Full Body Scanners, a Good Idea?

I have some thoughts on the recent press on full-body scanners.  I can appreciate the opinions of David Brenner and David Schauer.  I believe they are likely correct that the amount of radiation one is exposed to during one scan is relatively low and well worth the enhanced level of security.  However, the point is well made that this risk escalates for children and frequent fliers; but what the risk for pregnant women, and people who for medical reasons have already been exposed to a heavy dose of radiation?    It is also a good point that “In the present context, if a billion X-ray backscatter scans were performed each year, one might anticipate 100 cancers each year resulting from this activity.”  One hundred cancers are too many, despite the fact that he suggests this could be the result of a billion scans.  On the flip side, are 100 cancers worth the risk to our National Security?  One of the victims might not agree; not to mention the other “victims”, those who are humiliated from being asked to stand in an embarrassing pose while someone views their naked body.  

“Schauer advocates for stronger government regulation of the use of backscatter X-ray scanners to be certain that passengers are not exposed unnecessarily or to unsafe levels of radiation.” Schauer also suggests that “When a government concludes that security screening of people with backscatter X-rays is justified, then regulatory control should be implemented.” By installing these scanners, one would think they have concluded that our safety is more important than our health or mental health, and if they are not in control, who is? Further, how is one to know the truth in the Government’s risk assessment? How much is too much?  Radiation exposures from the tragic events in Japan really highlight this issue.  I have to agree with Mike Adams that we cannot always assume the government knows best.  After all, weren’t they the same folks who declared the air at Ground Zero “safe” after 9/11?  So, while I appreciate the reassuring words of David Brenner and David Schauer, and agree that the risk is not excessive, we all need to understand that the risk is still real, as real as the threats to our security.  Believe me, I get it, I was downtown for 9/11 and I very much appreciate all that has been done to avoid another such incident.  They added these scanners to protect us, the citizens, but maybe, just maybe, they need to come up with a safer alternative.  

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

CAM Conference Offers Hope and Inspiration

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Annie Appleseed CAM conference.  The conference was loaded with information about complimentary cancer therapies.   The wellness side of the conference highlighted the mind-body connection and we learned there is much we can do to support ourselves both during and after treatment.  One thing I will never forget; the amazing stories.  I met a man who had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer at age 21.  He was told there was no treatment and facing three good months. He decided he did not want his sister to get his room, and went on a healing mission.  Today, 35 years later, he is very much alive and well, sorry sis.  Marissa Harris was diagnosed in 1998 with stage IV pancreatic cancer.  18 doctors told her there was no hope, no treatment and that she would die in three months.  The 19^th doctor told her those other doctors don’t know when they are going to die, so how can they know when she will. He offered her hope and a treatment plan.  I had breakfast with her Saturday, and not only is she alive, she runs marathons!  What was her cure? She changed her conceptual framework.  She learned how to manage stress, and how to handle fear.  Diet, exercise, acupuncture, and self-love were part of her treatment.  She spoke of the anger when her oncologist recommended Chemotherapy.  She said her hair was her most cherished asset. The doctor told her that sometimes you have to lose what you think is most important.  Amazing woman, and yes, the hair grew back just fine.

I also came away from the conference sad.  For all the progress that has been made finding cures and preventive measures, what do you say to the father of a nine year old boy who has just finished treatment for pancreatic cancer?  Do you suggest a better diet, more exercise?  No, that is surely not the cause for his cancer.  It means that we as a community must be vigilant in protecting our children and our environment; we must reduce the toxic load, stop dumping chemicals into our drinking water, stop the overuse of pesticides and learn more about the effects of toxins.  We will never know the cause of this boy’s cancer, but hopefully we can help prevent others from developing this terrible disease.

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

Loving Our Bald Selves

Today I am excited to share a special guest post by Susan Beausang, President of 4Women.com and designer of the newly patented BeauBeau^R head scarf, a fashionable scarf specifically designed for women and girls with medical hair loss. Susan Beausang is a true warrior for women and a godsend for women with medical hair loss.  4Women.com's mission is to help women and girls cope with the emotional upheaval of medical hair loss with dignity and confidence and to advocate for greater understanding of the emotional impacts of medical hair loss among medical professionals and the public.

 

Loving Our Bald Selves

If we can face life’s challenges feeling good about ourselves, we can often meet those challenges with more clarity, more determination, and more understanding.  At no time is such love of self more important than when fighting cancer.  And yet many women find their love of self to be compromised by the emotions stirred when they find a bald, “sick-looking” person staring back at them in the mirror.  Even women who rise above self-deflating thoughts must guard against the public stares, looks of pity and unsolicited comments that remind them that they visually represent cancer simply because they lack hair. 

As our awareness of the relationship between emotional well-being and physical healing grows, cancer care is gradually expanding to include emotional and appearance support.  Nonetheless, there is still very little real understanding of the emotional impacts of medical hair loss.  Without hair, many women feel stripped of their identity and femininity, making it even more difficult to maintain the sense of positive optimism that is so important for healing.  Those women need to know that hiding is neither the only nor the best option.  Women who lose their hair during chemo want to continue living, not just coping.

Among those women who lose their hair due to chemotherapy, some consider it to be the least of their worries, insignificant or even liberating.  Women's responses are as diverse as women.  There are women who find it to be one of or even the most difficult aspect of cancer.  Those women find few or no resources to acknowledge or assist them with the emotions triggered by hair loss, and they have little time and energy to seek out those resources or support.  Well-meaning friends and family may minimize or dismiss their feelings, wrongly assuming that it is a somehow separate and less traumatic issue than the cancer itself.  As a result, women can suffer in isolation, made to feel vain, guilty, or out-of-touch with what matters most if they express or show their true grief.  Up until a woman loses her hair to chemotherapy, she will often put most of her energy into maintaining a sense of normalcy for the benefit of loved ones, especially children.  Many women find that it is their hair loss that pushes their parents, partners, and children over the edge with fear. 

Rather than face the emotional side of chemo-induced hair loss alone, women need more understanding, more resources, and more options for coping with the drastic assault on their self-esteem that often accompanies hair loss.   In addition to greater awareness, women need more fashionable, more comfortable, more stylish options for headwear so that they can maintain their sense of dignity and self esteem in the face of cancer.  There is a common misconception that when facing something as terrible as cancer, women will settle for any head cover and are unwilling to spend money on their appearance.  While this may be true of some, there are many, many women who desperately want to feel normal and beautiful despite cancer.  Wigs allow many women to face cancer without advertising their health status to co-workers or to the general public.  For many others, wigs feel extremely unnatural and tend to magnify the negative emotions that come with their hair loss.  "Cancer turbans" not only sound like disease accessories but often make women feel older and less fashionable. 

Women need options for maintaining their sense of self-esteem, normalcy and vitality during cancer treatments so that their love of self is never compromised.  Because there is no “one size fits all” means of addressing women’s emotions, the first step is to acknowledge the fact that hair loss can be of deep emotional and healing significance to women.  When women find emotional understanding and support to be as comprehensive as diagnosis and treatment, the healing journey will be that much easier.

 Resources and Support

General Emotional Support

Cancercare - http://www.cancercare.org/reading_room/emotional_support.php

Body Image

http://www.networkofstrength.org/support/selfcare/bodyimage.php

Hair Loss Support

CancerCare's Reading Room "Coping With Hair Loss"  - http://www.cancercare.org/reading_room/hairloss.php

"Breast Cancer Treatment Coping With Hair Loss" - http://www.everydayhealth.com/breast-cancer/managing/tips/hair-loss.aspx

"Addressing the Emotional Side of Medical Hair Loss" -  www.4women.com/downloads/4women_trifold.pdf

Living Without Cancer

All women are at risk for breast cancer. If you have not had breast cancer, you want to stay clear of it, and if you have had it, you never want to get it again. Living without cancer starts with understanding cancer. Is getting cancer a simple case of bad genes and bad luck? Is it just a few renegade cells mutating and replicating at random? Increasingly, research suggests otherwise. The development of cancer is an indication that the body lacks the support necessary to destroy cancer cells. If we focus on the underlying conditions that may have contributed to the disease, we can likely prevent recurrence or new cancers.

Cancer is the result of damaged DNA. Cells transform into cancer cells daily (carcinogenesis), however, a normal, healthy body detects and removes these cancerous cells before they become tumors. However, sometimes this orderly process is interrupted. Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that normally control the growth and death of cells. Genes in cells can mutate as a result of being hit by radiation or because of damage caused by some toxin or even a deficiency of essential nutrients. Certain genes can promote the growth of cancer and certain genes can inhibit the growth of cancer and the activity of these genes can be turned on by these physiological factors. Unfortunately, there are many triggers in our environment that can either promote or suppress the actions of certain genes within cells. For example, you might have a tumor-suppressing gene built into your DNA that gets switched off by repeated exposure to pesticides, opening a gate for abnormal cell growth. How we live—what we eat, how active we are, how much alcohol we consume—impacts us at the cellular level.

Cancer is not primarily an inherited disease. Some people carry a mutated gene, but this does not mean they will automatically get cancer, it just means that the risk of getting cancer is increased. Cancer does involve the genes in cells, but that does not mean that cancer is always genetically inherited. Much is written about certain people being predisposed to cancer because of their family history. Many families who do not share the BRCA genes have a familial connection to cancer…meaning cancer seems to “run in their family.” However, when cancer does appear to run in families, it is more likely that there are other factors, such as diet, lifestyle, exposure to environmental toxins, and so forth, that those family members have in common which are contributing to the development of cancer.

If you have read my article It Is the Weak Tree That Comes down in a Hurricane, you will remember the need to fortify your tree. A moist tree does not burn in a fire, and a strong tree (your health and immune system) can help support your cells and prevent tumor growth. Most medical experts agree that, in fact, we all probably have cancer cells developing in each of us all the time, but our bodies are able to dispose of them before they rage out of control. Nature has provided the human body with the tools needed to prevent and fight cancer, it is known as the immune system and it needs your support to get the job done. If a healthy body can normally defend itself quite well against the development of cancer, why not do everything you can to keep that body healthy?

While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, one of the biggest myths about breast cancer is that we have no control over it. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can change some normal genes into genes that allow the growth of cancer, while others can improve your odds for living cancer free. According to the American Cancer Society, about one third of the 550,000 American cancer deaths each year are linked to obesity, poor diet and inactivity which makes lifestyle one of the biggest contributors to cancer risk, and that’s something over which you have control. Significant risk reduction is an achievable goal. Living with cancer is difficult, living without it is grand.

Now that we understand that cancer is not some random act, what can we do to minimize our risk? Avoid the villains and embrace the soldiers.
Diet---Diet should be an important part of your anticancer strategy. The cellular level is where cancer begins and where nutrition exerts its effect. The right foods will help you prevent it, or if already diagnosed, will help you recover, protect your body during treatment, and help you avoid recurrence. The Mediterranean diet is recommended as it is rich in fish, olive oil, whole grains, vegetables, nuts and legumes. A high fiber, low fat diet lessens the likelihood that cancer cells will multiply or spread by reducing the amount of estrogen circulating in the blood. A healthy diet will support your immune system, crucial in fighting cancer. Recent science has recognized the critical role antioxidants and the immune system play in cancer prevention and in their ability to destroy cancers already present. The immune system, and specifically NK cells (natural killer cells), are able to attack and kill a wide variety of cells and patrol the circulatory system and organs of the body on an antigen seek-and-destroy mission, so keeping these super-soldiers in optimal fighting condition is necessary to beat cancer. Antioxidants protect cells and tissues and remove the free radicals created by exposure to radiation, chemicals, inflammation, etc. Scientists recognize the overwhelming importance of adequate nutrition to keep these systems running at peak efficiency in order to free your body of cancer. A lack of minerals and vitamins will decrease the activity of these soldiers and compromise the immune system. Please include a wide variety of anti-cancer foods as each nutrient plays its own role in the prevention of cancer.

To boost your immunity, consume foods rich in beta carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin) and vitamin C (citrus, bell peppers, broccoli) and Vitamin E (almonds are a great choice as they also help regulate blood sugar). Zinc is also helpful, so eat wheat germ and chickpeas. Avoid processed food, (including grains, sugars and meats), high fat meats and dairy, Trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. Limit alcohol. Whenever possible, consider organic, especially for beef, chicken and certain fruits and vegetables known to be highly tainted with toxins (please visit www.foodnews.org for information regarding “the dirty dozen and clean 15”). For more information on foods to add to your diet, please read my article Eating to Cheat Cancer.

Exercise-- Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight play a crucial role in cancer prevention. Experts think the effects of exercise on the body's hormone levels, immune function and body weight may play an important role. Obesity increases the body’s insulin levels and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) that have a growth promoting effect on cells, especially on cancerous cells. Being overweight also boosts the body’s estrogen levels, which research shows stimulates cell growth of estrogen sensitive breast cancer, and exercise helps to reduce excess estrogen from the body. Cancer thrives on fat as fat cells may inhibit the removal of potentially cancerous cells from the body. Further, recent studies have proven that overweight and obese women have higher levels of inflammation, which provides a cancer promoting environment in the body. Try to exercise for at least 30-45 minutes a day. Any exercise is better than none, but a brisk walk or run will give you more protection.

Green tea-- Green tea contains EGCG, an antioxidant that greatly decreases the advancement of breast cancer cells by hindering the growth of blood vessels in tumors and by preventing cancer cells from multiplying and migrating to other parts of the body. The catechins in green tea, and specifically EGCG, fix cell damage and halt free-radical damage. What’s more, green tea also has the advantage of increasing thermogenesis, a process which helps you burn fat and calories and therefore may help with weight management.

A few studies suggest that white tea is even better than green tea at preventing damage to cells that could lead to cancer. The key to reaping the potential health benefits of tea is consistency. Consumed regularly over many years, white and green teas can offer substantial protection against cancer. Combined with a mostly plant–based diet, the catechins in tea could have an even greater effect as all the plant chemicals work together. Consider drinking 2-3 cups a day, spaced out during the day for maximum protection.

Please…no milk in your tea and add hot, not boiling water as boiling water compromises the catechins. Brewed is best as bottled teas typically contain far fewer catechins.

Water— Water is a basic need for cellular health. Cells both contain and are surrounded by water. Water is needed to regulate all our bodily functions, including the ability of the kidneys to expel toxins from the body. In dehydration, cell membranes become less permeable, hampering the flow of hormones and nutrients into the cell and preventing waste products such as oxidants that cause cellular damage from exiting. Dehydration in cells is known to cause inflammation, and while not all inflammations cause cancer, it is a contributing factor, and in many cases, inflammation causes an already established cancer to grow and spread. The body's response to dehydration, when left unchecked, contributes to many other problems, including DNA damage, reduced efficiency of the DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation. Tap or bottled? This is a difficult question. Tap is loaded with toxic chlorine, fluoride and various other contaminants, and bottled is infused with BPA and is not guaranteed to be toxin-free. Water from a reputable spring is a great option, but not terribly available and while distilled is a great option, it usually comes in plastic bottles. However, it is imperative to stay hydrated. Therefore, my advice is to do your best, average out the perils and if juicing is part of your regime, you can safely reduce your water consumption.

Adequate sleep—Studies in Japan, England and the USA show that the risk of breast cancer increases by 60% for women who do not get a minimum of six hours sleep a night. Sleep deprivation adversely affects the white blood cell count in humans as well as the body’s ability to fight infections. Further, it is thought that the hormone melatonin plays a strong role in preventing tumors from developing as it can suppress estrogen, too much of which is known to promote the growth of breast cancers and is a contributing factor in 80% of all breast cancers. While you’re sleeping, you have less circulating estrogens, and the growth of breast cancer cells slows down. However, light interferes with melatonin release (since melatonin is secreted in response to a lack of light), allowing estrogen levels to rise, so it is important to avoid using night lights or any other light sources at night.

Reduce stress—Chronic, prolonged stress impairs the immune system. It causes the immune system to cease and desist in the task of tumor surveillance. Further, chronic stress leads to depression, which also suppresses the immune system. Stress cannot always be eliminated, but you can take steps to offset it or change the way you deal with it.
Avoid sugar—Sugar fuels cancer growth and triggers inflammation. Sugar, and the resulting increase of glucose in your body, devastates your immune system by turning off our natural killer cells, the cells that fight cancer. Glucose plays a major role in encouraging the growth and metastasis of cancer.

Avoid HCA’s— High heat reacts with the protein in red meat, poultry and fish to create chemicals (HCA’s) linked to cancer, especially of the colon and breast. When meat is grilled or fried, heterocyclic amines (HCA’S) form on the surface of the meat. However, marinating meats prior to grilling can help offset the creation of HCA’S, and rosemary can inhibit the formation of HCA’s significantly, so add chopped rosemary to your marinade. It is also helpful to remove excess fat from meats as well as poultry skins.

Eliminate toxins in the home--- Frequent use of common chemical cleaners may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer by as much as 50%. Commercial cleaners contain hormone disrupting chemicals that can increase estrogen levels. Use toxin free, natural cleaning products whenever possible. Avoid pesticides as women with high pesticide levels in their breast tissue have greater incidents of cancer. Avoid cosmetics that contain formaldehyde, parabens and phthalates (preservatives) which can impair your body’s cancer-fighting system. Mineral oil or liquid petroleum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other petroleum based products and is known to increase the risk of cancer.

Limit radiation exposure—Radiation therapy to the chest raises breast cancer risk, beginning ten years after treatment and lasting forever. Avoid CT scans as they have been linked to the progression of cancer and are often performed needlessly. (Hospital ER’s often perform them routinely, perhaps for liability purposes, but question the necessity and refuse the test if not absolutely necessary)

Don’t smoke – Six million people quit smoking every year—by dying. Be proactive, don’t smoke.

Red wine-- Resveratrol, a compound in red grapes and red wine, stops the development of abnormal cells that can result in breast cancer. However, Alcohol consumption is linked to higher rates of breast cancer, so enjoy, but limit consumption.

Avoid artificial sweeteners—There is significant research linking artificial sweeteners and cancer. Consider stevia as a substitute.

Cancer may be curable someday, but why wait and take the risk. Today, cancer is largely avoidable. Lifestyle changes and nutritional support can help stop cancer at the cellular level, before trouble begins. I hope you will consider the above lifestyle changes and stop cancer before it starts.

A note for those facing cancer treatments: a change in lifestyle, including improved nutrition, may enhance traditional cancer therapy, and provide powerful support to protect the body during cancer treatments. Traditional cancer treatments can be extremely harmful to the body and can result in long-term repercussions. I believe that nutritional support and supplements can help offset the damage. Nutritional therapy helps your immune system to perform its job better while it supports your healthy cells and protects your body during the stress of cancer treatment. When nutritional therapy is added to your traditional cancer treatment plan, it can increase your chance of cure as well as the quality of life. However, a few words of caution. Do not take large doses of any vitamin, food supplement or herb without the knowledge of your oncologist as some of them can negate the effects of some treatments. In my next article I will further explain nutritional therapy and discuss specific foods supportive of the body during treatment.

To view my other articles, please visit http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/.

Elyn C. Jacobs
elyn@elynjacobs.com

EATING TO CHEAT CANCER

More than one third of Americans will develop cancer, but nearly two thirds will not. Research indicates that while we all carry cancer cells in us, most of have sufficient natural defenses to prevent these cells from becoming cancer. These defenses include our immune system, the ability of the body to control inflammation, and the nutrients in foods that reduce the growth of blood vessels needed by tumors to survive (angiogenesis) and support white blood cells known as natural killer cells (NK cells) which encourage cell death (apoptosis).

The cellular level is where cancer begins and where nutrition exerts its biggest effect. Fruits and vegetables contain not only vitamins and minerals, but also contain photochemical compounds that play key roles in the body. Phytochemicals aim to stop tumors at the harmless stage before they can develop into cancer. Therefore, a diet based on the regular intake of foods containing high levels of these compounds is a powerful weapon in the war against cancer. The daily consumption of anticancer nutrients is important as disabling cancer cells is a continuous job. Since we are constantly at risk for developing cancer, then we need a steady intake of nutrients to stop tumors at the harmless stage before they develop into cancer. Listed below are foods I recommend you have in your diet. No one food is a magic bullet, so try to incorporate a variety of these foods into your daily diet. The anticancer diet is quite simply a healthy diet that will help you to avoid not only cancer, but other life threatening and challenging diseases as well, and could put you in the healthy two-thirds. And please….eat organic whenever possible, especially for the dirty dozen.

Apples—Yes, there is much truth to the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. The apple’s high antioxidant count makes it a powerful cancer fighter and can significantly reduce the risk of developing several forms of cancer. The Flavonoid quercetin may prevent prostate cancer by blocking androgens, a hormone linked to prostate cancer. Apples slow the growth of breast cancer tumors and reduce the risk of colon cancer and liver cancer.

Artichokes—Artichokes contain high levels of antioxidants, specifically silymarin, known to protect against skin cancer.

Beans--Phytochemicals in beans have been shown to slow the growth of tumors and the fiber protects against some cancers.

Berries and Stone Fruits-- Blueberries are a delicious part of any anticancer diet, containing significant antioxidants. They are rich in phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which combat free-radical damage in the body and protect against cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting apoptosis (cancer cell death). Raspberries and strawberries are antiviral and anticancer and promote apoptosis. Berries also stimulate the elimination of carcinogenic substances. Peaches, plums, cherries and nectarines contain phytochemicals such as polyphenols, annthocyanins, catechins, and flavonoids. These are all known to keep the immune system strong and protect against cancer.

Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, radishes)—Vegetables in this family have an amazing ability to suppress the development of cancer cells Cruciferous vegetables (and their ability to produce sulforaphane) slow the development of cancer by detoxifying carcinogenic substances. They help prevent pre-cancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors; they promote the suicide of cancer cells (apoptosis) and starve tumors of their blood supply (angiogenesis). Each member of this family has a unique set of abilities, so eat a variety. For example, collard greens are very high in lutein, which has been associated with a decreased risk of developing breast, lung, ovarian and colon cancers. Spinach, kale and mustard greens also contain significant amounts of lutein. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are exceptional sources of anticancer compounds.

Citrus Fruits—Oranges and other citrus fruits contain anti-inflammatory flavonoids. They also stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens by the liver.

Dark Chocolate (cacao)—Dark chocolate (more than 70% cocoa) contains a number of antioxidants, proanthocyanidines and many polyphenols. These molecules slow the growth of cancer cells and limit angiogenesis.

Flaxseed—Although flax is mentioned in the Omega-3 section, it warrants its own section. Flaxseed is an excellent source of ALA (alpha linolenic acid); it contains immune-enhancing lignans, promotes tumor regression (inhibits tumor growth), apoptosis, and detoxification.

Iodine Rich Foods--Sea vegetables, yogurt, milk, eggs and shellfish supply the body with iodine, a powerful antioxidant that protects against breast cancer and helps to prevent the progression of the disease.

Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Shallots and Chives. The sulfur compounds in this group known as the Allium family slows the development of cancer by protecting against cancer cell growth and by offering protection from damage caused by carcinogenic substances. They promote cell death in colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer, as well as in leukemia.

Ginger—Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. It also helps reduce the creation of new blood vessels.

Green tea—Green tea is an exceptional source of anticancer compounds. It contains large amounts of catechins (flavanols), the heavyweights responsible for green teas’ anticancer activity, and of these catechins, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the key. The effects of EGCG are significant as studies have shown that it prevents the development of many tumors triggered by carcinogens and seems to be the leader in ability to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumor growth and metastases (angiogenesis). White tea is now coming into the spotlight and could, in fact, have the strongest anti-cancer potential of all teas (more about this later).

Herbs and spices—Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint promote apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce their speed by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighboring tissues. Rosemary is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and can inhibit the formation of HCAS, the carcinogenic compounds that form when you cook protein, by 75% (so use chopped rosemary in your marinade). Parsley and celery contain an anti-inflammatory that promotes apoptosis and blocks angiogenesis.

Mushrooms—Shiitake, maitake, enoki, crimini, portabella, oyster and yes, plain old button mushrooms support the immune system. Button mushrooms may also curb estrogen production, which is helpful in avoiding hormonal cancers such as breast cancer.

Nuts—Eating walnuts daily may help prevent breast cancer and thwart tumor growth because of their high levels of antioxidants, omega 3’s and phytosterols. Pecans and walnuts contain ellagic acid, which triggers apoptosis. Almonds also have cancer-fighting potential. Pistachios are high in antioxidants. Peanuts are a legume, not a nut, and should be avoided as they inflammatory and are often contaminated with aflatoxins, which are considered carcinogenic. While nuts have many redeeming qualities, they are high in fats and omega 6’s (more about this another time) so eat them sparingly. .

Omega 3’s—Found in some fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds and some vegetables—more and more studies suggest that omega 3’s play a key role in cancer prevention. Omega 3’s reduce cancer cell growth in tumors and help reduce the spread of tumors (metastases).

Pomegranates—Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants; the juice helps protect against skin, prostate, colon and breast cancers. 

Red grapes and wine—Resveratrol, a compound in red grapes and red wine, stops the development of abnormal cells that can result in breast cancer

Selenium rich foods.--Mixed nuts, seafood and whole grain wheat flour. Selenium is an element found in soil, and is most abundant in foods grown in organic conditions. Selenium stimulates immune cells and particularly natural killer cells (frequently referred to as NK cells) however, be aware that while selenium is protective in proper doses, too much can be toxic. Brazil nuts contain high levels of selenium, so eat just one or two a few times a week. Selenium is also necessary for manufacturing glutathione, the body's own natural antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.

Spices--Mint, thyme, sage, rosemary, basil, ginger, cinnamon, oregano, tarragon are all powerful cancer fighters, fresh or dried, so eat a wide variety daily.

     Turmeric and Curry. –Curcumin, the ingredient in turmeric used to make curries, can kill cancer cells by inhibiting the enzymes that cause inflammation in the body; it is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory known. Curcumin induces cell suicide (apoptosis) in breast cancer cells and inhibits angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels in the body. Antiangiogenic agents literally starve the tumor of its blood supply.

Vegetables and fruits rich in Carotenoids —Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, persimmons, apricots and beets contain vitamin A and Lycopene (a carotenoid), which inhibit the growth cells associated with many cancers. Picture lycopene surfing your body on a seek and destroy mission, mopping up free radicals (those unstable molecules that damage cells, cell membranes, and DNA). Carrots also help protect your skin from the solar damage that leads to skin cancer.


Elyn Jacobs
elyn@elynjacobs.com

elynjacobs.blogspot.com

elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Elyn Jacobs is a certified cancer coach and a breast cancer survivor.  She empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs.  Elyn helps women to uncover the nutritional deficiencies and emotional stress patterns that may have contributed to their cancer and to support their body as it activates it own natural ability to fight the disease. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. To learn more about Elyn’s coaching services or to learn more about eating for life, please visit:  http://elynjacobs.wordpress.com.

AVOIDING CANCER, ONE VEGETABLE AT A TIME

The American Cancer Society estimates that one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives and that one third of all cancer deaths are related to dietary factors. Picture yourself at lunch with seven girlfriends; chances are that one of you will be affected. There is nothing simple about defeating cancer, but there are many simple ways to help avoid getting it in the first place. Physicians often do not have the time to educate patients sufficiently, so it is up to us as individuals to educate ourselves and adopt lifestyles consistent with cancer prevention. We are willing to spend considerable money and time to rid ourselves of a tumor, but we spend little to educate ourselves about ways of avoiding disease in the first place. Some dismiss cancer risks by thinking “this will never happen to me”, while others are reluctant to lifestyle changes seen as difficult to make. It’s your life and you should stop cancer before it stops you. The best defense against breast cancer is a good offense.
Food, glorious food, is the key to a strong defense. One of the biggest problems with the modern American diet today is that it typically involves a huge deficiency of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our diet has unfortunately developed around speed, ease and the profitability of the foods being sold; we have become a grab-and-go society. We want cheaper food. We want convenience. We do not want to shop daily, so we want foods with long shelf lives, leading to our consuming preservatives instead of fresh produce abundant with nutrients. Eating is not an act devoid of consequences; it is without a doubt the simplest, most basic and natural way to actively arm oneself against a demon as formidable as cancer. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other important foods is essential to preventing cancer. Our nutritional status either weakens us, making us susceptible to the development of cancer, or strengthens our bodies’ defense mechanisms, enhancing our ability to prevent renegade cells from becoming tumors.
To learn more about the anticancer diet and its ability to prevent cancer, please read my blog “Eating to Cheat Cancer”

Elyn Jacobs
elyn@elynjacobs.com

I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER: WHY DO I NEED AN ADVOCATE

There is nothing simple about battling cancer. Fighting cancer is a battle for your life so you owe it to yourself to get the best treatment possible for your cancer. New treatments and options are developing constantly, so it is up to you to decipher the options and make informed decisions. Likely right now you think “I can barely breathe, let alone function…how am I to figure all this out?” Well, unfortunately, your life and your quality of life depend on it. Let me share a few stories with you.
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. She had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Five years later, she had a recurrence. The scans detected a tumor under her right arm. She went to a local hospital to have it removed. Here an unbelievable thing happened. While removing the tumor, the surgeon noticed an additional cancer…but did NOT remove it and later told her that while he saw it, he did not remove it as it was not listed in her paperwork. Such incompetency is completely unacceptable. I urged and insisted that she go to a specialist and this time she agreed. She went to a major cancer facility, and had the tumor removed. The cancer came back. Now she had to make a difficult choice. She was told that to remove all the cancer could mean compromising her ability to use her right arm. My mother was right handed, loved to sew, bake, quilt, garden…she would have been lost without the use of her arm. She took a chance and they removed as much of the cancer as they could, and advised more chemotherapy and radiation. They did a follow up scan on her and found a suspicious spot on her lung. The doctor suggested a biopsy that would amount to surgery as invasive as open heart surgery. I explained that my mother was too weak and would not survive the biopsy. They gave us no options. I then called other facilities and found that she could likely have a needle biopsy, much less invasive. I called a contact at the New York division of her facility and inquired as to why my mother’s doctor did not want to do a needle biopsy. This doctor looked at her charts and agreed that the needle biopsy was most certainly the way to go. I asked why that was not offered to her and he told me that the adjunct facility apparently was not aware of the procedure. The needle biopsy was performed in New York, no cancer; we could have lost her to an unnecessary surgical biopsy. I know that doctors are busy, and I know no one is perfect, but if your life is on the line, do you want results or excuses? In the summer of 2007, my mother’s cancer had spread to the brain. She was advised to have radiation, which would mean she would have to stop chemotherapy. I was concerned and took this to another oncologist. She explained that my mother was very sick, but likely the cancer in her brain was slower moving than elsewhere in her body, and if she stopped the chemo to take the radiation, the cancer would quickly takeover and kill her. She took the radiation, was bedridden for over a month, and died soon after.
My cousin was diagnosed with cancer of the thymus. She went to a well known cancer facility, and considering her cancer is somewhat rare, was likely in the right place. However, when Barbara asked the surgeon if she would be able to wear a bathing suit after the surgery, his response was “how dare you ask such a question, you should be glad to be alive!” Being the feisty person that she is, she responded “ok, doc, let me put it this way. After you cure me and I am eternally grateful to you, will I be able to wear a bathing suit without looking like Quasimodo?”

A parent at our sons’ school was diagnosed with breast cancer this past year. She called me, wanted to talk about it. She asked me to accompany her to the doctor as she felt he was condescending and unwilling to answer her questions with the detail she needed.
I was the lucky one. In the fall of 2006, my mammogram was less than perfect. I was called back, and the doctor told me things did not look good and that I needed to get a biopsy right away. It took me less than five minutes to get home, and the phone was ringing. It was my Ob/Gyn. He assured me everything would be fine, but explained that in my case, I would require a stereotactic biopsy, and it would be tricky one given the location, but he recommended someone who could perform it. (To keep this short, he was right, others told me this was not possible) Well, this radiologist was amazing, and called me less than 24 hours later with the bad news and recommendations for two doctors (same specialists my Ob/Gyn recommended); she told me I needed to call right away. I did, and as it was the Friday before a long weekend, they were closed. I called her back and she said not to worry, she would make the appointments for me. I saw one doctor that Monday (yes, on a holiday) and the other a week later. The first doctor was wonderful, patient and explained my options, but yet we went home numb and scared. When we saw the second doctor, my husband and I knew immediately that he was our man. He brought in a plastic surgeon and again, we knew we were in good hands. I cannot tell you what difference it makes when you feel cared for, in control. My team was amazing. From start to finish, my journey was expedited by helpful and talented doctors. I am eternally grateful to them for empowering me to make the best decisions, for being open minded to my concerns and ideas and for understanding that there is life after cancer. This is why I believe everyone needs an advocate. Because at the time in your life when you can barely function, and at a time when you most feel the need to be taken care of, you are the one who needs to be proactive and assertive. It is now that you need an experienced person by your side that can help you navigate the process and get the care you deserve. You don’t have to go it alone.

Elyn Jacobs
elyn@elynjacobs.com