Archive for the 'Cancer' Category

Oct 03 2007

Breast Cancer Awareness

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breast-exam.pngOctober…it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s the month we remind every woman to do her self breast exams. We also remind them to get into the clinic and get a clinical breast exam and a mammogram.

I’m always amazed at the women who don’t want to touch themselves and do an exam. They also don’t want their provider to do an exam, nor will they get a mammogram. Continue Reading »

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Mar 31 2007

Aspirin & Women’s Health

AspirinAspirin, which has been recommended by many studies over the years to reduce the risk of heart disease, is now recommended for women who are older and prone to cardiovascular disease.

This latest recommendations comes from researchers at the Nurses Health Study. Started in 1976, the NHS has been one of the longest and most significant studies to date on several aspects of women’s health.

Recent data shows that middle aged and older women who took aspirin had a 25% lower risk of death compared to those who never took it. This included a 38% decrease risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 12% lower risk of death from cancer.

Of course, aspirin (like everything else) is not without side effects, so make sure you speak with your health care provider to see if this is something for you.

 

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Oct 10 2006

Funding Mammograms

The Breast Cancer site is a project of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Going to the Breast Cancer Site and clicking daily will help fund mammograms for women in need. Check out The Breast Cancer Site.

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Jun 26 2006

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Published by barbara under Cancer

This 6 minute video was produced by KOMO News in Seattle and is excellent. Everyone can learn from it. Please take a moment to learn more about Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

http://tinyurl.com/s2gh2

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May 17 2006

6 Foods That Fight Cancer

For many years we’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat”. Well, it turns out it’s more true than not - and often in ways we were not thinking of. Antioxidants are an important part of your overall health - and getting them from good foods is always preferrable.
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Many experts believe the easiest and least expensive way to reduce the risk of developing cancer is by eating a healthy diet. The list provides a general outline of how these foods work and the foods that contain the best sources of cancer-fighting agents, including foliate-rich foods, foods that contain Vitamin D, tea, cruciferous vegetables, curcumin, and ginger.

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Apr 02 2006

Breast Cancer and Smoking…

Published by barbara under Cancer, General Health

A study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (”Hutch”) in Seattle reports a strong association between increased incidence of breast cancer and smoking. Other studies have certainly indicated a correlation. What was unique about this is it looked at older, postmenopausal women.

If you smoke, are exposed to 2nd hand smoke, or have friends that smoke…this is worth a read. Please share.

Long-Term Smoking is Associated With Up to 40 Percent Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

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Mar 10 2006

Have you had your colonoscopy yet?

The American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screening starting at age 50 (sooner if you have a family history of the disease), but few people are doing this. In the following survey, many said their providers don’t bring up the issue. However, I think it goes further than that.

I do happen to discuss this with my patients, and about 1/2 of them will get the test done - the others…they don’t even want to think about it. I can understand it - I’m not looking forward to mine either…but I think I’d rather have the test than develope something that can be taken care of early on.

While this study was done by the makers of another type of test, I think the results are probably valid. See what you think. Most Americans still skip colon cancer screening

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Feb 22 2006

Living with Lung Cancer - Workshop

Published by barbara under Cancer

Living with Lung Cancer Workshop
A free two-part telephone education workshop series for people living with lung cancer, their families, friends and health care professionals is scheduled for Feb. 23 (Part I) and June 14 (Part II). Both workshops are held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST. Register online or call 800-813-HOPE.

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Feb 08 2006

Oh-oh, now what?

Well the study may not have panned out as it was anticipated, however, it does lead one to believe that we really need to start eating better at a younger age.

This is not to say that 50 is too late to start though. As always, take every study with a grain of salt.

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Those healthy veggies and virtuous non-fat desserts help women far less than doctors hoped — if they help at all, say three major studies trying to link low-fat, high-fibre diets with reduced cancer risk, heart disease and stroke.

Today, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that an eight-year clinical trial of 48,800 U.S. women aged 50 and up indicates either that a good diet is overrated, or that midlife is too late to begin it.

The journal sums it up bluntly: “A diet low in fat, but high in fruit, vegetables and grains, does not significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer or cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.”

Scientific jaws are dropping everywhere.

Breast and colon cancer are two of the three most common cancers in North American women (along with lung cancer).

For decades, doctors have urged women to eat a healthier diet as a defence against these diseases, as well as to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent heart disease and stroke.

The high-fibre, low-fat diet is still a good idea, some of the researchers conclude — but if so, then tweaking a diet at age 50 is too little, too late, to change a woman’s future health.

You can read the rest of it here

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Nov 21 2005

Avoidable Cancer Deaths

On an annual basis, millions deaths from cancer could be prevented. A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal reported that 12 types of cancer are caused by exposure to 9 risk factors.

Which are the most common?

  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Not eating enough fruits and vegetables.

If the majority of these deaths are preventable, what are we waiting for? Read the rest here!

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomenâ„¢

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