HOW TO SAVE A LIFE
YOUR MUST-READ BREAST CANCER UPDATE

Breast cancer. There, I said it. This phrase has taken up permanent residency in my brain. Generally speaking,
as a woman of “a certain age," I need to own this potential reality and specifically, as the daughter of a breast
cancer survivor, I need to be its vigilant enemy.

How is it that we have so much knowledge available on the disease, so much awareness (pink ribbons have become
as ubiquitous as the golden arches of McDonald’s)  but still so many new cases rear their ugly heads each year? A
survey of professionals, support group leaders and websites will tell you the simple answer: women do not believe it
will happen to them.

An estimated 212,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and over 40,000 of these women will eventually die from the disease. Statistics like these are mind-numbing and almost too staggering for many women to grasp. But getting on board with the facts surrounding breast cancer, its diagnosis and treatments is not only vitally important,  but  can be one of the most empowering things we do as women.

Experts everywhere agree that early detection is our best defense. The Susan G. Komen Foundation suggests you schedule your first mammogram around your 40th birthday—providing you don't fall into an at-risk category—and then regular exams every single year thereafter. If you are at risk or have a family history of the disease, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss when your first test should be. Jackie Mordaunt, executive director of the Western New York Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, can’t stress enough that women need “to know their risk factors and not be afraid to get tested.” This, she says is where a lot of women will “fail to get the treatment they need and deserve in a timely fashion.” She continues that “it is so, so crucial to have the clock-ticking in your favor when dealing with breast cancer.”

New on the breast cancer detection front is a technology called Thermography.  Thermography uses heat to sense cellular changes in the breast and according to some studies, can find breast cancer far quicker than mammograms. Consult your healthcare provider or insurance company to see if this service is available to you.
If  you're diagnosed with breast cancer, this early detection will set the stage for your treatment options, ranging from medication, surgery, alternative medicines, radiation and chemotherapy. Of course, your specific regimen may consist of any combination of these alternatives, depending upon your specific case. Knowledge is power, ladies. The more you know, the more able you'll be to make informed choices about your treatment.

Lisa Agate, RN, an oncology nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY, is on the front lines of breast cancer care. She sees patients through their infusion (chemo) treatments, aiding with medication questions and addressing their unique psychological needs. Agate says that “addressing [your] modifiable risk-factors, like smoking and drinking, can have an amazingly beneficial effect on [your] outcome”.  She adds that “compliance with outpatient treatments is key.”  She has seen many women show up for chemotherapy religiously but then ignore doctor's orders on taking medications or reporting problems or changes. “Those patients don’t do well over the long haul”, says Agate.  “They typically become depressed, despondent and have a higher rate of relapse.” On the other hand, she has seen remarkable recoveries and women who have survived upwards of 15 years without a relapse. “It’s really personal. The type of care a patient chooses and commits to can make all the difference,” Agate adds.

So, while we count the days till our diagnostic testing appointment, what else can we do? Self-breast exams are a great place to start. Get a baseline ‘feel’ for your breast tissue by ‘dancing’ your fingers clock-wise around your areola.  Do this every time you shower and make mental notes of changes you feel. You can call 1.800 I’M AWARE  for more detailed instructions on performing this test.

Here's what else you can do:
Stop smoking
Maintain a healthy, steady weight
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages more than 4 times a week—4 ounces per drink only
Know your family history
Study the disease and possible treatments—especially if you are an alternative-medicine woman since the treatment possibilities in this realm are as complex and varied as a traditional western medical model of care
And if you wouldn’t mind, the next time you see one of those pink ribbons, think some good thoughts for my mom. She’s six months out and kicking-some-cancer-ass!—Michele OBrien

Michele OBrien is the mother of two rockin' little girls and wife to one hip husband. A former Bloomberg TV exec, she's currently studying nursing and midwifery and is usually pretty exhausted.

FIND OUT MORE
www.newdimensionthermography.com
www.komen.org
www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_breast_cancer.html
www.breastcancer.org/research_antibiotics.html