Breast Cancer and YOU


    Breast Cancer and YOU - Suggestions From Other Breast Cancer Victims and Survivors on How to Fight

    By Hollis Holloway

    It's one thing to hear and read about those victims of breast cancer in which some survived, whereas others died. However, when it hit home, let's say a close family member or friend, it's a different ball game.

    I took the initiative to contact my sister, a breast cancer survivor to chat with her about her cancer ordeal. But, before we go there, let me share this with you:

    Taking a Closer Look at Cancer

    Few words cast as much fear over your head as being told by your doctor that you have 'cancer.' Are you aware that there are more than one hundred types are known, of varying levels of aggression? Many are treatable and even curable.

    But check this out, cancer is still the second greatest cause of death in North America. Now this is staggering, one third of Americans will die of some form of cancer. Be alarmed, but not alarmed.

    Here's a sobering thought, many cancers can be prevented through the threefold regimen of diet, avoidance of carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) and reinforced bodily defenses.

    Certain environmental carcinogens will predictably initiate cancerous growth, including a variety of chemicals and high radiation levels.

    The American Cancer Society makes the following suggestions to minimize the risk of cancer:

    • Maintain appropriate body weight.
    • Eat a varied diet(include daily fruits and veggies)
    • Eat more high-fiber foods(whole grain, cereals etc)
    • Cut down on total fat intake and limit consumption of alcoholic beverages, salt-cured and smoked foods.

    What Are Some Therapeutic Possibilities?

    Chemotherapy and/or Radiation can help in the removal of a cancer tumor, but both procedures inflict great damage to the normal cells and well as the cancerous cells.

    Chemotherapy is a controlled poisoning of the patient based on the idea that these growing cancer cells are more sensitive to the poison than are normal cells. However, there are in many cases unpleasant side effects.

    Radiation therapy works in a similar way. The cancerous is targeted and bombarded with radiation. The tumor is theoretically more sensitive to the radiation than the surrounding healthy tissue, but still severe side effects.

    Glutathione (GSH) therapy in recent experiments showed promising results. The GSH content of both the normal and cancerous cells makes them more or less susceptible to damage. High levels of GSH clearly help protect cells from chemotherapy, low levels makes them vulnerable.

    However, tumor cells that are high in GSH usually show resistance to chemotherapy, so there have been some efforts to reduce GSH levels in cancer cells with a drug like BSO. The trouble is that the drug BSO reduces the GSH levels in normal cells.

    McGill University researchers, Dr. Baruchel, Batist and their team in Montreal later worked with Dr. Gustavo Bounous to published similar results in the journal Cancer Research, using a patented whey protein isolate.

    This six month study using this whey protein isolate, resulted in tumor regression or stabilization. The same researchers showed that elevated GSH levels may enhance the anti-cancer action of certain chemotherapeutic agents.

    They Were Breast Cancer Victims Before They Were Survivors

    Now back to my sister. I asked her to share some thoughts that we could pass on, so the conversation went like this:

    Interviewer: Tish, when were you first diagnosis with breast cancer? Tish: 1998

    Interviewer: What were your first concern? Tish: What stage was the cancer.

    Interviewer: What were your main concern? Tish: How it would affect my family.

    Interviewer: What were your fears? Tish: Whether or not it would be necessary to remove one breast or both.

    Interviewer: What options came to your mind? Tish: What to do after the surgery.

    Interviewer: Did you have the surgery and what the outcome? Tish: Surgery was successful, chemo and radiation was not necessary because the tumor was on the top of the breast and did not spread anywhere else.

    Interviewer: What advice do you have for breast cancer victims? Tish: Do your random MRI's- exercise regularly take vitamin E and avoid caffeine.

    This interview opened my eyes to some details that I readily shared with my wife. FYI, my sister is doing well, thanks.

    A Breast Cancer Survivor Takes This Thing A Little Further

    I want you to know that I recently attended a Educational Health Fair sponsored by a breast cancer survivor whose relentless determination along with support from her doctor and family gave her the strength needed to succeed.

    She harnessed that strong will and started a breast cancer foundation. I arranged to meet with her and her husband to see if I could share her story with others.

    Her name is Jackie G. of Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

    Interviewer: When were you first diagnosis with cancer? Jackie: January 2007

    Interviewer: What were your first concern? Jackie: Whether or not I would live or die.

    Interviewer: What were your fears? Jackie: Whether or not the cancer had metastasis. You see, breast cancer spreads first to the brain and the liver.

    Interviewer: What options came to mind? Jackie: Holistic medicine, chemo and radiation.

    Interviewer: Did you have surgery? Jackie: Yes, along with therapy treatments, which made me very sick.

    Interviewer: What advice do you have for breast victim? Jackie: Listen to your doctor, listen to your body, don't get depressed, get affiliated with a good support system, make all doctors appointment.

    Interviewer: Jackie, what have this experience with breast cancer moved you to do? Jackie: In November 2007, my husband and I started a Breast Cancer Foundation. We promote regular examination, early detection and offer aggressive treatments. In a nut shell, a We Care Awareness Program.

    Breast cancer survivors are fighters. They may be a victim initially because of not knowing what to do or expect. Women the world over are waging this battle. Science and medicine provides treatments that has proven helpful. Determination and will power by these victims makes them survivors.

    Hollis Holloway is a Independent Marketing and Wellness Consultant. Hollis educate the public on Glutathione (GSH) and his unique role in addressing health challenges.

    For More Information on Woman2Woman Breast Cancer Foundation go to http://www.w2wbcf.org/

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hollis_Holloway
    http://EzineArticles.com/?Breast-Cancer-and-YOU---Suggestions-From-Other-Breast-Cancer-Victims-and-Survivors-on-How-to-Fight&id=2705154

    Breast Cancer Survival Links:

    Posted in , , , ,

    By Demulen Wednesday, November 11, 2009