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Christina Applegate Is Ready to Fight

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:30:42 -0800

When the new guidelines for breast exams came out late last year, I admit that I was surprised. They were announced just as National Breast Cancer Awareness month was ending: women in their 40s should no longer have annual mammograms, and women between the ages of 50-74 should have one exam every other year. The United States Preventive Services Task Force also recommended that doctors stop teaching women how to examine their own breasts.

The panel defended its choice by stating that the harm of early testing far outweighs the benefit. The research it looked over indicated that mammograms produce false-positive results in about 10 of cases, which leads to more tests, anxiety, and unneeded treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. According to the study, early screening did little to prevent breast-cancer-related deaths or mastectomies in younger women.

To hear what breast cancer survivor and actress Christina Applegate thinks of the new testing guidelines, read more.

It wasn't surprising that this announcement sparked a huge debate on both sides. The American Cancer Society vehemently opposes the new guidelines and says that routine mammograms are key in detecting early cancer and preventing mastectomies and breast-cancer-related deaths.

Recently Christina Applegate added to the debate, saying this about the issue:

"Don't even get me started. Look, I just started to sweat. I get a little angry. I don't mind being outspoken about that. I think that is the most atrocious thing that I've ever heard. I was 36 years old when I had breast cancer, and you're going to have people wait until like their 50 to get screened? It irks my whole body. I'm telling you it's not going to happen. We women will fight against that as much as we can."

It's clear that this debate will continue to pick up steam on both sides - it will also be interesting to see if these new guidelines change current health insurance policies. How do you feel about the new testing guidelines? Are you as upset as Christina? Share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.

Health Headlines: The Fight Against Breast Cancer Is Stronger

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:00:02 -0800

Two stories came out this week that show great promise for the fight against breast cancer by ridding the body of breast cancer stem cells. These stem cells have been resistant to chemotherapy treatments and remained in the breast even after the cancer went into remission. Researchers hope that if they can eliminate the stem cells responsible for breast cancer, they can control the spread and recurrence of the disease.

Spices May Prevent Breast Cancer
- WebMD
In combination, turmeric and black pepper were shown to halt the growth of new breast cancer stem cells when applied in a laboratory dish. Piperine, which is found in black and long pepper, enhances the cancer-fighting properties of curcumin, which is prevalent in the spice turmeric. Before you run out and grab that curry, keep in mind that the spice solution was 20 times more potent than the spices found in a normal diet. More studies will be done to find a safe dosage for patients.

Experimental Drug Kills Breast Cancer Stem Cells
- Reuters
In clinical trials, an experimental compound called MK-0752 was effective in killing breast cancer stem cells in lab mice. The mice were injected with breast cancer stem cells from women and grew tumors that were identical to those growing in the women. When researchers combined chemotherapy with the compound they found, they were able to halt the growth of new cells.

More on Soy and Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:00:41 -0800

The relationship between soy products and breast cancer seems to be ever evolving. A new study sheds some light on the subject, but by no means closes the conversation. An ongoing Chinese study followed just over 5,000 breast cancer survivors between the ages of 20 and 75. The participants were broken up into two groups: those that ate more than 15 grams of soy protein daily and those that ate under five grams of soy protein daily. Four years into the study, the survival rate was higher and the recurrence rate was lower in the women who ate more soy.

In the past, it was theorized that soy isoflavones stimulated the estrogen receptors in breast-cancer cells, but this latest study may indicate the opposite is true. The lead author of the study, cancer epidemiologist Dr. Xiao Ou Shu, MD, PhD, theorizes that

"Soy isoflavones may compete with estrogens produced by the body. Soy isoflavones may also reduce the body's production of estrogen, and increase clearance of these hormones from the circulation - all of which together reduce the overall amount of estrogen in the body."

While other breast cancer experts are intrigued with these findings, they would like more evidence to support the potential benefits of soy before recommending their patients add more soy products to their diets. Once again, moderation reigns when it comes to diet. Dr. Larry Norton, medical director of the Evelyn Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, tells his patients that soy certainly has its place in a well balanced diet, but he doesn't recommend soy as the only source of protein nor does he recommend soy supplements.

Source: Flickr User adactio

A Girl's Guide to Breast Tissue

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:45:41 -0800

Last Summer, health researchers recommended that women no longer need to perform self-breast exams, but that hasn't stopped me. A few women I know discovered breast cancer early through self-examinations and received early treatment, which saved their lives.

Breast tissue tends to be lumpy, so when you examine your girls each month, you want to look , or rather feel, for changes in consistency, size, or tenderness. If you happen to feel something different from the surrounding tissue, you may instantly think breast cancer. Here's a guide from Health magazine to help you figure out what to do based on what you feel.

If you felt something different read more.

Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:50:06 -0800

The US Preventive Services Task Force recently made the suggestion that women don't need to get mammograms until they're 50 years old, instead of 40 like previously thought. They also recommend getting tested every other year instead of annually. Can you guess which breast cancer survivor said this in response?

"We have gotten ourselves into a big, deep hole in the way that we look at health care. We are in a system where they get money when we're sick. That's never going to work for us. So when someone says, 'You don't need a mammogram until you're 50,' you take charge of that. I don't trust any of that."

Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Beyond Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:03 -0700

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Beyond Yoga, one of my favorite brands of fitness clothes, is offering some unique pink products. The company is donating 30 percent of the proceeds from the sale of these I Am Beyond . . . Hopeful water bottles ($36) and its Lift and Support Bra ($64) to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Every sale will support research, education, and outreach for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of female cancers. A minimum of $4 will be donated for every water bottle sold, and a $10 donation will be made for every bra sold.

To hear more about these products and see some other photos, keep reading

13 Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:22 -0700

In America, a woman has a one in nine chance for developing breast cancer. While that statistic is extremely depressing, here are some lifestyle choices you can make to help decrease your risk.

Source: Getty

View Slideshow ›

Is Your Underwire Bra a Breast Cancer Risk?

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:00:51 -0700

Teaching at a yoga studio means I meet a lot of free-spirited folks. One student told me she stopped wearing underwire bras because she heard they can lead to breast cancer. This idea has been circling around that wearing a bra all day compresses the lymphatic system of the breast, resulting in accumulation of toxins that cause breast cancer. Just about every woman I know wears a bra, and most opt for the ones with supportive underwires, so are we all at risk?

To find out read more.

Here are some reassuring words straight from the American Cancer Society.

"We do not know of any epidemiologic studies published in scientific journals that suggest bras directly contribute to breast cancer risk or that lymphatic compression by bras might cause breast cancer. "

Another fact to chew on. If wearing an over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder was linked to an increased risk in breast cancer, statistics would have shown a drop in breast cancer diagnoses in the 60s when most women were burning their bras and going braless. But stats didn't drop.

So wear your push-ups, underwires, demi cups, and sports bras without fear, especially if not wearing a bra is not an option for your girls.

Handling a Loved One's Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:30 -0700

When someone in your life tells you that they have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's difficult to know how to respond or the best way to help. Glamour and Bright Pink, a nonprofit support group for women with breast and ovarian cancer, offered these helpful tips on how to make the conversation easier:

Don't try to guess what she wants - ask how can you help. Some women may want a special girls' night in, while others may need a friend to go with her to doctor's appointments.
Don't burden her with your sadness. She's carrying the weight of her own fear and grief, try not to give her yours as well - she needs all the strength you can offer.

There are more tips, so keep reading.

Simply Fab: Elizabeth and James Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace

FabSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:22 -0700

Besides hosting Halloween, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It affects millions of women in the world - including these courageous celebrities. This exclusive Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace ($58), by Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James, tops my list of awesome, cause-worthy finds. I'm smitten with the simplistic design and the rose gold leaf is beautiful. What a fashionable way to show your support to breast cancer.