Healthy Breasts

What breast symptoms do you have?

2011-03-25T23:16:00.000-07:00

Breast symptoms
Do you get breast problems regularly? Do you live with lumpy tender breasts? Have you had a long history of breast issues?
Our breasts are like a health indicator. They are dynamic, hormonal and reflect our state of health.
What conditions do we see?
Fibrocystic tissue - lumpy, painful, full, congested, cyclical. Can last years. Benign condition, reflection of not clearing out the toxins and hormones in the breast. Affected by lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, exhaustion. Benign condition. Raises susceptibility.
Glandular hormonal tissue – swollen, tender/painful breasts, cyclical. Reflects hormonal imbalance, often oestrogen dominance. You may also have a history of thyroid issues, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion. Increased risk.
Discharge – can be clear, milky, yellow, green, brown, red. May be spontaneous or when squeezed. May be due to infection, stimulation, blocked duct, papilloma, medication (eg antidepressants). Usually benign and rarely, breast cancer. Can be present for years.
Inversion – one or both nipples. Can be there permanently, or in one/both breasts suddenly. If an inversion occurs suddenly in one nipple, may indicate a possible breast cancer.
Change of Shape – dimple, hollow, pucker in one part of one breast. May indicate cancer. Saggyness not counted.
Breastfeeding problems - recurrent severe mastitis can cause scarring and weakness in the breast tissue. If you have a baby who suddenly stopped feeding from one breast, or had children who refused to feed from one breast, this may indicate a possible chemical change. Both increase susceptibility.
History of breast issues – long term issues where one breast behaves differently to the other breast. Often may not show up on a mammogram. Increases susceptibility.
Breast operations – cosmetic, benign or malignant conditions. Can interfere with normal vascular and lymph drainage. Increases susceptibility.

Management: Think about improving your breast health. Have an annual clinical exam with your doctor, check your breast health with regular breast imaging, do vigorous breast massage and work with your wellness practitioner to keep your risk low. Improve your diet – eliminate/reduce grains, sugars, caffeine, dairy. Increase vegetables, fruit, super foods. Release stress, exercise, be happy, sleep well.

April News

2011-03-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

Touring Australia I get to meet very interesting people who introduce me to other interesting people, herbs, books, etc. I would like to share some with you today.

Superfood: Goji berries
I recently travelled with David Wolfe during his Australian tour. David is passionate about super foods available to us. Who wants to eat over-processed under-nourishing meals when we have an abundance of super foods?
The goji berry has extraordinary nutrient value and is an adaptogen – it can help the body return to a balanced state. It invigorates and strengthens the system and allows us to resist stress, anxiety and fatigue by restoring and rejuvenating the body. It is delicious and extremely nutritionally rich, containing 21 trace minerals, 19 amino acids, Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.
Goji berries boost immune function, increase alkalinity and vitality, provide liver protection, improve eyesight and blood quality and have anti-aging compounds. By nourishing the body, goji berries support the body to heal itself from chronic conditions.
Eat dried goji berries as a snack, with cacao nibs, blended in a smoothie, added to tea to take away the bitterness. Readily available at health food shops.
Information from book Superfoods by David Wolfe

Super Herb: Herb Robert
I was fortunate to meet Isabell Shipard who has Shipards Herb Farm in Nambour Qld. Isabell has an amazing knowledge of herbs and is passionate about encouraging us to use herbs in our every day life. She was telling me of the popularity of Herb robert.
Herb robert is a medium annual that grows in a wide range of climates. It prefers damp shady spots, is insect and snail resistant, grows quickly, self seeds readily and flowers profusely. It contains Vitamins A, B, C and minerals calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phspherous, germanium, manganese and sodium.
Herb robert is a supreme therapeutic herb. It is an adaptogen, and the antioxidant germanium means it has the ability to make oxygen available to the cells to aid cell health and immune function for overall wellbeing.
Herb robert has been used medicinally for many ailments including relief from pain, improving chronic conditions and wellbeing.
More information on the qualities and benefits of Herb robert are available here: http://bit.ly/eLDkvG

Super Smoothie
1 banana, or mango or other fruit of choice
1 raw egg
1tbsp raw Cacao powder
1 tbsp Coconut cream or oil
1tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp chia seeds – soaked
1 tbsp Rice Protein powder
1 tbsp maca powder and/or CamuCamu powder
Apple or other fruit juice or water or rice/almond milk for consistency
Blend until smooth. Will be fairly thick consistency.
Great for a power-packed protein-rich lunch
From Norma Street, Buderim, Qld

Improve your breast health today by trying these wonderful resources available to us at our health food shop, nursery or your health professional.

2010-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

Want a healthy remedy at this time of the year? NEW!

Nutri Essence has everything to adjust the body chemistry, provides high nutrition, enzymes and minerals along with herbal blood purifiers in a simple homeopathic remedy taken in drops several times a day. It is small and convenient fits into the purse nicely for ladies.

Provides great support and minimises the need to take lost of remedies while still providing a high healing resonance and nutrition without the cost of multiple remedies. It also has a strong stress coping essence included as well as clearing parasites, mould and fungal problems. It enhances sleep, improves the absorption of calcium and balances the hormonal system.

Contact Warren from
Living Health
Health Educational Workshops
68 Duncan Drive Aratula Qld 4309
0414 982 963
Creator of Nutri-Essence Formulae 'Vitality in a bottle'
Discover the 10 secrets to finding & keeping vibrant health

For Practitioners - Why breast health monitoring

2010-11-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks we have not done any breast imaging. This was due to a number of factors, initially due to a glitch in paperwork. While we have been waiting for documentation, it has offered a time of reflection on what we are offering, why we are offering it and how we are offering it.

Current Practice
For the past 50 years there has been a strong campaign to promote mammography for breast cancer screening and discourage other forms of breast imaging. This is just as relevant today, with recent articles in the media warning women against new breast screening, “as mammograms are the only proven breast cancer screening technology”.

In Australia, BreastScreen has been operating for 19 years. It offers a free screening mammogram to women with NO symptoms (asymptomatic). Despite this,
43% of women targeted (50-69 years) do not have a screening mammogram
Women under 50 are not targeted for a screening mammogram
Women under 40 are not eligible for a screening mammogram
Women over 70 are no longer invited for a screening mammogram

Breast cancer is now top of mind for many women, who worry about their breast health and risk.

What we are offering
Safe Breast Imaging recognises that women are concerned about their breast health and want to monitor and check their breast health. We therefore offer an option of breast imaging for women who:
• currently have no breast imaging at all
• want additional information regarding their breast health
The imaging offered by Safe Breast Imaging is another tool for practitioners and patients to assess the current status of breast health.
We do NOT suggest the imaging is a replacement for a mammogram. It is a replacement for no imaging. It is also an adjunct to other forms of breast imaging.

The MEM electrical impedance device used by Safe Breast Imaging maps the electrical properties of breast tissue. It is not an x-ray (no radiation), not thermography (not heat), not ultrasound. It maps lumps and breast structure. In addition it also highlights asymmetry, glandular tissue, hormonal imbalance and other factors that give an indication of current breast health. Watch the procedure here: http://bit.ly/avod2H.

The Safe Breast Imaging doctor, who reads and interprets the MEM images, expects to see normal patterns and some symmetry. Subtle differences from one side to the other are identified, which can indicate anomalies. Results have shown that women who have abnormal images often have other hormonal issues past, present and future which can increase their risk. Working with their health practitioner to make changes is encouraged.

Why we are offering Imaging
Women do not want breast cancer. Despite pressure from cancer experts, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, doctors, etc, to stick to the proven methodology (find cancer and treat it), women are looking at other options of imaging, lifestyle choices, prevention strategies and treatment strategies. You know that.
For the past 6 years, Australian women have included MEM electrical impedance breast imaging as part of their breast health strategy. The MEM is not treatment, rather a tool to provide an indication of their current breast health status.
Breast cancer is very difficult to find, no matter what the technology. In Australia, 17% of all women diagnosed through the BreastScreen program (1 in 6) have interval cancers. Nearly 50% of all breast cancers diagnosed in women 40-49 years are interval cancers (Screening Monograph No.1/2009 BreastScreen Australia Evaluation, Final Evaluation Report).

How we offer MEM Imaging
While breast health is important for most women, it is not urgent until there is a problem that manifests for many. To acknowledge this, we have worked from over 170 venues in the past year. We have created a model of going to the women in their community – city or regional. This has worked best with the clinics who have actively participated in advising their patient base that the MEM imaging will be offered from their clinic.

You realise that you need to make it as easy as possible for your patients to undertake your recommendations. Patients have good intentions, but a combination of time, other priorities, ease and procrastination mean that your patients often don’t follow through on treatment and strategies. By offering breast imaging in your clinic, it is an environment patients are familiar with. It also reinforces the need to work with the practitioner, as it is rare for us to see breasts that are particularly healthy.

In order to maximise our time and yours, we are confirming clinics who wish to offer the breast health imaging option to their female patients. This service is a starting point for women to improve their health and outcomes. The MEM imaging is looking for indicators of early change – often these precede anatomical evidence.

As a health practitioner, you have three options:
1. Offer a regular imaging service from within your clinic, outsourcing the service to Safe Breast Imaging.
2. Let your patients know that there is an option, and they can find a location and time that suits. The report can be copied to you.
3. Do nothing.

What if you dont have a mammogram?

2010-10-17T00:31:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been media cover in Australia warning women not to partake in any other breast screening apart from mammogram, as mammograms are the only “proven” technology for breast cancer screening. How do you feel about that?
Three questions to think about:
1. Is a mammogram suitable for every woman?
2. Will a mammogram find every cancer?
3. Does a mammogram give you enough information?

What do you do if you are too young for a mammogram? Or are pregnant? Or breastfeeding?
What do you do if you will not have a mammogram?
How do you feel to be told not to do anything else?
What do you do if you want to monitor your breast health and look for early changes within the breast?
What do you do if your mammogram result is negative but you feel something is not right?
Are you compromising your right to your own health decisions?

Dr Gilbert Welch of Dartmouth Institute says scientists have come to understand that breast cancer isn't one disease but many. Some tumours are indolent and never cause trouble. Others grow slowly and may eventually spread. The most aggressive cancers metastasize before doctors and patients even know they're there. Doctors can't tell which tumours are harmless so they treat all of them as if they were the worst kind.

“Screening tests like mammograms and self-exams are most adept at finding the indolent cancers”, Welch says. “As a result, the more we screen, the more women we subject to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for cancers that never would have harmed them. A paper published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that for every life saved by a screening mammogram, five to 15 other women needlessly became diagnosed and treated”. http://nyti.ms/cUD6ZK

At Safe Breast Imaging we are receiving three messages from you loud and clear:
1. You are concerned about your breasts.
2. You do not want breast cancer and will do all you can to keep healthy. You are taking action to put prevention strategies in place and you are not passively waiting for a cancer diagnosis.
3. You want to use all the tools available to give you the best chance of getting a good picture of what is going on so you can make an informed breast management decision. After all, breast cancer is very difficult to find, no matter what the technology.

What can we do?
We know you are busy, have the best intention of having imaging done and know your diet and lifestyle could be better.
How can we understand and respond to your needs?
How can we cut through your fear?
Your inaction?
Your busyness?
Your justifications?

What can you do?
• Make a decision to be responsible for your own health.
• Tell us what results and information would be useful for you to encourage action to improve your health.
• Act responsibly upon any change to your health – have early investigation without delay.
• Tell your doctor and health professional you also want imaging to check your breast health.
• Tell your family, friends and colleagues that they can now also monitor their breast health.

Imaging your breasts in a new way
Safe Breast Imaging uses the unique MEM imaging technique that has been used in Australia for 5 years. The MEM maps the electrical properties of breast tissue. It is not an x-ray (no radiation), not thermography (not heat), not ultrasound. The MEM maps your lumps and breast structure. In addition the MEM also highlights asymmetry, glandular tissue, hormonal imbalance and other factors that may increase your risk into the future. Watch the procedure here: http://bit.ly/avod2H.

Our Safe Breast Imaging doctor, who reads and interprets the MEM images, expects to see normal patterns and some symmetry. Subtle differences from one side to the other are identified, which can indicate anomalies. Most are explainable and don’t require additional testing. Results have shown that women who have abnormal MEM images are at a higher risk of developing hormonal dis-eases. You are actively encouraged to improve your breast health in conjunction with your health practitioner.

At Safe Breast Imaging we indicate your current breast health status. It is your starting point. Please do not necessarily assume that because you have symptoms you have breast cancer. There are many options you have to improve your current health and risk status. Isn’t that a positive and empowering approach?

Use your options
Breast cancer is very difficult to find, no matter what the technology. In Australia, 17% of all women diagnosed through the BreastScreen program (1 in 6) have interval cancers (missed on their previous mammogram). Nearly 50% of all breast cancers diagnosed in women 40-49 years were interval cancers (Screening Monograph No.1/2009 BreastScreen Australia Evaluation, Final Evaluation Report).

You may also be interested in this: http://gaylesulik.com.

Book now
We are fast approaching the end of the year.
Have you been putting off having a breast checkup? Is it on your list of things to do?
Book now on 1300 310 820 to secure your appointment. Or email us with your suburb so we can find your nearest location.

Please Note:
Safe Breast Imaging is not a replacement for a diagnostic mammogram.
Safe Breast Imaging does not use a “proven” breast cancer screening technology. Your results, however, provide information that may assist you in understanding your current breast health status.
Like a screening mammogram, the imaging done by Safe Breast Imaging does not provide a final diagnosis for breast cancer.

Good breast health starts in the gut

2010-08-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

IF YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DOESNT WORK WELL, NOTHING WORKS WELL.

The gut is responsible for the processing of the food we eat and absorbing the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for the body to function properly and keep healthy. Hormones and the nervous system coordinate digestion and absorption. Everyday factors such as poor diet, stress, illness and certain drugs can have a detrimental effect on the gut and can inhibit digestion. Stress is a normal part of life in today’s modern society however, problems arise when our lives cause an abnormal amount of stress, and one of the first parts of the body to react to stress is our digestive system.

Gluten

Nutrient absorption is efficient because the Gastrointestinal tract is folded with several surfaces for absorption and these surfaces are lined with villi (hairlike projections) and microvilli cells. If we are gluten intolerant, an immune reaction occurs that causes the villi to become damaged, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, even water in some cases.

A gluten-free diet allows the body to repair and heal itself because it is no longer being challenged and attacked by the immune system.

Grains and Sugars

Refined grains are energy-dense but nutrient-sparse. Grains disturb insulin levels.

Insulin helps control sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone as well. Insulin helps control the manufacture of cholesterol . DHEA levels are directly correlated with insulin levels.

Sugar is an addictive substance and depresses the immune system. Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function and interferes with absorption of protein, both necessary for health digestion. Sugar also feeds cancer cells. Any time you have excess sugar you store it as fat and any time you are deficient you burn up your muscle. Eliminating sugar as much as possible has a dramatic effect on your health. Here is a list of reasons why we should eliminate sugar from our diet: http://bit.ly/dnBaj4 .

If you made no other adjustments to your diet but eliminated or vastly reduced grains and sugars, particularly processed, it is likely your health would rapidly improve and within days you’d start losing weight and bloating. Within weeks you’d have a very noticeable improvement in health and weight. Within months, in addition to the dramatic health and weight improvement, you’d also be experiencing a tremendous increase in your energy, mental acuity and positive focus.

What to eat?

We have come across a list of foods and drinks allowed/not allowed. It may be a worthwhile starting guide for you: http://bit.ly/NkD3P

Your future is your choice. It requires action.

Usually we rediscover health only when it is taken from us.

Your breast health starts with your digestive health

Case 1 – 39yo, two young children. Painful, lumpy breasts. MEM images showed excess glandular tissue (hormonal imbalance and higher risk). 3 months of diet change and probiotics. Repeat images showed breast tissue less glandular. Lumps reduced, tenderness subsided, feeling of wellness and energy.

Case 2 – 49yo cyclical tenderness and lumps. Years of high carbohydrate and sugar consumption. One month elimination glutens, grains and sugars settled down breast symptoms, improved MEM images, bloating gone, clearer thinking, feeling of wellness and happiness.

Case 3 – 54yo with history of auto immune, chronic fatigue, hypothyroid, uterine fibroids, stress, breast lumps, poor digestive and liver functions. MEM images show severe hormonal imbalance (glandular tissue), cystic breast tissue, irregular breast anatomy, higher conductivity in one breast suggesting tissue change. High risk. 3 months of gluten, grain, sugar and lactose elimination showed improved MEM images, softened breast tissue, bloating gone, weight loss, positive feelings of health, increased energy.

Safe Breast Imaging can provide you with a picture of your current breast health. It is your starting point and allows you the opportunity to improve your breast and overall health and reduce your risk of serious poor health. It is not too late to change, but it is necessary.

Watch the breast imaging procedure here: http://www.vmbiz.com.au/safebreast.html

Digestive Wellness

2010-07-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Digestive Wellness

Symptoms of discomfort are our body’s way of saying “pay attention to me!”
Liz Lipski (Digestive Wellness)

Most of us pay little attention to our health until we don’t feel so well. We rarely think about our digestion and its importance until we feel bloated and windy or suffer from nausea, constipation or diarrhoea. Our stomachs today are generally treated like a garbage bin where everything is just thrown in; the good, the bad and the ugly. Little thought is given to nutrition. It just needs to taste good. We assume that our stomach will just deal with it; all will be digested, the goodies will be absorbed so our organs can be nourished and support our life and the bad stuff – well it will just be eliminated! OOPS!

If we have symptoms of digestive discomfort such as bloating, it is easy to figure out that our gastrointestinal tract is out of balance. But if we experience arthritis, eczema, acne, autoimmune disease, mood swings, depression, fatty liver, chronic fatigue, regular and persistent cold and flu symptoms, chronic headache or migraine, oestrogen dominance, chronic vaginitis or bladder infection due to Candida infection - and the list goes on – perhaps it would be surprising that these symptoms also could indicate that parts of our gastrointestinal tract are out of balance?

What do we know about the gastrointestinal tract that could explain this surprising association?

• Gut flora in an adult weighs about 3-4 kgs. The importance of the proper balance between the good and the bad bugs is now being recognised as essential to good health.
• Good bugs complete digestion and facilitate nutrient absorption. Their metabolism provides us with essential vitamins and cofactors such as B vitamins, folate and Vitamin K. Good bugs are also important immune system modulators.
• Broad spectrum antibiotics can destabilise the normal microbiological balance and allow opportunistic pathogens – the bad bugs – to proliferate which can result in both acute and chronic health issues.
• Good Lactobacilli are shed from our gastrointestinal system in times of stress. This destabilises the normal microbiological balance and allows the bad bugs to proliferate.
• 75% of our lymphatic system and 80% of our antibody producing B cells are found in our gastrointestinal system. Autoimmune issues often arise in susceptible individuals due to the proliferation of bad bugs in the gut.
• 90% of our Serotonin is manufactured within our gut. Without adequate serotonin we can develop insomnia and become depressed.

As we can see gastrointestinal imbalance or dysbiosis can often be an important underlying factor in many common health issues. If our gut isn’t right – we are not right!

Reclaim Your Health is about sharing some amazing foundational health information, which can empower you to take control of your health issues and begin a positive journey to a better, healthy future by reclaiming digestive balance.

(Article references available upon request)

Reclaim Your Health - Colleen Smith Dip App Science (Med Tech)
Colleen can be contacted on 0423 779 350.

Multivitamins and Your risk

2010-05-05T00:22:00.001-07:00

Multivitamins and Your risk
Headlines are designed to catch the eye and sensationalise. When looking at research results, it is important to understand how the results are presented.

You may have read about a recent study suggesting that taking multivitamins on a daily basis can increase your risk of getting breast cancer by 19%. Many women have contacted us asking if that means they have a 20% chance of getting breast cancer if they take multivitamins.

Closer examination of the results of the study in question showed that there was a difference in diagnoses between a large group of women over 10 years who said they did not take daily multivitamins, and a smaller group who said they did take multivitamins daily. The difference between the two groups was 19%. This is called a relative risk.

Expressed as an absolute risk, the same statistics say that over 10 years, 1 extra woman out of 1667 who took multivitamins on a daily basis would be diagnosed.

Increasingly a study or problem will be presented in an absolute way but the solution or outcome will be reported in a relative way to increase the perception of the results.

Manipulating study results should not undermine your choice or a health professional recommendation to take multivitamins or make choices regarding your health.

Should a mammogram be the only breast imaging option for women?

2010-05-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Often women are warned by their doctor or breast specialist against any breast cancer screening technology other than a mammogram on the basis that a mammogram is the only ‘proven’ breast cancer screening method. One reason a mammogram is the only proven breast cancer screening method is because there is very strong resistance to supporting clinical trials comparing other technologies. Safe Breast Imaging is actively seeking opportunities to participate in clinical trials and has an extensive database to contribute to such a trial.

Mammograms are a useful tool to identify suspicious masses at an early stage (up to 5cm). We are fortunate to have a free national breast cancer screening program in Australia (BreastScreen) for women over 40 and under 70 who have NO SYMPTOMS. However statistics show that nearly half of women specifically targeted for a free screening mammogram (50-69 years) choose not to have one.

More than a quarter of Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 50. Premenopausal women (under 50ish) usually have dense breast tissue and a mammogram is less effective for this group.

While few women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, most women have breast symptoms that are not breast cancer. Women of all ages are increasingly seeking ways to proactively monitor and understand their general breast health beyond just looking for cancer. The MEM looking at the electrical properties of breast tissue, has been a beneficial breast health monitoring technology to many Australian women. The MEM identifies lumps, hormonal imbalance and early behavioural changes that may require further investigation.

When a mammogram is not a woman’s preferred breast imaging option and for women who are ineligible for a mammogram, we believe women deserve other options. This is why Safe Breast Imaging actively promotes worthwhile initiatives for you to proactively monitor and maintain your breast health.

A picture of your breast health will assist you and your health professional to make informed decisions about an effective strategy to manage your hormonal and breast health.

Multivitamins and Your Breast Cancer Risk

2010-05-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Headlines are designed to catch the eye and sensationalise. When looking at research results, it is important to understand how the results are presented.

You may have read about a recent study suggesting that taking multivitamins on a daily basis can increase your risk of getting breast cancer by 19%. Many women have contacted us asking if that means they have a 20% chance of getting breast cancer if they take multivitamins.

Closer examination of the results of the study in question showed that there was a difference in diagnoses between a large group of women over 10 years who said they did not take daily multivitamins, and a smaller group who said they did take multivitamins daily. The difference between the two groups was 19%. This is called a relative risk.

Expressed as an absolute risk, the same statistics say that over 10 years, 1 extra woman out of 1667 who took multivitamins on a daily basis would be diagnosed.

Increasingly a study or problem will be presented in an absolute way but the solution or outcome will be reported in a relative way to increase the perception of the results.

Manipulating study results should not undermine your choice or a health professional recommendation to take multivitamins or make choices regarding your health.

New Reprt out on Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention

2010-01-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

A new epidemiology report on Vitamin D suggests that raising the amount of Vitamin D could result in prevention of 58,000 new cases of Breast Cancer in the USA.

Here is an abstract of the report:

Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention: Global Perspective
Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul 1;19(7):468-483, CF Garland, ED Gorham, AR Mohr, FC Garland

PURPOSE: Higher serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), are associated with substantially lower incidence rates of colon, breast, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, aggressive prostate and other cancers.

METHODS: Epidemiological findings combined with newly discovered mechanisms suggest a new model of cancer etiology that accounts for these actions of 25(OH)D and calcium. Its seven phases are disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition (abbreviated DINOMIT). Vitamin D metabolites prevent disjunction of cells and are beneficial in other phases.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: It is projected that raising the minimum year- round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L) would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D3, or from a population serum 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.

The beginning of hormonal imbalance

2009-12-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

The Endocrine System

Your endocrine system is a very sensitive communication network — it influences all aspects of your health and well-being, including your reproductive potential, cognitive function, thyroid and metabolism, digestion and hormonal balance.

By giving your body the tools that it needs to function well you can optimize your capacity to detox. Of all the manmade toxins in our environment, the most constantly encountered may be the most worrisome (the ones used to create plastics, pesticides, cleansers, dyes, flame retardants and white paper, among other products). These are called endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC’s), and mimic the action of hormones when absorbed by humans and wildlife. These compounds interfere with the essential inner workings of our cells.

The endocrine system is made up of a number of glands, including the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testes, as well as pockets of tissue throughout the body, all of which secrete calibrated amounts of hormones into the blood stream. Hormones are chemical messengers that orchestrate many of the body’s internal functions — including cell growth, development and division — and how organs behave. They also handle communication between organs.

Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, insulin, cortisol, and the thyroid hormones are just a few of the primary and secondary hormones circulating in our bodies. The hormone–receptor complexes are more intricate than originally thought and makes endocrine disruption more potentially hazardous.

An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic compound that mimics a natural hormone when it is absorbed by the body. It can turn on, turn off, or change normal signals. It can have the effect of altering normal hormone levels, triggering excessive action, or completely blocking a natural response. Any other bodily function controlled by hormones can also be affected.

Manmade chemicals known or suspected to influence the endocrine system are everywhere. They make our plastic products softer and easier to handle, our cosmetic creams and lotions smoother and longer-lasting, and our clothes and furnishings inflammable. They are used in clothing dye (especially denim!), cars and computer casings, Teflon coatings, and disinfectant bleaches. They are diffused throughout the atmosphere by the burning of industrial waste and leach into groundwater from landfills. Scientists are concerned because these chemicals biomagnify in the food chain.

We have a rigorous detoxification system in place in the form of our blood, lymph, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin. But we are being overloaded with manmade chemicals and have trouble filtering this kind of load. This will result in chemical and medical sensitivities, childhood cancers, infertility rates, learning disabilities, autism and mood disorders. We now know that these compounds have effects on thyroid function and brain development as well as reproductive potential. While early on they were referred to as oestrogen disruptors or xenoestrogens, we now realize they play a much broader role.

Cellular disorder can be manifested at quite low doses, perhaps lower than accepted toxic doses. Many of these compounds are lipidophilic — they “like fat” and accumulate in fat tissue. They are not easily detoxed or cleansed from the body so are stored up over decades, particularly in women’s bodies (including breast tissue). These contaminants can be transferred across the placenta to a growing foetus.

What can you do about endocrine disruptors?

The health of your air, water, and earth effects your health. Assess and reduce the potential load of contaminants you come into contact with each day, including plastics, pesticides, housing and clothing material, cleansers, bleach and cosmetics.

1. Work with a holistic, knowledgable health practitioner who is achieving results.

2. Investigate and reduce the chemicals in your kitchen, laundry, bathroom, garden, cosmetics, lotions and toiletries.

3. Choose your food intelligently — eat as organically as possible. Endocrine disruptors and heavy metals magnify in the food chain.

4. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming.

5. Take high quality supplementats with essential fatty acids to ensure rich nutrition and to support your body’s optimal functioning.

6. Support your body’s natural ability to detox by exercising and sweating on a regular basis.

7. Eat plenty of fibre and take a daily probiotic.

8. Be fussy with your water supply. Not all household filters work effectively on hormone-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals. The same for bottled water.

9. Avoid using plastics. Assess the amount of plastic in your life and try to reduce it.

Vitamin D Benefits

2009-10-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

You've heard the good news about vitamin D for years: It's a "miracle" medicine that reduces cancer rates by 77% according to previous research (http://www.naturalnews.com/021892_c...). It also happens to be a powerful anti-cancer medicine that can both prevent and help reverse breast cancer. It is also FREE from the sun.

Here is a compilation of expert quotations on vitamin D and breast cancer, cited from some of the most authoritative books and authors in the world. Feel free to share what you learn here with others who may also be suffering from breast cancer.

http://n-h-d.com/news.php?news_item_id=123

Nipple Discharge

2009-10-05T03:46:00.001-07:00

Nipple discharge – the release of fluid from the nipple – is very common. This is the third most common reported breast problem after lumps and tenderness.

There are 15–20 milk ducts opening onto each nipple. Discharge can come from one or more of these ducts. Nipple discharge can:

• be spontaneous (fluid is secreted from the nipple without any squeezing of the nipple or pressure on the breast), or

• be on expression (fluid is secreted from the nipple when the nipple is squeezed or there is pressure on the breast)

• come from one breast (unilateral) or both breasts (bilateral)

• be clear, yellow, milky, brown, green, or bloodstained in appearance

• originate from one duct (one opening on the nipple) or more than one duct

Physiological nipple discharge

Discharge of fluid from a normal breast is referred to as ‘physiological discharge’. It is usually yellow, milky, or green in appearance, does not occur spontaneously, and often originates from more than one duct. Physiological nipple discharge is no cause for concern. Milky nipple discharge is also normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

When is nipple discharge abnormal?

Spontaneous nipple discharge unrelated to pregnancy or breastfeeding is considered abnormal. In most cases it has a benign (ie. noncancerous) cause, and is more likely to be unilateral, confined to one duct, and clear or bloodstained in appearance. Nipple discharge associated with other breast symptoms such as a lump, ulceration, or inversion of the nipple requires prompt investigation.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is an uncommon cause of nipple discharge. Few women with breast cancer have nipple discharge, and most have other symptoms, eg. a lump or newly inverted nipple. Breast cancer that causes nipple discharge is likely to be benign or early invasive breast cancer rather than advanced breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Growth Rates

2009-10-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in breast tissue. These abnormal cells not only grow at an increased rate compared to normal cells but may also spread, invading other body tissues.

Like a lot of cancers, breast cancer grows by simple cell division. It begins as one malignant cell, which then divides and becomes 2 bad cells, which divide again and become 4 bad cells, and so on. By the time you can feel it, a breast tumour is usually a little more than ½ inch in size – about a third the size of a golf ball. It has also been in your body long enough to have had a chance to spread.

Breast cancer doubles 30 times before it can be discovered. The average doubling time is 100 days, so it can take 8 years of growth until a tumour is visible on a mammogram. Very fast tumours can have a doubling time of 25 days, and very slow breast cancers can have a doubling time of 1000 days. Research shows that tumours may vary their rate of growth over their lifetime.

Depending on breast tissue density and structure, mammography is usually capable of finding breast tumours at approximately 1 cubic centimetre. This is 30 doubling times and about 1 billion cells.

With such a long lead time before becoming clinically evident, there is ample time to put in place effective imaging and health strategies to monitor and reduce risk.

Think before you pink

2009-09-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Pink Promotions Everywhere

Breast cancer is the poster child of corporate cause-marketing campaigns, as companies try to boost their image and their profits by connecting themselves to a good cause.

Breast Cancer Action urges you to ask some critical questions before opening your wallet for pink-ribbon campaigns:

* How much money from your purchase actually goes to the cause?
* What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
* How much money was spent marketing the product?
* How are the funds being raised?
* To what breast cancer organization does the money go, and what types of programs does it support?
* What is the company doing to assure that its products are not contributing to the breast cancer epidemic?

In other words, Think Before You Pink. If shopping could cure breast cancer it would be cured by now. The breast cancer movement needs action from people like you to create real change, the kind that will create a better future for women with, and at risk for, breast cancer.

From www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org

Perth family taken to court for refusing Chemo

2009-09-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

Perth family taken to court to force 10 year old daughter to have chemotherapy

A father has been warned by a Perth hospital that if his daughter did not show up for chemotherapy, legal action against the family would commence. Tamar, 10, has had liver and stomach cancer for several months. The family had refused chemotherapy in the belief the natural therapy being used was more effective. The father, an anaesthetic technician at St John of God Hospital in Murdoch, told the court the natural therapy was working and that it would continue in El Salvador, where his wife was from. Chief Justice Martin refused to grant the order to the lawyers, clearing the way for the parents to treat their daughter as they choose.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/5910714/why-my-daughter-doesnt-need-chemotherapy/

What do you think? Should we have the right to decide our own course of action and that of our family?

Reduce your risk of breast cancer now

2009-09-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

The latest review from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), links breast cancer to excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise and being overweight. Breastfeeding babies also emerges from the study as an important means of reducing the chance of developing breast cancer.

Making small changes to our diet, exercise habits and lifestyle can have a major impact on reducing our risk of all disease.

Monitoring breast health safely is also another option to reduce our risk by picking up early pathology before there are symptoms.

At last! Sensible research that indicates we can take control of our own health.

5 benefits of saliva testing for hormones

2009-08-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

Look Good, Feel Great, Live Longer!

A salivary hormone test is a comprehensive hormone test which can reveal many clues about your current health which may not be obvious using other tests. It’s easy too - all you need to do is spit into a tube, so no needles!

1· Improve Your Energy!

Salivary hormone testing can reveal the impact aging, illness and lifestyle including stress have had on your adrenal and sex hormones which may be affecting your energy. These include particularly the hormones DHEA, cortisol, testosterone and oestrogens. If your stress hormone cortisol is either too high or too low or your oestrogens are too high, they may also be interfering with your thyroid and other hormones and robbing you of energy. And, contrary to popular belief, not all women have low oestrogen after menopause!

2· Look Younger and Live Longer!

Your hormone DHEA is known as your longevity hormone. While scientists are still trying to understand exactly how this hormone works, what they do know is that it that seems to have a protective effect on your brain, skin, bone and muscle mass, immune system, blood sugar balance and against cancer cells. What does this mean? Low DHEA levels have been associated with accelerated aging including thinning of the skin, wasting of muscle, bone loss, fat gain and cancer!

Having too much oestrogen can also increase your risk of certain types of cancer including breast, endometrial, ovarian, cervical and possibly colon and other cancers.

3· Lose Weight!

As already mentioned above, having a low DHEA means you tend to put on fat and lose muscle. Having other hormonal imbalances like too much oestrogen and not enough progesterone (known as oestrogen dominance) and too much cortisol cause you to gain weight and have difficulty losing it. Excess oestrogen causes you to gain weight around your waist, hips and thighs which is hard to shift. Having a high level of cortisol for long periods interferes with your blood sugar balance and causes you to gain weight around your middle. This in turn increases your risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease like heart attack, stroke and thrombosis (blood clotting).

4· Be Symptom Free and Enjoy Life!

Having oestrogen dominance syndrome causes a multitude of symptoms. If you suffer from symptoms during the week or two before your period like mood swings, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, breast tenderness, food cravings, bloating or painful or heavy periods, you very likely have oestrogen dominance. In fact there are about 150 known premenstrual symptoms and many of these are caused by oestrogen dominance.

Many of the symptoms you may be experiencing prior to and around menopause may also be a result of oestrogen dominance or other hormonal imbalances. Symptoms you might experience around this time include premenstrual symptoms, aches and pains, difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating, irritability, hot flushes and sweats, sleep problems, heart palpitations and more.

Low sex-drive, fertility problems, acne, fibroids, endometriosis, breast lumps and cysts, depression and sleep problems are also very often related to hormonal imbalances.

5· Feel Confident in your test results!

Salivary hormone tests can test more accurately than blood tests for the 'free or available' level of your sex hormones plus a few other very important steroid hormones. Why? In your blood, most of these hormones are bound to large protein molecules, which effectively make them unavailable to your cells. Only the small percentage of these hormones not bound to protein molecules (estimated to be less than 5%) are able to move out of your blood vessels and be used by your cells.

Blood testing doesn't differentiate between the hormones bound to protein molecules and those that are ‘free’ whereas saliva testing only measures the 'free' hormone level.

Blood tests for the stress hormone cortisol are also notoriously unreliable because when faced with a needle most people become at least a bit stressed which causes their cortisol level to rise and could cause a false normal result in someone with low cortisol. Cortisol is also best tested first thing in the morning between 6 and 8am - not the most convenient time to be having a blood test done.

Restoring Your Hormonal Balance After the Test

By finding out what hormonal imbalances you have, your treatment can be tailored specifically to those imbalances, which means you feel better faster!

And the good news is that you don't need to use hormones to restore the balance! Using hormones including patches, troches, tablets, contraceptive pills, injections, vaginal rings and intrauterine devices like Mirena doesn't fix the cause of your hormonal imbalances. In fact, they may actually cause other hormonal imbalances. And, while you use hormones your body stops making its own, so your symptoms will usually return soon after you stop using them.

Natural therapies on the other hand address the underlying causes of your hormonal imbalances which means that apart from a few basic nutritional supplements, you don't need to take things long-term and there are only positive side-effects!

To regain your health, happiness and sanity naturally, without drugs or hormones
Call Kris Kern today on 0414 247 155 (Perth)
Kris Kern, Scientific Naturopath & Herbalist
BHSc, AdvDip (Western Herbal Medicine)

Or visit www.HormoneHelpNow.com for your free report titled
‘3 Crucial Keys to Restoring Hormonal Balance Every Woman Must Know’.

Are you into Social Networking Yet?

2009-08-10T18:58:00.001-07:00

I was encouraged by family and friends to blog, twitter, network, link. Why do I have to? Who will benefit? When will I have time?

Once started, I have been introduced to some wonderful talent and so much knowledge. Where do you start?

Pick up some ideas from Alison at Business Women Unite. Alison asks: what are the benefits of joining these networking sites?

They all offer different things but by using these sites you can promote your business to thousands of visitors that these sites get every week which helps generate traffic to your business. You can expand your business by connecting and doing business with people from all over the world.

Sites like LinkedIn are based on the concept that someone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone else…and on it goes. They have applied this to business but you can also connect with lost school friends and work colleagues.

Whereas Twitter is different again and you communicate with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? It takes a bit of getting used to but it’s worth it.

On the Business Women Unite site there are more business related tools such as a discussion forum that you can use to ask questions, share resources and get tested business tips plus experts who can give you advice on how to increase your sales and profits, how to drive more traffic to your website and how to have a better lifestyle plus much more.

If you have the right strategy and the right approach you can turn a few minutes a day into thousands of extra dollars. Isn’t that worth the bother!

Do you like the sound of social networking and dont know where to begin? Are you a business woman? More information here: http://businesswomenunite.net.

From Jo Firth - for women who are empowered to manage their future.

Missed diagnoses: who is responsible?

2009-08-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

When an early stage cancer is missed or a serious illness is wrongly diagnosed, many of us blame our doctors.

What has emerged most recently from studies is that diagnostic failures are often due to missed steps, so-called “process of care lapses,” that stem from both doctors and patients.

As empowered individuals, we can challenge the medical system, take control of our health and explore all the options. We can also make an informed decision based on harms versus benefits. However we have a responsibility to act when required, even if the outcome may be not what we desire.

This article appeared recently in the New York Times. Something to think about.
http://bit.ly/3pawL1

Chemotherapy contributes to a quarter of cancer deaths: study

2009-08-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

ABC reported on a study done by British National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Deaths. The study highlighted a review of late-stage cancer patients who died within 30 days of chemo treatment. One in four deaths was cused or hastened by the chemotherapy.

The ABC story is here: http://bit.ly/2R4jns

Note: this review was done on late-stage cancer patients and discusses the issues of the patient understanding the limitations of intervention with chemotherapy.

What do you think?

Should Genes be Patented?

2009-07-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Luigi Palombi, author of Gene Cartels: Biotech Patents in the Age of Free Trade. Dr Palombi is concerned that the USA have already patented 20% of human genes.

Dr Palomi said:

We the people need to tell our politicians and their advisors that we find anti-competitive conduct unacceptable. That using the patent system in the way that it is currently being used to expand patentable subject matter to genes and other naturally occurring biological materials is unacceptable. That when it comes to the national security of this country (and health is a matter of national security just as is the capacity to produce medicines domestically) patent laws must not be so one sided in favour of the patent owner that national security is jeopardised.

Nearly 20% of all human genes are already patented in the US, but is this grab for intellectual property slowing down vital, potentially lifesaving medical research?

Public hearings begin in some Australian cities from 3 August, discussing whether genes should be patented.
More info: http://www.aussmc.org/GenespatentJul09.php

2009-07-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

Can You Trust Your Mammogram?
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on a large scale review of mammograms in the United States, where large variance was found in how accurate a mammogram was interpreted. The study found up to 30% of mammograms were interpreted incorrectly and the cancer was not identified.

Also reported in the story was another review of how well radiologists analyse diagnostic x-rays, that is, when they already know of the suspicious area. On average, it was found, 21% of cancers were missed at the diagnostic x-ray stage. In one centre, 73% of cancers were missed!

The story from the Chronicle here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/07/29/hearstmaghealth381278.DTL

At the moment, mammography is still the most recognised way to screen for breast cancer, and many countries offer a government screening program. However, there is an ethical obligation to look at other options for the many women who choose not to have a mammogram, or for whom a mammogram may not be suitable for.

Benign breast lumps

2009-07-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

What is a benign breast lump?
Most breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). All women have lumpy breasts: many lumps or nodules that women find are areas of normal breast tissue which can become more prominent just before a period.
Two common causes of lumps are fibroadenomas and cysts.

Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign breast lumps seen in women under the age of 35 years. These lumps are not strictly speaking disease at all but a simple overgrowth of the lobules or the leaf of the breast tree (tissue). Usually painless, firm, solitary, mobile, slowly growing lump in the breast of a woman of childbearing years.
Most fibroadenomas are 2-3 cm in size, but may reach up to 6-7 cm. Fibroadenomas consist of epithelial and fibrous components. Branching and budding ducts are surrounded by fibrous tissue. Involution (shrinking in size) is common with increasing age of the lesion. Rarely, fibroadenomas enlarge in postmenopausal women, with or without hormone replacement therapy.
If you have a fibroadenoma, it may not need to be removed. If left alone, at least one in three of these lumps gets smaller or disappears within two years. If you are worried about the lump or it gets bigger, you can opt to have it removed.

Cysts
A breast cyst is a round or oval fluid-filled sac with distinct edges. They may be painful. You can have one or many breast cysts, often in both breasts. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a soft grape or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm. Cysts vary in size from microscopic to a few centimetres. Cysts are the most common breast masses in women aged 30 to 50 years and usually disappear after menopause, unless you're taking hormone therapy.
Cysts can be painful and may be worrisome but are generally benign. Breast cysts can be part of fibrocystic disease. The pain and swelling is usually worse in the second half of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
Breast cysts don't require treatment unless a cyst is large and painful or otherwise uncomfortable. In that case, draining the fluid from a breast cyst can ease your symptoms. Cysts do not need to be drained every time. Typical treatment involves a Needle aspiration biopsy. Aspirated cysts often recur (come back); definitive treatment may require surgery.
Of every six women who develop cysts:
· three will develop only one cyst during their lifetime
· two will get between three and five cysts
· one will have more than five cysts.
The breast goes through various stages during our lifetime. It may help to think of these stages as seasons:
· During 'spring' the breast develops and this is when overgrowth of lobules (fibroadenomas) occur.
· In 'summer' the breasts live through regular menstrual cycles; women often notice pain and lumpiness immediately before their period.
· During 'autumn' the lobules of the breast tissue can become abnormal and enlarge to form cysts. Cysts are a form of ageing.

What should I do if I find a lump?
Lumps are common, and the majority are not cancerous. Nevertheless, if you find a lump in your breast, you should make an appointment for breast imaging and have the lump checked by your doctor.

The impact of being diagnosed young

2009-07-22T01:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a story that hits home! This young woman was diagnosed at 23, after failing to convince her doctors that she had a problem.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1200552/Same-genes-background-looks-So-did-twin-cancer.html

We have heard this story many times over, about young women experiencing symptoms and not being taken seriously by their doctor.

Safe Breast Imaging suggests the two-step feel test: what does your breast symptom FEEL like, and what do you feel intuitively? If you think that you may have a problem, do not let your doctor dismiss your concerns.

Now there is screening available for women of all ages in Australia. It is safe, comfortable, radiation free. If we can pick up clues that may potentially cause problems in the future, and work on reducing our risk at that stage, isnt it a better strategy than waiting for a positive diagnosis?

Tell us what you think.

Is breast screening good for you?

2009-07-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of debate lately, following the release of the most recent study by Gotzche from the Nordic Cochrane Review in Denmark looking at overdiagnosis in mammography screening programs.

The topic: Systematic review of published trends in incidence of breast cancer before and after the introduction of mammography screening.
Here is the actual study from the British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/jul09_1/b2587
Following the article are other relevant article details, and some "rapid responses" to the published study. Many of these responses focus on the issue of harm versus benefits of screening.

What do you think?