Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women. In 2009, approximately 194,280 patients were estimated to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,280 with carcinoma in situ. An estimated 40,610 would have died of this disease. For a woman of average risk, the lifetime incidence of breast cancer is one in eight.
In November 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published its recommendations: 1) against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years, and 2) for every other year screening mammography for women between the ages of 50 and 74 years. The USPSTF states that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits of mammography in women 75 years or older.
These new recommendations sent shockwaves throughout the country. All major cancer organizations including the American Cancer Society voiced their disagreements with these new government guidelines. It is a well known fact that screening of asymptomatic women has been accredited for the decline in mortality of breast cancer. This is particularly true for young women, the group less than 50 years old. Even the USPSTF agrees that among women between 39 and 49 years of age, screening mammography results in a 15% reduction in the risk of death from breast cancer. However, 1,904 such women need to have mammograms to prevent one single death. For women aged 50 to 59 years, the number needed is 1,339; and the risk reduction is 14%. One possible interpretation is that it is acceptable to waste 1,338 screenings (1,339 1) but unacceptable to waste 1,903 (1,904 – 1). If you are between 39 and 49 years of age, is your life worth making 1,903 other women have mammograms? Conversely, would you be willing to get a mammogram so that one life out of 1,904 be saved?
The harms of mammogram stem from false-positives, meaning an abnormality on mammogram that turns out to not be cancer. The USPSTF lists pain, anxiety, return doctor visit, and unwarranted imaging and biopsy. Furthermore, overdiagnosis can happen, meaning that detecting and treating that breast cancer would not make a difference in the womans lifespan. According to the USPSTF report, because the likelihood that DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ, a form of early breast cancer) will progress to invasive cancer is unknown, surgical removal with or without adjuvant treatment may represent overdiagnosis or overtreatment. We know that in situ cancer can become invasive cancer that is potentially lethal; we just dont know when and in whom. So if its you, would you like to leave the DCIS in your breast and watch it grow?
Thanks to the outcry from doctors and patients alike, the USPSTF statement is not being used to deny insurance coverage for mammogram in women aged 40 to 49 years. The current recommendation still stands, and it is annual screening mammogram starting at age 40. The age at which screening is stopped should be individualized by considering the potential risks and benefits of screening in the context of the womans overall health status and longevity.
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Flax seed contain high volumes of fiber and lignan. Fiber is important in fighting cancer, such as colon and breast cancer, as is usually attained from fruits and vegetables. Lignan is a plant chemical inside the flax seed and is viewed as the main component that fights hormone-dependent cancers. Hormones produced in the body stimulate cancerous cells to grow, but lignans do the opposite. There are 75-800 times more lignans in flax seeds than vegetables or other grain foods. Healthy benefits, like reducing the risk of cancer and healthy weight management, can be acquired by simply adding 1/8 – 1/4 cup to your daily meals.
It is important in hormone-related cancer prevention to maintain a balance between unsaturated fats. There are two categories, called omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Often times, omega-6 fatty acids are acquired excessively from a mass use of vegetable oils. Flax seed oil provides a natural and concentrated level of omega-3 fatty acids, but is expensive and rather short life span, so it is recommended to add whole or ground flax seeds to your diet. Breast and prostate tissue are particularly sensitive to fatty acid imbalances. When omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are at healthy levels, they work together to maintain the stability of the body. Studies have also shown that high levels of omega-3 fatty with low levels of omega-6 can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
NBC News featured a story about how aspirin can help reduce the reoccurence of breast cancer by taking aspirin daily. View the video for full news coverage.
As there are nutritious foods, there are also foods to avoid during cancer treatment. Some of these include cheeses, cold cut meats, and other items from the deli counter. You can view a list of other juices, dairy, and raw products in the article, “Food Safety During Cancer Treatment.” Also, general food preparation and recommendations are explained in the article.
In addition to being extra cautious with preparing your meals during cancer treatment, it is important to discuss your diet with your doctor.
We need volunteers in the health industry to participate in our upcoming live chat which will be held once a week starting in March. If you are an oncologist, nurse, nutritionist, fitness, research, etc. and would like to volunteer your time in answering questions for our visitors who are battling with breast cancer, please send us an e-mail.
We are also putting together a series of web videos to provide our visitors information on how to stay healthy, what to do during and after treatment, and feature products that will help women get through the treatment. If you are interested, please e-mail us at info@saverboobies.com. Thank you!
