2009 has been a bittersweet year for a lot of people. Not only did our economy take a dive, but also some very famous people left this world. As life goes on, we continue to fight and win and lose our battles. It’s pretty well known that October has been deemed Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And I am happy to celebrate those women who have fought the battle and won. Statistically, if detected early, breast cancer has a very high cure rate. And those women who’ve fought the fight and won are told if they are cancer-free for five years, their chances of recurrence are slim. So, as if on borrowed time, they wait. They get their mammograms, check for lumps frequently. They worry when they feel tired or listless. The threat of breast cancer returning is always looming over their heads. But what about those women who’ve successfully passed the 5-year mark? They should feel safe, right? Not always.
In October 2006, Agenda Magazine did a special on breast cancer awareness. We profiled survivors, interviewed local do-gooders who helped women with their illness, and interviewed
two charities: Divas with a Cure and Bowling for Boobies. I am sad to announce that Edith Speed, the founder of Bowling for Boobies passed away last summer. She had exceeded her 5-year mark, but the cancer came back, and this time it won. It was a shock. It was sudden, and it left me with all sorts of questions.
Edith was my neighbor, our kids played together, and we frequently socialized, either with our spouses or just us girls. I had just chatted with her on facebook, and a few days later I received an email announcing her memorial. How could she have gotten cancer again? She fought so hard to save her life. Edith had a double mastectomy, making sure the disease was wiped clean out of her body with no chance of returning. Yet it did return.
I quickly learned that breast cancer survivors are faced with the possibility of the cancer coming back, as well as an increased risk of developing a new breast cancer. So what happens when the cancer comes back, and how can you prevent it? The following tips may help you keep breast cancer from returning.
1. In clinical studies, tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors have been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence and lower the risk of new breast cancers for certain women.
2. A diet low in fat not only decreases the risk of obesity, it can reduce your risk of breast cancer. We know that estrogen plays a major role in the development of breast cancer. Fat tissue contains small amounts of estrogen and may increase your risk. There have been conflicting studies about fat intake and breast cancer risk; however, all studies have concluded that obesity plays a big part in breast cancer development.
3. Checking your breasts every month may not reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, but it may help detect breast cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is found, the less aggressive the treatment.
4. Studies suggest that smoking at an early age can increase a woman’s risk. Not only can it be a risk for breast cancer, smoking is a definite risk factor for lung cancer.
5. Limit your alcohol intake—each drink you have on a daily basis increases your risk by 7%.
6. Exercise 3-4 times a week.
7. Include different colored fruit and vegetables to ensure you take in a full range of anti-cancer nutrients. Aim for at least 5 portions per day.
8. Include low fat dairy products such as yoghurt, low fat milk, and cottage cheese, which are rich in calcium and often vitamin D, which helps protect us from cancer.
9. Go easy on well-done, barbecued meats. These can contain some cancer-causing substances.
10. Make sure your diet contains fruits and vegetables and high fiber.
Doing these things listed above, will not guarantee a non-recurrence of breast cancer, but you will reduce the risk. For women who have survived breast cancer and have reached their 5-year anniversary, continue to have regular mammograms and do self-breast exams frequently.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like dedicate this October 2009 Issue of Agenda Magazine to Edith Speed, a fighter and philanthropist who helped women with breast cancer through her Bowling for Boobies charity. May the survival rate increase and the risk of recurrence decrease.
To learn more about Bowling for Boobies, visit the website atwww.bowlingforboobies.com.
Read Anthony Heredia’s article “Breast Cancer Risk Factors.”
Kaylene Peoples, Editor in Chief
