Early Cancer Detection with Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging

You’ve probably seen video recorded at night showing police chasing a suspect, or soldiers seeking the enemy, or maybe even wildlife agents tracking poachers. In many of these situations what you saw was video from thermal, or “infrared” imagers. Even with absolutely no visible light, these devices allow us to see things merely by the energy they emit or reflect. They are completely passive, meaning they don’t use any projected radiation such as x-rays or ultrasound. Wouldn’t it be great if these wonders could be used in medicine? They can and they are!

While the military were the first to pursue applications for infrared technology, the medical community was not far behind. In fact, did you know that infrared technology has been approved for breast cancer screening by the FDA since 1985? Let me tell you a little about this fascinating technology and why it’s so valuable for breast cancer screening.

Believe it or not, even unwanted structures such as tumors, depend upon the circulatory system. They cannot grow without the same supplies as the rest of our cells. They also need to have their “waste” removed. In order to grow, they send a message to the circulatory system that requests “utility service.”

Blood flowing through our circulatory system causes adjacent tissue to warm. This temperature elevation can actually be “seen” at the surface of the skin through the use of infrared imaging. A tumor requests “service” from the “utility company” when it is still very, very small. Any extra blood flow will generate a “hot spot.”

Navigate Your Health Journey With Good Reading

 

Because Tennessee ranks 39th in overall health of its citizens [according to America’s Health Rankings], we are passionate about educating the community on how to improve their health. I spend time daily reviewing the latest findings from scientific studies related to health and wellness topics to insure that Seasons is always offering the latest and best solutions for pursuing wellness.

Contrary to the belief of many, good health is not something that can be mandated from government or given to you by a physician. Health is a personal journey acheived only through education and self-awareness. At Seasons, our goal is to provide you with the resources you need to improve the health of you and your family.

Here are five books that are easy reads and are rich in good information for your health journey.

Inflammation Nation by Floyd H. Chilton, PhD

Inflammation Nation was written by Dr. Floyd H. Chilton in 2005. While the book goes back a few years, it is still incredibly relevant. Inflammation is one of the primary problems/obstacles to health today. Inflammation, in the short term, is a necessary part of the healing process. When you are cut, the “inflammation” present through redness, pain, and swelling works to protect the body from invasion and to start the process of healing. But the inflammation subsides quickly. However, in some, inflammation rages on and promotes disease.

It would make sense that if something, certain types of food for example, were causing inflammation in our body and ultimately leading to disease, we would want to eliminate the problem, reduce the inflammation and prevent disease, right? Dr. Chilton discusses the immune system and how our diet affects it. The old adage “you are what you eat” definitely applies here.

Inflammation Nation is an easy read and provides many easy recommendations to incorporate into your daily life.

The Wheat Belly by William Davis

The Wheat Belly is written by William Davis. Very rarely do I encounter clients that have not read or heard of this book. This book touches on a growing problem in America and the world today – an adulterated food supply. Not food supply that is adulterated with parasites or bacteria, but that is adulterated from within. What does that mean? In The Wheat Belly, Dr. Davis touches on the fact that the wheat of today is not the wheat our parents ate. Not only is the nutritional value present in wheat lost, but the genetic modification is likely contributing to inflammatory problems.

The problem with genetically modified foods (GMO) is we have limited knowledge of their impact on the body. And the federal government and its agencies have never done a good job of investigating these items before rushing them to market. Just look at the history of environmental toxins such as phthalates, parabenes, and other volatile solvents, all brought to market labeled as safe only to be removed from the market when revealed as seriously dangerous toxins.

This book is also a very easy read and provides easy dietary recommendations to immediately bring positive changes to your health.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer by John R. Lee, M.D., David Zava, Ph.D., and Virginia Hopkins

This was the very first integrative medicine book I read in 2006. This book goes back to several founding people in the integrative medicine movement like Dr. John Lee, an oncologist who led the movement in bioidentical hormones and saliva testing. Dr. Lee was ostracized by the medical community, but his commitment to his patients and to true scientific evidence is an example for all to follow. In fact, Dr. Zava believed in this movement so much that he started a saliva-testing company.

As it relates to breast cancer, there are few more published than Dr. Lee and Dr. Zava. I have met Dr. Zava personally on several occasions, and there are few that I would put above his in both scientific integrity and commitment to true science.

This book lays out a different approach to breast cancer, one focusing on prevention instead of early detection. Traditional medicine focuses instead on early detection and cancer treatment. Don’t get me wrong. We need that, but true prevention is where we should first focus.

The book is deep at points, but is a good discussion of biochemistry and physiology as it relates to breast cancer. Its focus on more natural ways to prevent breast cancer is based on the scientific research. The book clears up much of the misinformation about hormones and breast cancer and equips the reader to be advocate in the prevention of breast cancer.

The book’s authors were unafraid to take on traditional medicine, but do so with a good foundation of science.

The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman

Dr. Hyman is a great proponent of wellness and a pillar in the integrative medicine community. This book, published earlier this year, is an easy weekend read with numerous tools to incorporate into everyday life. The focus of this book is nutrition, sugar, in particular.

Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States. According to CDC data, 13 states now have an obesity rate greater than 30 percent, while in the year 2000, NO states reported obesity rates greater than 30 percent. This book takes the major culprit head-on: diet.

The Blood Sugar Solution delves into diet, insulin, insulin resistance, and a host of other factors contribute to poor health. The book provides many tools to succeed in the “battle of the bulge,” and even includes recipes to help you succeed in your personal health journey.

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Hypertension by Dr. Mark Houston

If you ever have the chance to meet Dr. Mark Houston, you will surely be impressed. Mark Houston, M.D., is Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Director of the Hypertension Institute and Vascular Biology, and Medical Director of the Division of Human Nutrition at Saint Thomas Medical Group, Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

While his list of credentials are a mouth full, to hear him speak will fill your ear! As a cardiologist focused on an integrative approach, there are few that speak so eloquently on the deep biochemical disease found in cardiovascular disease.

While the subject matter might sound intimidating, this book, is a very easy read and focuses on the underlying dynamics of hypertension and associated complications. Dr. Houston defines the problem and lays out solutions with his wildly successful program for treatment of hypertension using an integrative medicine approach.

Dr. Houston also provides a health discussion of hypertension medications, when needed, and the mode of action and side effects of each. This a definite must-read for anyone on hypertension medications. You might just become more informed than your own physician!

While this book is a self-help guide to natural treatments of hypertension, it is based on sound science and the approach has been extremely successful. This book is also heavily referenced, allowing you the option of pursuing deeper learning if desired. This book removes every obstacle to reducing hypertension except you. It’s your job to act on what you read.

The Naturally Healthy Woman: Whole Health for the Whole Woman by Shonda Parker

Yes, I know I said five and this is number six! But this is a very good manual for women and their health. As an OB/Gyn, my first passion was women’s health. The author, Shonda Parker, whom I have met, is a true blessing to know. There are few who have a passion for health that exceeds hers, and she has an ever better spirit. Shonda is a nurse midwife, has authored many books, and speaks nationally on health and other related topics. This book highlights many of the health issues facing women today, and I predict that the edges of this book will become tethered due to your repetitive use after reading it.

As a nurse midwife, the author’s first passion is pregnancy. This book begins by touching and then builds into many other health issues affecting women. The author provides many natural remedies at the end of each section for the different health issues discussed. The book not only provides natural therapies for the mother/wife, but also for the rest of the household.

Every pathway to health is different. Every journey to wellness is unique. At Seasons, our desire for wellness for all begins with education and knowledge for you. I hope that these books will become additions to your library and provide you with the knowledge you need in your personal journey toward wellness.

Thermography Breast Screenings, Sept. 13th!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, September 13th

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Thermography Event, June 21st!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, June 21st

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Thermography Event Set for June 7th!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, June 7th

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Thermography Event, March 22nd!

Join us at Seasons of Farragut for a

Thermography Event

Thursday, March 22nd

10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours.

Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation, and the procedure is painless. It uses Thermography, a process of infrared technology to spot abnormalities in your breasts by measuring temperature variations.

This state-of-the-art DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging)system is able to read functional changes in the breast at the critical point when a tumor begins to receive its own blood supply – before malignant cells have a chance to spread.

According to the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT), researchers have found that “an abnormal thermogram is the single most important marker of high risk for the future development of breast cancer and an abnormal thermogram is ten times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than a first order family history. While X-rays, ultrasound, and mammography show us the structure of the body, they will miss such things as active inflammation and increased blood supply as found in many illnesses. Thermogram Breast Screening has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast cancer up to eight years before mammogram can.”

 

Thermography Quick Facts:

• Thermograms are for men and women.
• 
Quick and painless.
• No exposure to radiation.
• A Thermogram can be performed without an order from a physician.
• You are welcome to bring a companion to be present at the examination.
• 
There are a limited number of appointments for this event, so make your appointment today.
• The fee for the Thermogram is $149. Additional thermograms are available for an additional cost.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted (Insurance will not be filed for this procedure).

Patient Preparation before having a Thermogram:

• Do not have physical therapy or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed.
• Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test.
• Do not use lotions or liniments on the day of the test.
• Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of the test.
• Do not use deodorant on the day of the test.
• No caffeine for 2 hours prior to the test.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication or beta-blockers may affect the test results. Discuss stopping these medications with your doctor prior to doing so.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office: (865) 675-9355.

Breast Cancer: Avoiding The Diagnosis Through Prevention

Hormone Imbalance a Contributing Factor in Breast Cancer

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) increases breast cancer. Have you read headlines like that? Or perhaps you were told that HRT caused someone’s breast cancer.

Do hormones really cause or lead to breast cancer? Think about this: every women continues to produce hormones, even after menopause. So, it cannot be that hormones in and of themselves cause cancer. Scientific evidence indicates thatsynthetic hormones and hormone imbalance do contribute to breast cancer.

The ABC’s of Estrogen.

Estrogen’s effects in the body are regulated through two different kinds of receptors: alpha and beta receptors. Estrogen-alpha receptors stimulate breast cell growth. Estrogen-beta receptors inhibit breast cell growth.

• Estradiol, the most potent estrogen, equally stimulates alpha and beta receptors = growth stable
• Estrone, the second most potent estrogen, stimulates alpha receptors 5:1 over beta receptors = pro growth
• Estriol, the weakest variety of estrogen, actually stimulates beta receptors 3:1 = growth inhibitory

The key element here is balance of hormones. Higher levels of estrone present in your body (produced by fat cells) result in more breast stimulation. Higher levels of estriol present in your body results in less breast cell stimulation and, therefore, breast protection. Estriol = Good. Estrone = Bad. If you have heard of someone developing breast cancer after starting Premarin, there’s a logical explanation for that. Guess what Premarin is loaded with? Premarin contains (48%) estrone (estrone = bad = breast cell stimulation).

Here are some more ugly facts about Premarin, also know as conjugated equine estrogen. Premarin actually decreases estrogen beta receptors. So, if you take Premarin, then you are taking high doses of estrone (estrone = bad) and decreasing your estrogen receptors that inhibit breast cell growth. In a nutshell: you are taking more of the bad estrogen and decreasing your amount of the good estrogen. This equates to a prime set up for breast cancer.  Don’t take my word for it. See the wonderful article by Kent Holtorf.

Progesterone: The Growth-Inhibitor Hormone

The confusion out there about estrogen and breast cancer is bad enough, but the confusion is even greater on the subject of progesterone.

Pregesterone is the key hormone in the second half of a woman’s cycle. Estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of your cycle (estrogen = growth = growth of the uterine lining to support implantation of an egg). The counteractive hormone to this growth phase is progesterone (progesterone = no growth = sloughing off of the uterine lining). It’s the amazing and fascinating way that woman was created.

Synthetic progestins, often prescribed, are NOT the same as the progesterone your body produces. Just look at the structure and you see that they are not. The one thing they do have in common is they both protect the lining of the uterus against excessive estrogen growth. But, that is where the similarities end.

While there are many differences between the two, our focus here will be on the difference in breast cancer potential. Simply stated, synthetic progestins are pro-breast cancer and bioidentical progesterone is breast protective. The Women’s Health Initiative (link) revealed a 26% increase in breast cancer as a result of taking synthetic progestin. The Nurse’s Health Study (link) found that synthetic progestins tripled breast cancer risk over that of estrogen only. The use of Provera, a synthetic progestin and component of Prempro, has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer by 800%!

The statistics for bioidentical progesterone are the opposite. Bioidentical progesterone has many positive breast benefits:

• Progesterone decreases estrogen production
• Progesterone moves estradiol to weaker estrone
• Progesterone moves estrone to inactive (sulfated) form
• Progesterone moves estrone to weakest/safest estriol
• Progesterone down-regulates estrogen receptors all together
• Progesterone activates the cancer protection gene, p53

The idea that progesterone is a safer alternative to synthetic progestins is not new at all.  As early as the early 80’s, there has been a call for safer progesterone over synthetic progestin counterparts. In 1981, nearly 30 years ago, L.D. Cowan showed that just having low progesterone levels increases the risk of premenopausal breast cancer risk 5.4 times.

Unfortunately, progesterone-deficient states, (or estrogen dominance) are very common in women today as a result of many factors: being overweight, PCOS, environmental xenoestrogens, excessive estrogen therapy, and perimenopause. Another study, showed progesterone to have a 400% decreased breast growth rate.

The Scientific Evidence Is Clear.

The evidence in the scientific literature is clear with regards to estrogens, progesterone, and hormone balance.

Bioidentical and synthetic hormones should NOT be used interchangeably. They are not equal. They have very different physiologic effects on the breast:  synthetic progestins (Provera notably) increase breast cancer (800%) and bioidentical progesterone protects against breast cancer (400% decrease breast growth rate).

Estrogen therapy is not for everybody and is definitely not a panacea drug; in fact estrogen dominance is a major contributor to breast cancer risk. But if estrogen therapy is needed, then estriol (Estriol = good) is the best.

Hormone balance is the key. Without estrogen and progesterone balance, a women’s cycles are irregular, and infertility can be a big problem.

You know, once we understand hormones and the balancing cycle between estrogen and progesterone, it makes perfect sense that imbalance would cause breast problems. And the scientific evidence indicates just that. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s time make sure your hormones are balanced and protect yourself from breast cancer.

 

Bioidentical Hormones: What Does The Scientific And Medical Evidence Say?

A young lady came into my office the other day to discuss hormones. She was a breast cancer survivor. Her concern, and rightly so, was her risk of getting breast cancer again. Since she lived in the south (our main office is in Ruston, Louisiana), she had experienced the women’s ritely passage of menopause: “the hysterectomy ceremony.”

Her question to me was: can she take hormones? Years ago, her cancer doctor had placed her on premarin, telling her that it was safe. She also was told that because she had a hysterectomy, progesterone was not necessary. Her gynecologist, in contrast, told her she couldn’t take premarin. Different doctors, different opinions.

I’m not trying to offer a third opinion here. I just want to stay focused on the evidence. That is what evidence-based medicine is all about. Unfortunately, market forces are clouding evidence-based medicine today.

In earlier posts, I’ve talked about progesterone, synthetic progestins and their polar opposite effects on a woman’s breasts. Progesterone lowers risks. Progestin increases risks. I want to get a little more specific today with some information from an outstanding review of the evidence. In Dr. Kent Holtorf January 2009 article, the Bioidentical Hormone Debate, he exhaustively reviewed 196 research articles. (If you aren’t up to reading the full article, you can read an abstract of the review.)

Here is my summary of the risks associated with synthetic progestins:

• increased breast cell growth
• increased conversion of weaker estrogens into more potent estrogens
• promoted the formation of toxic estrogen metabolites (16-hydroxyestrone)
• stimulated the conversion of inactive estrogen to active estrogen (estrone sulfate to estrone)
• had anti-apoptotic effects. (Apoptosis is programmed cell death: which is a way to control cancer growth. Anti-apoptosis means your body lacks this method of controlling cancer growth.).

Contrast this with the benefits of the natural bioidentical hormone progesterone.

• reduced breast cell growth by 400%
• downregulated estrogen receptors in the breast
• induced cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death that helps control cancer growth)
• reduced breast cell division and growth
• and in some studies, progesterone actually arrested human breast cancer cells.

After looking at nearly 200 independent studies, Dr. Kent Holtorf concluded that “Both physiological and clinical data have indicated that progesterone is associated with a diminished risk for breast cancer, compared with the increased risk associated with synthetic progestins.” Studies have shown that synthetic progestins increase the risk of breast cancer:

1. by approximately by 25% for each 5 years of use
2. by triple the risk (67%) of breast cancer when added to estrogen therapy
3. double the risk to 4% per year when compared to estrogen therapy alone.

This is in stark contrast to bio-identical progesterone, which reduces the risk of breast cancer by 10%.

“As far as the east is from the west”—that is how different the effects of progesterone and synthetic progestins are on the breast. Holtorf concludes his article in Postgraduate Medicine with statements like this: “With respect to the risk for breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, substantial scientific and medical evidence demonstrates that bioidentical hormones are safer.”

In my next post, I’ll look at synthetic premarin versus bioidentical hormone estrogen.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Bioidentical Hormone Debate (www.postgradmed.com)
• Abstract: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy? (holtorfmed.com)
• Study: Hormone therapy caused breast cancer for thousands (cnn.com)
• New HRT for Breast Cancer Survivors (www.health.yahoo.com)
• “Prudent” Diet Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk (www.nlm.nih.gov)
• Aspirin Cuts Death Risk After Breast Cancer (www.nlm.nih.gov)
• Aspirin cuts death risk after breast cancer (www.msnbc.msn.com)
• The Smartest Cancer Advice You’ve Ever Heard (www.huffingtonpost.com)

From the Doctor’s Desk: Think Pink — It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I love the change of seasons. I particularly love fall in the South. The oppressive heat of summer gives way to crisp, cool mornings, green leaves give way to brilliant colors, and college football returns.  But, October is even more special than that. October brings attention to one of the greatest fears of women — breast cancer.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

There is much to be excited about in the arena of breast cancer treatment. Earlier detection, minimally invasive surgery, and high survival rates head the list. Credit needs to be given to the great work of many organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and many researchers and physicians around the world.

But, breast cancer has not given up.

Let’s look specifically at the most current statistics of breast cancer. The lifetime probability of women developing breast cancer (2003-2005) is 1 in 8.  That amounts to about 185,000 women annually. Breast cancer accounts for 27% of all cancers in women. Breast cancer accounts for 15% of all cancer deaths in women and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in women — only surpassed by lung cancer.

The statistics are not all bad. Breast cancer has decreased by 27% from 1990 to 2005. Five-year breast cancer survival rates are improving — 91% for Caucasian women and 78% for African-American women.

Weight contributes to breast cancer risk. Since 1960, the percentage of obesity has risen from 16% to 36% (2006). That means that 1/3 of the female population is obese. What a disturbing trend! And even worse, the trend of breast cancer has paralleled the obesity trend in women.

Here are the current Screening Guidelines:

• Yearly mammograms starting at age 40
• Clinical breast exam every 3 years for women in their 20’s and 30’s; annually after 40
• Self breast exams should begin in early 20’s

The focus in breast cancer today is on early detection and treatment.  At Seasons, we want to focus on prevention. Why ever let the cancer develop in the first place. Follow us over the next couple of weeks as we focus on how.

Next Page »