Breast Cancer Issues

Saturday, March 8th, I spent the day with 700 people at a conference on “Breast Cancer Issues” sponsored by the Komen Foundation. The conference topics addressed: risk reduction, treatment options and survivorship.
I attended seminars on integrative medicine, managing menopausal symptoms, survivorship for long term health, and myth busters.
Some highlights to pass on are:

Acupuncture may help your hot flashes
Ground Flax seed, ¼ cup daily may help reduce tumor size as well as help with hot flashes. Only grind, in a coffee grinder a weeks worth at a time, and don’t buy in bulk.

Vitamin D, take 1,000 – 2,000 IU per day. Of course check with your Doctor.
Exercise, 5-7 times a week with strength training, aerobic and stretching.

Be your own Advocate. Know your diagnosis, size of tumor, type of cancer. Know which chemotherapy drugs you were given and how much. Have an understanding of your pathology report.

Fun Facts for Women in the USA where the studies were done:
2.5 million Women in the USA are living with breast cancer.
85% of women have no breast cancer in their family.
Eating soy after 20 years old does nothing.
More women in the USA die of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer yearly than breast caner.
A glass of wine a day is not a good practice for women in the USA.
Under wire bras do not cause breast cancer, nor does a blow to the breast, or antiperspirants.
Being over weight is not good at all.
Chemo brain is real.