor Story:

Kim Duncan

Compiled and Edited by Seth Muller

Photo by Jake Bacon

F

or this year’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to share stories about local survivors from Flagstaff. One of those survivors is Kim Duncan, who runs KD Design and also works as a part-time account executive for Flagstaff Live. She answered

a few questions about her diagnosis, treatment and journey.

When and how did you first learn you have cancer and how old were you? What were some specifics about the diagnosis and prognosis you initially learned?

Funny story, I was watching Giuliana & Bill (reality show) and she was just diagnosed with early breast cancer on the show. And it followed her journey through her diagnosis and decision to have a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. She had such a great attitude and seemed so strong and was back at work a week later. As I was watching I thought to myself, Wow, if I got diagnosed I would do exactly the same thing. I also realized it had been a while since my last mammogram so I made an appointment for the next day at Northern Arizona Radiology. I was 43.

I went in and left. I got a call two days later that they found something and I needed to come back for a biopsy.

I said I wanted in immediately and went in two days later. They called me on a Friday as I was driving down to Sedona to meet a client and said I had DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma Insitu).

The good news is that if you have to have breast cancer it is a good one to have. It was very early stage.

What was going through your mind when you first heard the C-word from your doctor? How did you process this information in the early days of learning you had this illness?

I was eerily calm. I didn’t cry. I asked a lot of questions. And I made my decision

immediately on the phone with the nurse.

I wanted a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. She thought I was being a little aggressive and suggested a lumpectomy and radiation, but I wouldn’t hear of it. My decision was made. I called my sister on the phone, who was in Washington, D.C. at the time on a family vacation.

I called a few good friends and told them, the entire time remaining very calm.

I knew I was going to be OK. I phoned my friend Danette Otzen, who had also been going through treatment for breast cancer. Hers was much more advanced and she underwent a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, but also had to do months of radiation and chemo.

I asked her a ton of questions and she went with me to my plastic surgeon.

Who were some of the more important people, services and organizations that supported you through your cancer diagnosis and treatment? What brought you the greatest comfort during those times?

I could not have gotten through all of this without my amazing friends and family. My sister Holly took amazing care of me. My dad Will and his amazing wife Jeannie, who were living in Indonesia at the time but flew me to Europe that following October and gave me something exciting to look forward to: my brother Aaron and Sister in Law Noni! Ashley Peak, who was there for me through the whole thing, organized all of my doctor appointments and got my amazing crew of physicians and surgeons together so I didn’t have to thank about it. Thank YOU! Brandi Boudreaux who was awesome and stayed the night with me in the hospital so I didn’t have to be alone. Becky Cordasco for being there as I went in. She my sister and Ashley were all there as I was going into surgery — they were a mess and crying: I was fine. I knew my mom was with me in spirit and I was going to be OK. And to four amazing women who have all gone through or are continuing to go through the fight.

Their courage, grace and attitude made me strong and want to handle it just like them: Fon Cordasco, Laura Wilson, Danette Otzen and Lila Javen. It was because of them I did not and would not feel sorry for myself, and keep a positive attitude through it all. And everyone else who came to visit me in the hospital and brought me food and loved and supported me, thank you!

Along with the medical treatments, did you discover any other ways to improve your mental, physical and/or spiritual health? Did you try adapting new diets, exercise regimens, or take up hobbies or activities to help your overall well-being?

I found out my cancer is progesterone and estrogen positive receptors, therefore I had to immediately cut out all soy, flax seed or anything that increases estrogen. I try to limit sugar, grains, wheat and eat clean as much as possible. But, hey, you have to cheat every now and then. I was working out weekly with Ryan Whited at Paragon Athletics before my surgery and after.

I credit his workouts to making me stronger and the recovery process easier!

I was up and moving as soon as they let me out of bed. I did not lie around, that actually made it worse. I also realized life is too short to be too stressed and have really tried to balance work life, time with friends and family and incorporate yoga back into my life.

Having regular screening mammograms and performing self-exams consistently won’t prevent breast cancer, but they are two important components of early detection, which can improve your chances of survival.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Learn how to perform self-exams at a free class offered by the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare in the Breast Cancer Resource Center, 1215 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff

• • • •

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To register for a class, please call 928-773-2261 or 1-800-854-7744.

Cathy Thoemmes, R.N., O.C.N., who has 23 years’ nursing experience – including Oncology nursing certification – teaches the class. Cathy is also a MammaCare Method® breast self-exam instructor. This 90-minute class teaches the MammaCare Method® of breast self-exam using video and life-like breast models. You will leave this class feeling empowered and knowledgeable about your own breast health.

Sponsored by:

2E - Sunday, October 4, 2015

Arizona Daily Sun

Eat Pink!

Special advertising supplement

10 W

Foods for Breast Cancer Recovery and Prevention

By Bev Bennett | CTW Features

hat you eat could play an important part in your personal fight against breast cancer.

Consuming nutrient-packed foods, maintaining a normal weight, getting

exercise and avoiding both smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

These same steps may increase your potential for surviving it, according to Alice Bender, registered dietitian nutritionist, associate director of nutrition programs, American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), Washington, D.C.

Here are 10 foods Bender and other cancer-nutrition specialists recommend:

1

Berries “There’s lots of research on berries and other colorful fruit,” Bender says.

In animal studies a six-month diet of black raspberries were shown to reduce breast tumor volume in rats by 70 percent.

Although the protective potential for humans is still being studied, berries, which are high in antioxidants, can be a beneficial addition to your diet.

2

Dark Leafy Greens Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, Swiss chard and mustard greens are excellent sources of dietary fiber and folate.

These robust vegetables also contain carotenoids. Some laboratory research finds that carotenoids can inhibit the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells, according to the AICR.

3

Fish Choose fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, says Lori Magoulas, Ph.D., registered dietitian, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick.

Some, though not all, studies show that women who consume more omega-3 rich fish, such as salmon, have a reduced risk of breast cancer compared with those who eat little fish.

In addition, salmon is high in vitamin D, which is being researched for its breast cancer fighting potential.

4

Legumes: There’s an inverse association between the consumption of fiber-containing foods and allcause mortality, according to a 2014 report on breast cancer survivorship produced by the World Cancer Research Fund International/ American Institute for Cancer Research Continuous Update Project Report.

Dried beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber, as well as folate, a vitamin that helps repair damaged cells.

5

Soy

The same 2014 study on breast cancer survivorship looked at soy consumption.

The evidence suggests an inverse relationship between consuming foods that contain soy and all-cause mortality.

Bender describes the link as “limited, suggested evidence” and suggests consuming soy in moderation, such as a half-cup of tofu.

If soy is one of those foods you’ve been told to avoid if you’ve had breast cancer, talk to your healthcare provider.

6

Tomatoes Postmenopausal women who consume more tomatoes are at lower risk for breast cancer, according to a study conducted by Adana A.M. Llanos, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which encourages the body to produce higher levels of adiponectin, a protein involved in the regulation of blood sugar and fat metabolism.

A one-cup serving of tomato juice or a combination of a bowl of tomato soup, a half-cup tomato-based pasta sauce and a tablespoon of ketchup during the day yields a beneficial amount of lycopene, according to Llanos, who conducted her research as a fellow at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study also showed greater benefits for women who had a healthy weight, writes Llanos in an email interview.

10

Whole Grains Like legumes, whole grains are a good source of dietary fiber. Different grains contain specific anticancer compounds, so eat a variety. © CTW FeaturesBrown says.

7

Vegetables With Color “Definitely getting fruits and vegetables is important to prevent breast cancer and important in recovery,” Magoulas says.

“Think of the week: have you eaten anything purple, orange or green?

Embrace color,” Magoulas says.

8

Walnuts “Walnuts are one of the most studied nuts in terms of cancer,” Bender says.

Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

9

Water Dehydration may increase your risk of developing breast cancer by inhibiting the removal of carcinogens in the body’s cells, according to an older study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Water is a calorie-free way to stay well hydrated.

TOGETHER:

A BETTER WAY TO FIGHT CANCER. At Arizona Oncology, we know each cancer is unique.

Together with The US Oncology Network, we bring the expertise of nearly 1,000 physicians nationwide to the delivery of our patients’ care. As the largest group of medical professionals in Arizona dedicated exclusively to cancer, Arizona Oncology touches the lives of more cancer patients than any other provider in the state. We believe together is a better way to fight.

Visit ArizonaOncology.com or call 855-234-HEAL for more information.

From L to R Board Certified Medical Oncologists Peter Mathern, MD, Paul Kuefler, MD, Pamela Miel, MD, Deborah Lindquist, MD, and Michael Vu, MD, PharmD

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4E - Sunday, October 4, 2015

Arizona Daily Sun

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Cindy May

A Flagstaff Survivor Story: Compiled and Edited by Seth Muller

Photo by Jake Bacon

F

or this year’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to share stories about local survivors from Flagstaff. One of those survivors is Cindy May, a

relationship marketing specialist with her company Cindy May Marketing.

She is heavily involved in the community, as she serves on multiple boards such as the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, United Way and YMCA. She also is involved with ECoNA, NACOG and the American Cancer Society and continues to be a pillar of the community and an advocate for a number of nonprofit organizations and causes.

She answered a few questions about her diagnosis, treatment and journey.

When and how did you first learn you have cancer and how old were you? What were some specifics about the diagnosis and prognosis you initially learned?

March 27, 2014. Oh what a day. I was 44 years old with no history of breast cancer in my immediate family. So, when I found a lump in my right breast, I told my husband and called my mom who both said, it’s probably not anything to worry about but you should go to the doctor. I made an appointment with my OB/GYN, who promptly sent me to Northern Arizona Radiology for a mammogram. The doctor who performed the exam immediately scheduled an ultrasound that same day and the following day I had a biopsy. No history, no worries, that’s what I kept thinking.

In fact, I had had a mammogram a year-and-a-half before and all was well. I still thought it was just a precautionary measure and the results would be fine. I told my husband no need to go with me to the doctor’s office when he was to share the results; it would be fine and I’d call him afterwards. Two girlfriends of mine said they would go with me just because, ‘it’s what friends do’ they said. We were laughing and joking in the waiting room and when I was called into the doctor’s office.

We were still smiling and joking and talking about where we would go to lunch afterwards.

The doctor, however, was rather serious.

That’s just how doctors are, right? Then I thought, Why is there a nurse in the room too?

She’s looking kind of serious as well. Alright, time to ask. ‘So Doc, what are we looking at?’

That’s how I said it, with a smile on my face.

He responded seriously and kindly and told me I had two tumors, one large and one small and they were both cancerous. I felt sick to my stomach, frozen in time, trying to process what he was saying, both my girlfriends holding my hands and the rest was a blur. Two cancerous tumors … Does that mean I have cancer? Yes … and so the journey began.

Talk us through your treatments. What were some of the more difficult aspects of the treatment? How long did the treatments last?

My treatment required immediate chemo and after ‘working things out’ with my insurance

company, my first chemo treatment at the Northern Arizona Cancer Center began April 22, 2014. I was given a list of side effects that might happen, and for me, most of them did.

The worst was the extreme fatigue. Days when I could not get my head off the pillow, body aches, no appetite or taste, weight loss that took me down to 97 pounds, hair loss and a few other ‘no fun’ side effects as well. I had four- to five-hour treatments every three weeks for five months, and then a bi-lateral mastecomy followed by another rotation of Herceptin treatments at the cancer center until April of this year.

How are things these days? Is the cancer in remission? How is your health?

I’m doing great. Getting stronger each day and enjoying life. Plus, my hair is growing back thicker and I’ve gained weight! I just celebrated my 45th birthday and it was a birthday feeling like no other. Although the past year and half has been tough, there were so many blessings along the way and I think I’m a better person because of it all. I have my six-month follow-up at the end of October.

I’m a little nervous but all-in-all I’ve got a good life, a wonderful husband, two amazing children, awesome friends and God showing me the way. It’s all good!

Do you have any words of support or advice for someone who is dealing with a breat cancer diagnosis or treatment?

Women, my dear friends, please be sure to have an annual mammogram and do monthly self-exams. You are your best advocate. If it doesn’t feel right or you just aren’t sure, don’t wait. Get it checked out. Although there isn’t a cure for cancer, their certainly have been major advancements.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a cancer survivor?

As a cancer survivor, the most important lesson I learned is that our inner strength is stronger than any disease. I realize many people beat cancer and many don’t, but it’s not a win-orlose game. It’s how we choose to face it that matters most.

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Arizona Daily Sun

Sunday, October 4, 2015 - 5E

Special advertising supplement

Survive, Exercise,

Thrive

By Dana Carman

Exercising during breast cancer treatment and recovery may be the most important thing you can do.

E

rin Chrusciel has had three different types of cancer, including breast cancer. She spent 10 years in and out of doctors’ offices, enduring numerous tests, surgeries and treatments that left her feeling broken. She wanted to get everything back in shape –her mind, body and spirit. At her therapist’s recommendation, she sought out ROW, which stands for Recovery on Water, “a rowing team that gives survivors of breast cancer the unique opportunity to interact, become active in their recovery, and gain support from fellow survivors.” The Chicagobased program has played a hugely important role for Chrusciel, 50, of Evanston, Illinois. “It is allowing me to move. I feel invigorated. I am going outside. I see people. I’m rowing again.

That was such a gift to me,” she says.

Whether it’s rowing or another activity, exercise is imperative for women undergoing breast cancer treatments or in recovery. Studies show that exercise, even after diagnosis, is associated with prolonged survival and improved quality of life. In a 2012 systematic review, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and National Cancer Institute found that 27 out of 45 observational studies showed consistent evidence that “physical activity is associated with reduced all-cause, breast cancerspecific and colon cancer-specific mortality.”

Additionally, a 2011 analysis of published studies regarding physical activity and survival after breast cancer showed that the mortality rate for women who were very active dropped 34 percent when compared to women who weren’t. According to the American Cancer Society, there is increasing evidence that not only is exercise beneficial during treatment and in recovery but that it can reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. (See sidebar.)

While the evidence is clear, the reality is murky. A recent study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that 65 percent of the breast cancer survivors followed were not meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. African American women participants reported lower activity levels prior to diagnosis and lower drops in activity after, which is particularly problematic as African American women have higher breast cancer mortality rates.

Barriers to exercise are not insignificant for breast cancer patients. Treatment eats up a lot of time and can cause significant fatigue and pain. Depression can accompany diagnosis and treatment. Some women must continue working during treatment to afford

the healthcare costs and provide for their families. This is especially true for African American women. Additionally, exercise, even in its cheapest forms, is still not free – shoes cost money as do gyms or programs.

Education also plays a role. While more doctors are recommending exercise, there are still some that emphasize “taking it easy” during treatment and recovery.

Another reason breast cancer patients may not be exercising is due to a possible increased risk of lymphedema, which is swelling, usually in an arm, following axillary dissection (removal of lymph nodes) or radiation. Dr. Cesar Santa-Maria, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer with Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, says that generally exercise is recommended during breast cancer treatment and recovery and encourages his patients to do so. He acknowledges lymphedema is a consideration and recommends patients speak with their oncology teams to assess that risk and take the proper precautions, which may include holding off on limb exercises for about the first four to six weeks after axillary surgery or radiation. However, Dr. Santa-Maria points out that a majority of patients do not develop lymphedema and in the event of it, there are ways to manage it, including exercise. The message is still clear, says Dr. Santa-Maria, “I think the role of exercise is very important for breast cancer recovery.”

Studies and statistics on exercise’s role in recovery are just one part of the whole picture.

It wasn’t the mortality rates that sent Chrusciel back to the sport she once loved in college – it was the need to take back her body and mind from the diseases that were robbing her of her spirit. “Being active reminded me that I am a vital person,” she says. “You remember that as long as you are on this Earth and doing something, you are a valuable member of society and I had sort of lost that sense of

myself – that I was of any value to anybody.

Rowing gave me back that sense of value.”

Jenn Gibbons, founder of ROW, notes something very important about the women she works with on the water: These women may share the common thread of breast cancer but that is secondary to the fact that they are athletes, every single one of them.

This is an important designation because, “you see these women having gone through this experience of not being able to trust their bodies to becoming powerful through this nontraditional and challenging sport,” Gibbons says. “It’s so inspiring.”

There is mounting evidence that not only is exercise a key component of recovery from breast cancer but it can reduce breast cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, which recommends exercise pre- and post-diagnosis, some studies have shown that as little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours a week of brisk walking reduced a woman’s risk by 18 percent. Walking 10 hours a week reduced it even more. Other studies have indicated the reduction of risk is much higher, in the range of 30 to 40 percent when compared to women who are not active.

Dr. Santa-Maria says there is evidence that exercise can lessen the risk. He notes that physical activity goes hand in hand with good nutrition and that by eating a balanced diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods and bad fats, along with physical activity, a person lessens her obesity risk, which has been associated with breast cancer occurrence. Committing to a healthier lifestyle can not only cut the risk of breast cancer but many other diseases and conditions as well, though it’s easier said than done, which is why baby steps are OK. Sit down and make a diet and exercise plan. The goal is to have a lifetime to keep it up.

It’s worth it – it’s lifesaving in every way. © CTW Features

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6E - Sunday, October 4, 2015

Arizona Daily Sun

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The

Healing Arts Expressive Arts Discovery Program marks 10 years of helping cancer patients.

By Seth Muller

A

few years ago, a Flagstaff area woman who suffered from cancer of the salivary glands took part in an arts workshop for cancer patients, which was

part of the Expressive Arts Discovery Program. In the workshop, she made two glass ornaments for her sons, 4 and 7 years old at the time.

She was able to tell her sons that, because she blew the glass to make the ornaments, her breath was captured inside of the glass pieces. And, shortly after the workshop and the program, she passed away.

For Linda Stedman, the founder and organizer for the Expressive Arts Discovery Program, this story epitomizes why she believes in the power of the program. This October, she is marking 10 years since the program’s first workshop, which has been operated under the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship.

“They love it,” Stedman said of the cancer patients who participate in the program. “They succeed in it … It’s so great because at that point they’re not a patient, they’re an artist. It’s not about cancer. And it’s reshaped them.”

Stedman explained that, around 2005, an artist affiliated with Dry Creek Arts—a local organization that supports Western American art and runs Trappings of the American West—suffered from a stroke. She began to inquire to a friend who worked as the director of oncology about whether there was a reentry program to help artists.

This led to a discussion about pairing Trappings artists with cancer patients.

“The first workshop we did was in 2005 with photographer Shane Knight,” recalled Stedman, who noted the EAD program grew from there and has since involved 15 different workshops. “I like doing these workshops. It’s with a group of people I’ve never met. I don’t know what their skill sets are. It’s to have a creative experience that has nothing to do with medical treatment.

I want the patient to succeed. And I want them to have a real quality piece.”

The largest and most involved of their workshops happened in 2011, when they worked with a bronze sculptor’s studio out of Sedona. It became a difficult experience for Stedman, though, as her best friend and Dry Creeks board member Margot Walker was part of that workshop while she battled lung cancer. She passed away shortly after the workshop at the age of 60.

Stedman said she needed a break

from the program, partly because of her loss and partly because of funding challenges. But, in 2014, she was able to bring it back with an Arizona Commission on the Arts Community Catalyst grant.

This rejuvenated the program, which to date has helped 180 cancer patients.

Some of these patients will actually take up the art form with more intensity, such as one woman who has embraced photography following a workshop.

As this article is running in connection with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Stedman noted that some of the participants have had that diagnosis.

But she does not seek out particular kinds of patients or try to balance who participates. She works with the cancer center’s social worker to determine which patients are ideal for the workshop.

“She really identifies which patients and where they are in their treatment and scheduling,” Stedman said of the social worker. “It’s their level of health and what they can do and scheduling and travel. Can they be out on a ranch for two hours? Or is that too much? One of the favorite workshops is the glass-blowing workshop with George Averbeck. And you’re in his studio with two 2,000-degree furnaces. So, you have to pay attention.”

Stedman said that one patient who was in the program noted that, when working with something like glass-blowing, “you can’t think about anything else other than what you’re doing.” This allows the patients a time to disconnect from their daily challenges and mediate on the work.

It appears that the Expressive Arts Discovery Program will continue its work, as Stedman is looking into various kinds of grants and funding and also receives contributions through the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship. And, as she has been told by the staff at the Flagstaff Medical Center Cancer Center, “as long as there are cancer patients, we want the Expressive Arts Discovery Program.”

Learn more at www.drycreekarts.com.

Arizona Daily Sun

Special advertising supplement

10

A

ll women are at a risk for breast cancer and, the older you get, the more that risk increases. How much a person can reduce her own risk depends on the factors at play.

“There are risk factors for breast cancer that we can’t control, including your age and gender,” says Deb Kirkland, RN and patient navigator at The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. “But there some simple changes you can make that will bring that risk down.”

Here are 10 simple changes you can make in your everyday life starting right now that could reduce your breast cancer risk: 1.Factor It All In “Every woman should take the Gail Model assessment test (www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool), which measures your risk for breast cancer,” says Dr. Pedro Serrano-Ojeda, chief radiation oncologist and owner of Caribbean Radiation Oncology Center, Doral, Florida.

“You will be asked eight questions and get your level of cancer risk. However, it doesn’t take into account obesity, which has surpassed the use of tobacco as a risk.”

2. Get Moving Get off the couch and exercise, whether it’s a brisk walk around the block, a treadmill workout at the gym or a session of skating at the local roller rink. “Exercising three to five hours a week helps to decrease your risk of breast cancer by 40 percent, and if you’ve already had breast cancer it reduces your risk of reoccurrence by 60 percent,” says Dr. Ruth Lerman, a Beaumont Health internist specializing in breast health and disease

Sunday, October 4, 2015 - 7E

Everyday Life-Changing Tips to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

and mind-body medicine in Michigan.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there have been more than 60 studies about the connection between exercise and reducing the risk of breast cancer. While the benefits have been proven, how much risk it reduces varies in each study (from 20 to 80 percent).

3. Drop the Pounds “Overweight women have a decreased rate of breast cancer, but after menopause, getting to a normal weight actually decreases your risk of post-menopausal breast cancer,” Lerman says.

4. Chill Out According to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, when your body is stressed, it makes stress hormones and these hormones bind with cancer cells. “Stress does a lot of damage to your body and it predisposes you to cancer,” Kirkland says.

One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 2003, found that a master gene called ATF3, which helps cells adapt to stress, also could help cancer spread to other parts of the body.

Find something that helps you to relax when life gets too stressful. Try meditation, walking or music.

5. Don’t Wine Too Much “Avoid high alcohol intake,” Dr. SerranoOjeda says. “There was a study published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2002 of 58,000 women with breast cancer and 95,000 women without. They didn’t pinpoint how alcohol increased the risk of cancer, but it showed that less alcohol was better.”

BREAST CANCER IS ONE OF THE LEADING HEALTH CRISES FOR WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES.

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There is currently no known cure for breast cancer, and its early diagnosis is critical to survival. To show support in the fight to find a cure, we will be donating a portion of sales for the month of October to the Shadows Foundation to help with their Breast Cancer patients & services.

By Lisa Iannucci | CTW Features

6. Eat better “Eat a diet that’s low in fat, high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables,” says Dr. Deena Graham, an oncologist at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, New Jersey. “I believe in eating in moderation, not in fad diets. Eat a chocolate chip cookie if you want it. It’s not going to cause breast cancer, but just make sure that you are eating enough vegetables that cover the color of the rainbow.”

When you’re choosing what foods to eat, Kirkland says to focus on a plant-based diet. “You want to know where your food is coming from,” she says. “The American Cancer Society says that if everyone ate a healthy diet, nearly one-third of all cancers would be eliminated.”

7. Halt the Hormones Serrano-Ojeda says to forget about taking hormones. “Research has shown that taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone has caused an increased risk of breast cancer,” he explains.

8. Up Your D Intake The Vitamin D Council says that women who have breast cancer often have a low level of Vitamin D. “Get your Vitamin D level checked,” Lerman says. “Women with a higher level of Vitamin D are less likely to develop breast cancer, but not everyone should take the supplement.” Talk to your doctor about getting tested and if taking a Vitamin D supplement is right for you.

9. Feel around “Every month you should be performing a breast self-exam in the shower to see if you feel something different,” Serrano-Ojeda says.

If you’re over the age of 40, you should also schedule an annual mammogram. “While there is a lot of controversy, most healthcare providers believe that a mammography detects early breast cancer,” Graham says.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s a good screening tool for someone of average risk. There is some discomfort with mammograms but there are some changes being make it a more comfortable experience.

10. Wash It Out Wash that cancer right out of your hair?

Well, not exactly, but Serrano-Ojeda says that shampoos that contain parabens such as sulfate could possibly increase your risk for breast cancer. Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, including deodorant. They are absorbed through the skin and the gastrointestinal tract.

According to the Federal Drug Administration, a study published in 2004 detected parabens in breast tumors, but the study left several questions unanswered.

Simple changes will not eliminate your risk for breast cancer, but it could give you a fighting chance.

For more information on breast cancer, visit Susan G Komen Foundation at ww5.komen. org or the National Breast Cancer Foundation at www.nationalbreastcancer.org. © CTW Features

CoreBalance Therapy is delighted to announce that we now offer treatment for lymphedema, which is a common side-effect of surgery for breast cancer, in addition to our other women’s health programs for pelvic pain and incontinence.

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Free breast self-exam classes in October at the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare

Hold on to the good things in life!

Having regular screening eening mammograms and performing self-exams consistently won’ won’t prevent breast cancer, but they are e two important components of early detection, which can improve ove your chances of survival.* October is Breast Cancer Awareness eness Month. Learn Lear how to perform self-exams at a free class offered by the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare in the Breast Resour Center, east Cancer Resource 1215 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff:

• • • •

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Thursday,, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Thursday,, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To register egister for a class, please call 928-773-2261 or 1-800-854-7744.

Cathy Thoemmes, R.N., O.C.N., who has 23 years’ nursing experience experie – including Oncology nursing certification – teaches the class. Cathy is also a MammaCare Method® breast east self-exam instructor instructor. This 90-minute class e Method® of br breast self-exam using video teaches the MammaCare ou will leave this class feeling empower empowered and life-like breast models. You breast health. and knowledgeable about your own br

Creating healthier communities…

together

*According to the National Cancer Institute, detecting breast cancer early with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it spreads. Studies show that screening mammography can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74.

NAHealth.com