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Breast Cancer and Nutrition: is there a connection?

November 7, 2012 By

 

Based on current breast cancer incidence rates, experts estimate that about one out of every eight women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life. Baby boomer women are keenly aware that their risk of developing this disease increases as they get older, and are actively searching for lifestyle changes that focus on prevention.

Many factors increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, including genetic factors, hormonal factors, obesity and alcohol use. More recent studies are showing the significance of environmental factors including the use of synthetic hormones (in pharmaceuticals or foods), and environmental toxin exposure. It has been widely recognized that genetics, diet, lifestyle and nutritional factors play a role, not only in the development of cancers, but also in treatment and outcome of cancer.

High Carb Diets Linked to Breast Cancer
 
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in April 2012 that found a connection between high “glycemic load” and breast cancers that lack receptors for the female sex hormone estrogen. About 1/4 of the diagnosed breast cancers diagnosed are estrogen receptor negative. These cancers typically have a poorer prognosis than ER-positive cancers because they tend to grow faster and are not sensitive to hormone-based therapies. In this study, postmenopausal women who ate a high-carb diet were 36% higher risk of this type of breast cancer.

Specific Dietary Recommendations

It is well known that a healthy balanced diet filled with lean protein, good fats, vegetables and whole grain fiber and limiting refined carbs is best to achieve and maintain optimal health. Other general recommendations focus on reducing toxic exposure and increasing the body’s detoxification pathways. Be sure to work with your doctor and other health care practitioners to optimize your personal plan.

  • Eliminate all sugar and white flour products; this includes candy, desserts, cookies, processed breads, pasta, bagels, flour tortillas, including processed gluten-free grains.
  • Eat only high-quality animal protein (organic, grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free) or whole-food vegetable proteins, if you are vegetarian (beans, nuts, seeds, grains).
  • Avoid flame-broiled or grilled meats; carcinogens that increase risk are formed from this cooking process.
  • Avoid plastic and Styrofoam water bottles, food containers, coffee cup lids, etc. Plastics can contain hormone disruptors that interfere with hormone balance.
  • Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, foods containing bromine, hydrogenated oils and trans fats.
  • Take a high quality full-spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals and consider adding a high quality grape seed extract and Co-Enzyme Q10 for a combined protection of healthy cells and apotisis of cancerous cells.
  • Be sure to use skin, hair and body care products (especially deodorants) that are free of parabens and other harmful chemicals.

In their recent report the Institute of Medicine urges more research on a life-course approach to studying the environment (including food) and breast cancer. Currently there is not enough information about many of the chemicals encountered in everyday life to determine their connection with breast cancer. Until these studies are completed, it is prudent to avoid potential carcinogens as much as possible.

Live Well!

Robin Thomas

The information given is provided for educational purposes only. This should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, nor is this information meant to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting or discontinuing any treatment or supplement regimen.

 

Robin Thomas spent 22 years in medical research at the University of North Carolina focusing the last 7 years on the inflammatory process of chronic degenerative diseases. In 2004 she left the laboratory to start her own health and wellness business. Robin shares informative articles about new research discoveries in nutritional medicine and adopting lifestyle changes aligned with a healthful and passionate life at her blog, http://robinthomas.biz and at Examiner.com  

 

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1 Minute of your time will help Children with Cancer

September 16, 2012 By

Good Afternoon everyone! Striving for More has been nominated for the Chase Community Giving Grant. The 196 non profits with the most votes will be given grants ranging from $ 250K to $ 10K.

The voting period ends on Wednesday, 9/19. So please vote now! I humbly ask you to vote and share the special link that the app gives you with your friends so that they vote too! Lets make this go viral in the Triangle and beyond!

VOTE HERE: https://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charity/view/ein/26-4209639?ref=1ee1f6d9ae

This grant would provide funding to Striving for More. A Triangle Based non profit that I formed 4 years ago after I lost my 9 year old daughter to cancer. We work hard to ensure that children with cancer and their families receive quality emotional support.

The voting link includes a 2 minute video sharing how our organization could benefit from the grant money if you would like to learn more or feel free to check our our website at http:://www.striving4more.org

Thank you so much!!

With hope,
Diane

PS – If you are a Chase Credit Card customer, you can also vote at: http://www.chasegiving.com

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Dr. Mann’s Take on Oral Cancer and Early Detection

May 7, 2012 By

First I’d like to thank all that participated in our complimentary Oral Cancer Screening Event here at the office on Thursday, April 19. We all count it as a tremendous success for two important reasons: the light it shed on the serious nature of the disease and the simple steps we can all take to detect it early and ultimately cure it.
It’s a fact that one American dies every hour from oral cancer. The American Cancer Society reported a 5.5% increase in new cases of oral cancer and a 1.5% increase in deaths associated with oral cancer.

The good news is that oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it is detected in its earliest stage. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to have a semi-annual oral exam from a professional dentist.

We utilize the latest technologies in addition to visual/manual screening methods. Through the use of a specially designed light, we can more accurately detect precancerous and cancerous abnormalities. When pre-malignancies or early-stage oral cancer is found, treatment is simpler, less invasive and more than 90% successful. However, if oral cancer goes undetected and is not diagnosed until later stages, then disfiguring effects of the face and other invasive treatment is necessary.

You may be asking yourself what are the risk factors and what you can do to prevent contracting the disease. Well, alarmingly more than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other lifestyle risk factors such as chronic alcohol use or HIV/HPV. Of course those who do use tobacco products or consume at least 2 ounces of alcohol three times per week are at the highest risk of getting this disease.

Like all forms of cancer, we can certainly list risk factors, but there are still the unexplained causes that exist. So remember, that’s why we stress the importance of this lifesaving screening.

If you or someone you know has been neglecting a visit to the dentist for whatever reason, take the time to give us a call and schedule a comprehensive exam. Nothing beats peace of mind…and it’ll be our pleasure to give that to you.

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Free Oral Cancer Screenings Conducted at C. Ashley Mann, DDS, in Cary on April 19, 2012

April 2, 2012 By

April, recognized as Oral Cancer Awareness Month, is a very important time around our dental practice in Cary.

In partnership with The Oral Cancer Foundation, we will be offering free oral cancer screenings open to the public on Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 1:00p.m. until 4:00p.m., in an effort to educate the community about this prevalent and silent killer. Pre-registration is now open by emailing me and my team at admin@drashleymann.com.

Unfortunately, oral cancer is not a rare disease. In fact, it kills one person every hour of every day, and over 100 new individuals will be diagnosed with it each day. Currently, approximately 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the US.

The good news is that it can often be found early in its development through a simple, painless, and quick screening.

Who should get screened?
Every adult. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. With early detection, survival rates are high and the side effects are from treatment are at their lowest. Like other screenings you engage in such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages. Make them part of your annual health check-ups.

What are the risk factors?
There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US, and the same one, which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. The quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, healthy, non-smokers due to the connection to this virus.

Early Indicators:
Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth.

Any sore which does not heal within 14 days.

Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time.

Advanced Indicators:
A sensation that something is stuck in you throat.

Numbness in the oral region.

Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue.

Difficulty in swallowing.

Ear pain which occurs on one side only.

A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.

A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck.

An oral cancer screening should be conducted every year, so take advantage of this free offer on April 19, 2012. The complimentary screenings will be conducted at our office on 315 East Chatham Street, Cary, NC from 1:00p.m. until 4:00p.m. Pre-registration by email at admin@drashleymann.com is required.

For more information about oral cancer, please log onto The Oral Cancer Foundation’s official website at www.oralcancer.org.

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