Why is Terri Traveling Around the World?

I asked Terri to explain:

First of all, I’m doing the groundwork for my new non-profit organization, “Fresh Chapter Foundation,” which will help cancer fighters and survivors volunteer internationally. Since I did this myself after finishing breast cancer treatments and experienced firsthand the way it changed my life, I’m convinced other fighters and survivors will benefit as well.

How does volunteering abroad help?

Getting away where you have the opportunity to care for others instead of having to be cared for gives you a good dose of perspective. When we see people who struggle to feed their families and have no access to basic healthcare, it reminds us how lucky we are to have the opportunity to rebuild our lives in North America. It also introduces us to other volunteers and survivors who have no expectations for us to “get back to normal,” which gives us the space we need to really recover. Best of all, it gives us a chance to write a new story for our lives about something other than cancer.

Why is Terri on This Adventure of Hope?

This six-month, five-continent trip will lay the groundwork for the future Fresh Chapter Foundation by giving me the chance to fully review seven different international volunteer organizations and form long-term partnerships with only those companies who have ethical volunteer practices, extensive in-country support, and excellent safety records.

My dream for the Fresh Chapter Foundation is to help hundreds (if not thousands) of cancer survivors select, fundraise, and prepare for their own international volunteer trips. As more survivors join me on the road, I hope to start a movement of adventure after cancer, of service to our brothers and sisters around the world, of cultural exchange and understanding, and most importantly, of walking through our fears and writing a new story for our future.

What Has Terri Experienced So Far?

Terri’s has completed about half her planned trip. What has she experienced so far?

Since I left Canada two months ago, I’ve volunteered at a playgroup for children with cancer in Vietnam, and fed, nurtured, and shared time with physically and mentally challenged women at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying and the Destitute in India.

Over the next four months, I’ll support children at an orphanage in Rwanda, share ideas with a breast cancer support group in Tanzania, speak English to Spanish business people in Madrid, volunteer at an orphanage in Cusco, work at a water filtration plant in Peru, and teach English to children at an under-funded after-school support program in Costa Rica. I’ll then share these experiences on my new Fresh Chapter website to help other survivors select the best volunteer program to meet their needs for healing.

Terri Needs Your Help with the African Portion of Her Trip!

Terri’s birthday is coming up on March 22^nd. On March 13th, she flies to Rwanda and will spend her birthday volunteering with kids at an orphanage outside of the capital city of Kigali. She told me she can’t think of a better way to celebrate! Next, she’ll travel to Tanzania to volunteer at the only oncology hospital there.

Although she’s booked her flights in and out of Africa on her own frequent flyer points, she still needs help. I personally want the Fresh Chapter Foundation to become a reality, so I would like to help Terri with the funds for this portion of her trip. Would you join me in donating $25 or more? (See below to see where the funds will go.) You’ll be entered in a drawing for a luxury safe-self-care basket of goodies, valued at $190! My good friend Michelle Witherby at O & N Collective and CV Skinlabs (my new skincare line launching March 15th) have donated the products.

Terri’s upcoming expenses:

How You Can Donate—and Enter Our Drawing for FREE Safe Self-Care Products

To enter our drawing, please donate $25 or more by clicking here. After you’ve made your donation, please leave a comment below this blog post stating:

1. You’ve donated! (You don’t have to specify the amount.)
2. Where you’d like your money to go. Please choose one:
• Terri’s flights,
• Terri’s accommodations, or
• Terri’s other expenses, such as food and ground transportation.

We’ll then enter your name in the drawing to win the following—donated by Michelle Witherby at O&N Collective (follow her on Twitter @organicconetssa), Cinco Vidas, and CV Skinlabs (launching March 15th)

Luxury self-care package (valued at $190)

• Autographed copy of When Cancer Hits
• Neom Home Candle—natural,non-toxic, and free if synthetic fragrances
• CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture
• Neom Organic Room Mist
• CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray

Please hurry! Our drawing closes March 21^st at 12 midnight EST. The winner will be announced on March 22^nd—Terri’s birthday!

And if you want to help get the word out, please share our mission on Facebook and Twitter with your followers and readers!

Thank you all so much! I feel so inspired helping Terri, and I know together, we can make this happen!

I want to tell you about one very brave and incredibly inspiring woman (and a dear friend) who’s doing something truly unique to rediscover herself: She’s traveling around the world to volunteer. That’s right. To help others, and thereby help herself.

Cancer is Over, but Things Aren’t the Same

I met Terri Wingham through Twitter, and then I was able to meet with her face-to-face in New York City. I fell in love with her heart and her passion and we have been in touch ever since. She’s a breast cancer survivor from my hometown in Vancouver, and fought bravely through a double mastectomy and follow-up treatments. But one of the hardest parts of the process was adjusting once treatments were over.

“I never expected how hard it would be to pick up the pieces of my pre-cancer life and move forward after treatment ended,” she said. “I could tell that everyone else was excited for my cancer to be over, so they could finally move on with their lives. But I hated that cancer would never be over for me. Friends and family wanted the pre-cancer Terri to come back, but I felt like that person no longer existed.”

Healing Through Helping

Like me, Terri received little advice on resources that might help her transition from patient to survivor. Left on her own to figure it out, she decided to leave her job and volunteer in Africa for six weeks. The trip changed her life.

“Spending time in a third world country helped me see my life more clearly,” she writes on her blog. “I returned from Africa happier, calmer, and more focused on finding meaning in my life.”

A New Dream

After her trip to Africa, Terri gave up her apartment in Vancouver, lent or gave away almost all of her wordly possessions, and took a trip around the U.S. to spread awareness about the challenges of the post-treatment transition. When she finished, she had a new dream: Create a not-for-profit organization to help other cancer survivors find healing through helping others overseas.

To jump-start her organization, Terri has committed to a “volunteer trip around the world.” She will volunteer “on almost every continent as a way to generate awareness of the challenges of survivorship and build partnerships with the best volunteer companies in the industry.”

Some of Terri’s stops will involve helping cancer patients, and some will involve teaching women business skills or helping with a wildlife conservation project. The point is to help, wherever that help is needed.

“These experiences will provide the framework for the future ‘Fresh Chapter Foundation’ by introducing me to some of the safest, most ethical, and easiest to work with volunteer organizations in the industry,” Terri says. “This insight means I can help fellow cancer warriors move through the often difficult transition from patient to survivor by helping to fund international volunteer trips for them.”

Terri Needs Your Help

Terri has already set off on her trip, but she still needs help. Volunteer organizations like GO Overseas and CLOUD Inc. are already supporting her, and she has reached a little bit over half her fundraising goals. Her trip will go from January to June and will cover such locations as Vietnam, India, Rwanda, Spain, Peru, and Costa Rica.

If you’d like to help, you can donate on this link. You may also visit her website called “A Fresh Chapter” where you can read more about her journey and sign up for her email updates from around the world.

I know that volunteering has always helped me to put things in a new perspective, and has brought new energy and vitality into my life. Whether it’s through Terri’s organization, or another of your choosing, if you’re struggling with your post-cancer experience, try volunteering. You may be surprised.

Please consider donating to Terri’s cause. Every little bit helps! And who knows—one day you may want to go through her foundation to volunteer overseas. Click here to donate.

What Researchers Found

The first is bisphenol A (BPA), that hardening chemical used to make plastics that I’ve talked about in several previous posts. It’s in our water bottles and our canned foods and on shopping receipts and some of our children’s toys and has been linked with certain cancers and developmental problems in children. In the study, the scientists took noncancerous breast cells from high-risk patients, grew them in the lab, then exposed them to BPA. After the exposure, the noncancerous cells started acting like cancer cells. The researchers felt the study provided additional evidence that chemicals that act as estrogen-disruptors (like BPA) may play a role in the development of breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is designed to slow the growth of breast cancer cells and ultimately cause their death, but when it was introduced to the chemical-exposed cells, they were not affected and kept growing.

The same thing happened when the cells were exposed to methylparaben, a type of preservative commonly used in thousands of personal care products. When the non-cancerous cells were exposed to methylparaben, they started acting like cancerous cells, and did not slow down when exposed to Tamoxifen. What was especially disconcerting was that these two hormone-disrupting chemicals were found to be even better at blocking Tamoxifen’s effectiveness than naturally produced estrogen.

Researchers Comment on the Findings

According to Dr. William Goodson, lead author of the study, “Since most breast cancers are driven by the hormone estrogen, the bulk of the drugs used to treat breast cancer are designed to knock down estrogen. BPA and methyparaben not only mimic estrogen’s ability to drive cancer, but appear to be even better than the natural hormone in bypassing the ability of drugs to treat it.”

Dr. Mhel Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the California Breast Cancer Research Program, added, “We have a lot of information that makes these endocrine disruptors appear to be bad things to be exposed to, but there are very few, if any, studies that show a direct causal link.”

What Women Can Do

The takeaway from this study, as far as I can tell, is to stay away from these two chemicals as much as possible. They’re very widely used, so you may not be able to completely eliminate them from your life, but you can definitely cut down your exposure. Try these tips, and if you’re on Tamoxifen or other treatments for breast cancer, be especially careful!

• Use a stainless steel water bottle and stay away from plastic water bottles.
• Buy frozen, boxed, and glass-stored foods instead of those in cans. Some companies are going “BPA-free,” so check the labels on your favorite canned goods.
• Don’t microwave in plastic containers, especially old ones that have been exposed to high temps several times. Use glass and porcelain containers instead.
• Always wash your hands before eating.
• Take my Ingredients to Avoid list with you when you shop for personal care products, and avoid those that have “paraben” in the ingredient list, whether it’s methylparaben or other types of parabens.

What do you think about this study? Will you be changing your habits?

Sources

William H. Goodson, et al., “Activation of the mTOR Pathway by Low Levels of Xenoestrogens in Breast Epithelial Cells from High-Risk Women,” Carcinogenesis 32(11): 1724-1733 (November 2011). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3204351/.

Photo courtesy Terra Nova Foundation via Flickr.com.

Their representative wanted my help in spreading the word about “Promise Me,” the pink perfume released earlier this year by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation’s largest breast cancer foundation. The bottle has a pink glow and a pink ribbon, but as I mentioned before, it also has several potentially harmful chemicals, including synthetic fragrance, benzyl salicylate, and oxybenzone.

More Chemicals Than We Thought

What I learned from BCAction is that the perfume apparently contains even more chemicals than I thought—chemicals not listed on the ingredient deck. The organization performed an independent chemical analysis of the perfume, and found a number of chemicals not listed on the packaging. Two of the most serious were:

• Galaxolide (HHCB): a synthetic musk, this ingredient has weak estrogenic activity, meaning that it has the capability of disrupting hormones.¹ In an Environmental Working Group study, researchers found that 7 out of the 10 babies tested had galaxolide or another synthetic musk (tonalide) in their blood.² Studies in the 1990s also indicated that these types of musks may break down the body’s defenses against other toxic exposures.³
• Toluene: a liquid hydrocarbon present in coal tar and petroleum, toluene is used as a solvent in products, as well as an ingredient in degreasers, lacquers, glues, and nail polishes. It’s one of my ingredients to avoid because of its potential harmful health effects. Inhalation can cause hearing and color vision loss, memory loss, light-headedness, nausea, eye and nose irritation, and tiredness. Toluene may also harm an unborn fetus.

Komen’s Reaction

BCAction contacted Komen about theses results, asking them to pull the product from the shelves. They didn’t agree to do that, stating that their research concluded the product did not elevate risk of breast cancer in humans, but they did agree to reformulate to “remove any doubt about the ingredients.” The original perfume has been discontinued, and a new one is due out in early 2012. Bottles of the old one are still available for sale, however.

Whether or not the new perfume will be safer than the old, we don’t know. The problem is that some of these questionable ingredients are still used by companies because they believe that the small amounts present in the formulation present no danger. That may be true, but we’re lacking studies on the cumulative results of daily exposure, and that’s what concerns me. Studies have shown these ingredients can remain in our bodies for unknown periods of time. Why take the risk? Why include these ingredients in a product specifically made for those who’ve been touched by breast cancer and are potentially even more susceptible to harm from toxic exposure?

The Pinkwashing Point

Think Before You Pink also points out that this product is a pink product, meant to pull on our heartstrings along with our pocketbooks so that we’ll buy more to support breast cancer research. That makes it even more disturbing that this product contains potentially harmful ingredients. As such, it’s become a part of “pinkwashing“—the practice of producing products for breast cancer that could potentially be harmful for those with breast cancer.

You can help me do something about it by joining BCAction’s “Raise a Stink!” movement to urge Komen to immediately recall Promise Me, and to pledge to prevent pinkwashing in the future. Go to BCAction’s “Take Action” center and add your letter to those that have already been sent on this issue.

Together, our voices are powerful!

Did you participate in BCAction’s “Take Action” campaign? Please share your thoughts.

Sources

1. Seinen W, Lemmen JG, Pieters RH, Verbruggen EM, Van der Burg B. (1999). AHTN and HHCB show weak estrogenic but no uterotrophic activity. Toxicol. Lett. 111, 161–168.
2. Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2009. Pollution in Minority Newborns. Available: http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood.
3. Luckenbach, Till; Epel, David (January 2005). “Nitromusk and Polycyclic Musk Compounds as Long-Term Inhibitors of Cellular Xenobiotic Defense Systems Mediated by Multidrug Transporters.” Environmental Health Perspectives 113 (1): 17–24.

Study Details

Granted, most of us aren’t exposed to the levels of pesticides that these study participants were. Researchers from the University of Sterling in Scotland studied over 1,000 Canadian women, half of whom had already been diagnosed with breast cancer. They found that those women who had the disease were nearly three times as likely to have worked on a farm, especially when they were teenagers.

The authors of the study speculated that toxic pesticides and other farm chemicals could be responsible for initiating changes in women’s breasts that would eventually lead to cancer. Developing breast tissue is particularly vulnerable to toxic exposure.

Cancer Related to Your Career?

Andrew Watterson, one of the study researchers, added that roughly four percent of all cancers are related to a woman’s occupation. He found that the risk of breast cancer was highest in women who worked or lived on farms during adolescence, then went on to work in the auto or health industries. Chemicals from all of these occupations, including radiation, drugs, anesthetic waste gas, pesticides, and solvents, could be linked to cancer.

Other Scientists are Skeptical

Other scientists aren’t so sure about this study. Some say there were too few participants for the results to carry too much weight. Meanwhile there are many other factors that can contribute to cancer risk, including smoking, weight gain, heredity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and stress.

This isn’t the first study to make this sort of connection, however. Research by R. H. Allen and colleagues discussed breast cancer patterns in Hawaii as they related to toxin exposure, and Teitelbaum and colleagues found that residential pesticides may also increase cancer risk. More studies need to be done, but it seems science is finally paying attention to what we suspected all along—that these chemicals are just not good for us.

Reduce Your Exposure to Pesticides

What can you do to reduce your exposure to pesticides? Try these few tips, and realize that people who are involved in occupations exposing them to chemicals are far more at risk than those who aren’t. Every little bit helps, however, in living your healthiest life possible!

• Buy organic, particularly for foods you don’t peel like apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, pears, greens, and tomatoes. Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Try to get rid of pests without chemicals. Block openings under doors and around vents, and keep your house clean and free of areas where pests can find food and water.
• Avoid pesticides in your home, and buy non-toxic deterrents instead. If you must use a pesticide, protect yourself with gloves and a mask.
• Take your shoes off before you enter the house. Chemical residues tracked in on the bottom of your shoes can last for years in carpeting.

How do you reduce your exposure to pesticides? Please share your tips.

Sources:

• R. H. Allen, “Breast Cancer And Pesticides in Hawaii: the Need for Further Study,” Environmental Health Perspectives, (1997) April (105, Suppl 3): 679-683.
• Susan L. Teitelbaum, et al., “Reported Residential Pesticide Use and Breast Cancer Risk on Long Island, New York,” Am. J. Epidemiol (2007) 165(6): 643-651.

Photo courtesy CHS Inc via Flickr.com.

I think this says a lot for our country, that we’re all so willing to help eradicate pain and suffering. Most of us have been touched by breast cancer in some way, after all. But are all those pink products really helping us make progress on this disease?

Watch Where Your Money is Going

What I want to remind everyone of is to be careful where you put your hard-earned money. Companies may say that they’re donating a certain percentage of each purchase, but many actually stop after a certain amount, say $10,000. When they reach their quota they seldom tell consumers, who continue to buy thinking their money is going toward a good cause.

Another question many people are asking is—are all these events and campaigns really getting us anywhere? It’s true that we’ve seen advances in care for breast cancer, including new drugs, digital mammography, and the discovery of genetic markers for the disease. But when companies spend thousands on walks, races, rallies, marketing campaigns, and more, how much good does that actually do research?

The unfortunate truth is that for some businesses, October Breast Cancer Awareness month is just another way to make money. “There’s a lot of deception that goes on with breast cancer groups,” said Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy.

An Unbalanced Approach to Disease

Some people also feel that with so much attention paid to pink profits, other diseases get shortchanged. Pinkwashing and pink ribbons have taken over in many ways, and it seems as if people aren’t paying as much attention to other serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, the number-one killer in this nation.

The best approach to really make sure your dollars are going to breast cancer research is to follow these tips:

1. If you want to make a pink purchase, find out where the money is going, and be sure you’re buying from a reputable business.
2. Better yet, go to websites like the Breast Cancer.org or the American Cancer Society and make a direct donation.
3. Volunteer at your local breast cancer organization.

In this economy, donation dollars are scarce and you want to know that if you’re choosing to donate X amount of money, it’s going where you want it to go.

Of course, I also need to remind everyone—if you’re buying pink personal care products, check the ingredient list. Many of these products that claim to support breast cancer actually contain potentially carcinogenic ingredients. It doesn’t make sense. We must educate ourselves in a world where everyone is competing for our dollars, especially where a pink ribbon is used to get our attention.

What do you think of October pinkwashing? How will you use your donation dollars?

Sources:

Lea Goldman, “The Big Business of Breast Cancer,” Marie Claire September 14, 2011. http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/breast-cancer-business-scams-3

Photo courtesy Milton Leite via Flickr.com.

The problem with these types of pains is that regular over-the-counter painkillers may not help much. If the pain continues day after day, it can severely restrict a person’s regular activity, and contribute to depression and low spirits—definitely not good for healing.

If you’re going through something like this, you may want to talk to your doctor about vitamin D. A new study published just this year looked at breast cancer patients who were taking estrogen-lowering drugs to shrink their tumors, as these drugs can cause pain and stiffness in the hands, wrists, knees, hips, lower back, shoulders and feet. In fact, about half the patients taking these drugs (called aromatase inhibitors) experience these difficult side effects, and they can become so painful that the patient refuses to take the drug anymore.

Scientists recruited 60 patients who were taking anastrazole (brand name Arimidex) and were experiencing joint pain, and gave half of them the recommended daily dose of vitamin D (400 IU) plus a high dose vitamin D capsule once a week. The other half got a daily dose of 400 IU plus a weekly placebo (sugar pill). All patients also received 1,000 mg of calcium daily.

Results showed that the patients who received the high-dose vitamin D every week reported significantly less joint and muscle pain, and were also less likely to experience pain that interfered with daily living.

“Patients who get the vitmamin D weekly feel better because their pain is reduced and sometimes goes away completely,” said Antonella L. Rastelli, M.D., lead author of the study. He added that breast cancer patients taking other similar drugs may also benefit from high-dose vitamin D.

Now the scientists want to follow up to figure out the safest approach to supplementing with vitamin D in breast cancer patients. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so too much can cause high levels of calcium in the urine, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. Otherwise, however, as long as the patients are monitored by their doctors, the researchers feel the supplementation appears to be safe, as vitamin D is non toxic, and doesn’t cause major side effects.

This is an early study, so I advise caution. Considering the results and the safety of vitamin D, however, you may want to talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing a lot of pain. Anything that can help is worth a try, as the most important thing is that you make it through your treatment feeling as strong as possible.

What do you think of this study? Are you going to talk to your doctor about vitamin D?

Source

Washington University School of Medicine. “Vitamin D relieves joint, muscle pain for breast cancer patients.” ScienceDaily, 26 Jul. 2011. Web. 9 Sep. 2011.

Photo courtesy colindunn via Flickr.com.

My good friend and colleague Morag Currin recently told me about a wonderful program in Colorado. I couldn’t wait to share it with Cinco Vidas readers.

If you happen to be planning a wedding and your life has been touched by breast cancer, you could win the wedding of your dreams, completely free of charge! Cheryl Ungar, professional wedding photographer and founder of the non-profit organization “Cheryl Ungar Gives,” was diagnosed with breast cancer as a young woman. Today, 20 years a survivor, she has devised a way to give back to the cancer community that meant so much to her—by donating a dream wedding to one special couple a year.

She started it all in 2010, gathering vendors willing to donate their services and opening the door to submissions. In August, Melissa and Jeff were chosen as the winners, Melissa having recently survived breast cancer herself with Jeff’s enduring support. Eight months later, the couple enjoyed a gorgeous $30,000 wedding in Vail, Colorado, complete with wedding planner, venue, wedding cake, flowers, music, and everything else you’d expect—at absolutely no cost to them.

“The Wedding Pink is a wedding givaway,” wrote Melissa following the event, “but it has proven to be so much more than that. As Jeff and I started meeting Cheryl and the other vendors, we quickly realized that the people involved were our angels. Absolutely everyone we met was so caring and willing to help, out of the goodness of their hearts. I believe Jeff and I have made lifelong friends from this event.”

After enduring chemotherapy and grueling surgeries, Melissa felt particularly blessed to win The Wedding Pink. It took the financial burden off her and Jeff’s shoulders, freeing them and their families to just enjoy the experience. “Cancer takes a toll on the patient, but it is also a huge burden for the friends and family members involved,” Melissa wrote. “The Wedding Pink was really a gift to everyone who knows me.”

Cheryl loved the experience as well, and told Channel 7, KMGH-TV in Denver that Jeff and Melissa’s wedding “is as much of a gift to me as it is a gift to them.” She took many pictures, posted several on her website, and now is excited about the second wedding giveaway already underway. Severel vendors have already signed on, and plans are for the 2012 event to be held in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

“If you happen to know an engaged or soon-to-be engaged couple whose lives have been recently touched by breast cancer,” Cheryl says on her site, “please forward the information along.”

Submissions are open between July 1–August 15, 2011. Simply go to Cheryl’s submissions page for more information on how to enter. And remember—though the bride-to-be may be the one touched by cancer, submissions are also open for those couples where the groom or the extended family were the ones who experienced it. As Cheryl says, the wedding giveaways are meant to do something nice for those who have experienced a difficult time with this disease in their lives.

“Next year’s wedding will not disappoint,” Cheryl writes. “We are in the process of securing an amazing team of vendors.”

Will you try to win the Wedding Pink? If you enter, keep us posted! See Cheryl’s website at Cheryl Ungar Gives.

Photo courtesy Cheryl Ungar Gives.

I’m here to warn you to be careful.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, founded by Nancy G. Brinker, has done a lot to raise awareness about breast cancer over the years. I’ve admired their dedication to fund-raising activities and to getting helpful information out to the newly diagnosed. Their recent money-raising endeavor, however, severely disappoints me.

Recently, the organization teamed up with consumer products and distribution company TPR Holdings LLC to develop and launch a new product line called “Promise Me,” a proprietary fragrance. The website calls it “the scent of inspiration,” and offers a floral fragrance, a lighter combination fragrance, and two gift sets that include perfume, body wash, shower gel, body lotion, and even a keepsake bracelet. With each of the gift sets you get a free copy of the book Promise Me, which tells the story of the two sisters on which the “non-profit” organization was founded.

This all sounds great at first blush, but there are a few things going on here that steal a bit of the sheen from the glass bottle. First, these products are not cheap. We’re talking $59 for one bottle of perfume, $65 for one of the gift sets. Now I don’t have access to the company’s ledger sheets, but I do know Komen is getting only 13.5 percent of the proceeds. Thirteen-and-a-half percent of $59 is $7.97. Not a lot. Then you have to consider that a good chunk of that money goes to the organization’s expenses (uneasypink.com estimates 90 percent!), so that leaves even less going to research. Not much of a bargain for those more interested in finding a cure for breast cancer than in trying a new fragrance.

Here’s what upsets me the most. This is perfume. Not organic fragrance. Not something safe for those touched by cancer (or anyone, really). Not something nice for people going through chemotherapy who often become very chemically sensitive. Regular good-old chemical-based fragrance. It’s supposed to evoke positive energy, hope, and love, but what I’m afraid of is it will evoke more toxic overload in those unfortunate bodies assaulted with it.

The website lists top notes of mandarin, bergamot, and blood orange, and mid notes of pink peony, rosewood, and wild orchid. All lovely sounding, but let’s look at the ingredient list. The Promise Me website doesn’t list it, but fortunately the HSN shopping page does:

Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Benzophenone-3, Citonellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Citral, Ci 17200 (Red 33), Ci 60730 (Violet 2).

Doesn’t sound so pretty, does it? Kim Irish at Think Before You Pink points out that coumarin is rated a moderate hazard on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, with limited evidence of carcinogenic activity in animal studies. Benzyl salicylate is classified as toxic to aquatic environments. Benzophenone-3, or oxybenzone as it’s otherwise known, can increase photosensitivity, create free radicals in the skin that can attack DNA, and has been linked to eczema. It’s known to penetrate the skin and accumulate in the body, and some studies have linked oxybenzone in sunscreens to a possible increased risk of malignant skin cancer. Butylphenyl methylpropional has been shown to cause irritation and allergic reactions in many people.

This is enough to make me just shake my head. Why would an organization as large and visible as Komen put out a perfume like this, with potential carcinogens, dyes, and let’s not forget the mysterious “fragrance” item, which of course could hide all sorts of additional potentially toxic chemicals protected by trade secret. Maybe selling safe, enjoyable products for money that goes toward genuine cancer research could be a good idea, but this product isn’t safe, and very little money is going to research.

What do you think of this latest move by Susan Komen for the Cure? Please share your thoughts.

Here’s what happened: Scientists surveyed over 35,000 postmenopausal women, and found that those who said they regularly used fish oil supplements were one-third less likely than non-users to get the most common form of breast cancer over the next six years. Even with known risk factors like older age and obesity taken into account, the lower risk was still there.

As usual, the scientists urge caution, and stress that the study doesn’t really show cause and effect. In other words, we can’t assume that the fish oil prevented the cancer. “Supplement users may have healthier lifestyles,” said lead author Emily White. “Or they may have other underlying health conditions.” However, the results are interesting enough that Harvard scientists are moving ahead with a clinical trial where participants will take fish oil or a placebo, and see what happens.

Regardless of whether or not fish oil helps reduce risk of cancer, we know for sure that it’s a good source of those “healthy fats” known as omega-3 fatty acids. These are the same healthy fats that have shown to help lower levels of triglycerides in the blood, and even help lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week, and suggests those with coronary artery disease talk to their doctor about supplements.

What’s also interesting about this study is that some of the other supplements the researchers tracked, like soy, black cohosh, dong quai, St. John’s wort, grapeseed, garlic, and ginseng had no affect on breast cancer risk. This was actually surprising to the scientists, as they suspected that supplements high in antioxidants would play a bigger role in cancer prevention. Instead, it was fish oil—predominantly an anti-inflammatory—that did the job. Researchers theorize that prolonged inflammation inside the body can increase the risk of cells becoming cancerous—thereby making an anti-inflammatory like fish oil really helpful.

If you want to get your dose of good omega 3s, eat two servings of fish a week, and consider supplements. Just be sure to do your research and buy from a reputable manufacturer, so you’re sure you’re getting the good stuff. You’ve got nothing to lose!

Do you take fish oil supplements? Please share your thoughts.

Photo courtesy DEstranger via Flickr.com.

Published in the Journal of Environmental Health, the study involved more than 1,500 women. Dr. Julia Brody, from the Silent Spring Institute, and her team questioned 787 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 721 who didn’t have cancer about their cleaning habits. They found that overall, those who used a combination of cleaning products were up to 110 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than those who rarely used them. The biggest culprits? Solid air fresheners and mold-and-mildew-control products—particularly when the air fresheners were regularly replaced, and the mold-and-mildew cleaners used more than once a week, which seemed to double cancer risk.

Researchers caution that though the study is concerning, there could be other explanations for the connection. Because participants reported on their own experiences, data could be biased based on personal beliefs or mistakes in recall—particularly because women diagnosed with breast cancer often try to think about what happened in the past that might have caused it, and may overestimate their use of cleaning products. However, as the researchers write, “Because exposure to chemicals from household cleaning products is a biologically plausible cause of breast cancer and avoidable, associations reported here should be further examined prospectively.”

As you might expect, the American Cleaning Institute says this study goes too far in its conclusions. “Simply put,” they write, “this research is rife with innuendo and speculation about the safety of cleaning products and their ingredients….Unfortunately, this work sheds little light on the real causes of breast cancer.”

This isn’t the first study to talk about dangerous ingredients in household cleaners, however. For example, in 2006, University of California, Berkeley researchers found that when used indoors under certain conditions, many common household cleaners and air fresheners emit toxic pollutants at levels that may lead to health risks.

In addition to mildew removers, other particularly toxic cleansers include corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners. These can cause irritation and burning on the skin, in the eyes, and in the throat. Some produce fumes that can be inhaled, and many contain fragrances that can cause headaches, sneezing, and watery eyes, to say the least.

To lower your risk of exposure to toxic chemicals in cleaners, when cleaning, open windows; use non-toxic, green products that contain nocarcinogenic ingredients; empty the garbage regularly; avoid synthetic air fresheners (use a diffuser with essential oils or soy candles with essential oil scents); and use indoor plants or air purifiers to help clean the air.

What do you think about toxins in cleaning products? Have you changed your housecleaning habits?

Photo courtesy Bethelicious via Flickr.com.

The researchers studied over a thousand women, testing their levels of exposure while on the job to around 300 different substances. Those who had the highest exposure levels before the age of 36 had a higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause. Women who were exposed to acrylic fibers seemed to have a seven-fold risk of breast cancer, while those exposed to nylon fibers almost doubled their risk.

Other dangerous ingredients? “Monoaromatic hydrocarbons (MAH),” which are crude oil byproducts. Things like benzene and toluene. Though this study was evaluating women’s exposure at the workplace, we are all exposed to these chemicals in the environment, particularly in areas contaminated with tobacco smoke and in high-traffic areas. We also find some of these chemicals in our personal-care products.

In this study, exposure to occupational levels of MAHs in the early decades of life also increased a woman’s risk of postmenopausal breast cancer—doubling it for each 10-year increase in exposure.

Researchers are highly cautious on these results. They warn that the findings could be due to chance or undetected bias. David Coggon, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at Britain’s Southampton University, said studies of this sort “carry little weight in the absence of stronger supportive evidence from other research.”

So if the findings are so iffy, why bother with such a study? The scientists, from Quebec, Canada, say that the results illustrate how sensitive breast tissue is to chemical exposure—especially during critical child-bearing years. “Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that breast tissue is more sensitive to adverse effects if exposure occurs when breast cells are still proliferating,” the study reports. They suggest that further studies are needed to understand the role of chemicals in the development of breast cancer.

Our takeaway from this? It’s a confirmation that highly educated, professional researchers are taking chemical exposure seriously—particularly in trying to understand breast cancer. This study may be less about synthetic fibers and MAHs, and more about how we need to take steps for ourselves and our families to reduce our chemical exposure—and protect our health.

Have you taken steps to reduce your chemical exposure? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy Jom Manilat via Flickr.com.

The National Mango board commissioned a variety of studies to help figure out just what the fruit had to offer, health-wise. It’s not one of the antioxidant powerhouses, like the blueberry or pomegranate, but the board wondered—did it have other talents? Indeed it does, as researchers at Texas AgriLife Research discovered that mango prevented or stopped cancer growth in certain lines.

“What we found,” said lead researcher Dr. Susanne Talcott, “is that not all cell lines are sensitive to the same extent to an anticancer agent. But the breast and colon cancer lines underwent…programmed cell death.” Better yet, the fruit left the normal, healthy cells unharmed.

The active ingredient in the mango is the gallotannin, bioactive compounds similar to those found in grape seeds, wine, and tea. The fruit is also rich in carotenoids; vitamins A, C, E, and B; and minerals like potassium, calcium, and copper. It’s also a good source of iron, and the peel and pulp also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. According to elements4health.com, mangoes also aid in digestion, as they have enzymes that help break down proteins.

The Texas AgriLife Research isn’t the only evidence that mango may be effective against cancer cells. Scientsts at the Industrial Toxicology Research Center found that mango pulp suppressed prostate tumor cells in mice. A 2001 study at the University of Florida showed that Mangoes contain several cancer-fighting components. A study in Mexico found that rats who consumed mango water had higher levels of antioxidants in their blood. And Indian researchers at the Department of Surgical Oncology found that mango consumption was associated with a reduced risk of gall bladder cancer.

Though these studies look promising, we need many more before we can be sure of the mango’s talents. In the meantime, this fruit is relatively low in calories and makes a healthy snack, so why not indulge a bit and gain the health benefits on the side? We’ve included a simple smoothie recipe at the end of this post (courtesy of Diana Rattray, writing for About.com). For more delicious mango goodies like mango-curry chicken and avocado-tomato-mango salsa, see allrecipes.com.

Simple mango smoothie:

• 1 cup mango, peeled and diced
• 1 cup plain or vanilla nonfat yogurt
• ½ cup crushed ice
• Milk (optional)

Place first three ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend. Add milk to achieve desired consistency. Makes 2 servings.

Do you have a favorite mango dish? Please share with us.

Photo courtesy Farl via Flickr.com.

“I don’t understand why they make women who have dense breast tissue go through so many hoops and emotions to find out that they are okay,” says fellow responder MesaMom. “It’s so time consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining.”

It’s something most of us haven’t heard much about, at least compared to other risk factors like smoking, drinking, and weight gain. But according to recent studies, having “dense breasts” may be an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Researchers from Toronto, Canada, for example, found that women who developed breast cancer had, on average, a baseline mammographic density that was 5.8 percentage points greater than the women who had not developed cancer. Then they compared women who had extensive breast density (density in more than 75% of their breast) with women who had only a small amount (less than 10%). Women with the most dense breasts had 4.7 times the odds of being diagnosed with breast cancer less than 12 months after a negative screening test.

This is a significant increase. But don’t panic. “You should not make the mistake in thinking that if you have dense breasts your risk is nearly five times greater,” says Dr. Susan Love. “The average 50-year-old woman has a 2.5 percent risk of developing breast cancer over 10 years. If she has extensive breast density, the risk doubles to five percent.”

What are dense breasts? According to thinkpinker.com, “When women are young, their breasts are made up of the specialized breast tissue that produces milk during lactation. This tissue is very thick, or dense. As women age, the breast tissue changes. Fat replaces the dense milk-producing breast tissue.”

Thicker, denser tissue makes it more difficult to find anything out of the ordinary on a mammogram. It shows up white—the same color as a tumor or cyst. “Dense breasts can make traditional mammograms more difficult to interpret,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Dense breast tissue appears as a solid white area on a mammogram film, and fat appears as a dark area. Mammogram X-rays do not penetrate—or ‘see through’—dense tissues as well as they do fat. Tumors also are dense tissue and appear as solid white areas on the mammograms.”

Scientists don’t know why some women have more dense breasts than others. And most women can’t tell by the feel of the breast—usually only a mammogram can determine the type of tissue. If you’ve been told you have dense breasts, however, you may be wondering: Does a traditional mammogram do any good? Particularly if you, like the women quoted earlier, have suffered multiple mammograms and other tests as your doctors try to determine what’s what.

“Attention should be directed to the development and evaluation of alternative imaging techniques” for women who have dense breast tissue, say the Canadian researchers. The Mayo Clinic agrees, saying that a digital mammogram is somewhat better than film, as images can be enhanced and magnified for closer viewing. Other than that, we’re still waiting for new developments in screening, and meanwhile doctors recommend that any mammogram is better than none.

Meanwhile, you can do things to reduce your risk. A recent study found that overweight postmenopausal women who exercised reduced their breast density. Another point for exercise! Have you started walking yet? And don’t forget—breast density is just one risk factor. You can still lower your overall risk of breast cancer by eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking, among other things. In addition, try to find a healthcare provider who uses a digital machine. You may also want to make an appointment at a high-risk clinic. Breast specialists there may have other preventative advice for you.

Have you experienced multiple screenings and tests because of your dense breasts? Please tell us your story.

Photo courtesy lemmetakeurphoto via Flickr.com.

Sometimes we can feel terribly helpless when it comes to friends with cancer. When I had cancer at 16 years old, most of my friends had no idea what to do or say. It’s almost easier when it’s a family member, as we feel we have “permission” to do anything we can think of to help. It’s different with a friend. How can we be sure what she will see as helpful, and what she will feel as intrusive?

Is there a guide to help your girlfriend through cancer? Now there is! Denise Hazen, cancer survivor, wrote a book called, Treat her like a Princess: How to Help Your Girlfriend with Breast Cancer, and in it, she shares many ways in which you, as a good friend, can help. Here are a few tips from the book—you can grab it from Amazon to read more!

Food: Regardless of your friend’s status (single, married, divorced, with kids, without kids), she will need to eat. Ask about any special dietary issues, and then consider setting up a grocery delivery service or dinner schedule. Get together with other girlfriends and choose days to take meals to her. You may want to ask your friend to write up a grocery list and go to the store for her. If she resists, remind her that grocery stores are full of germs, and if she’s going through chemo, she needs to protect herself as much as possible. Don’t forget things like popsicles and ice cream, as these are helpful for mouth sores and appetite problems.

Thank you notes: Your girlfriend is going to be overwhelmed with health-related tasks during her treatment. She’s likely to have little time to keep up with all the well wishes coming her way. Consider taking control of communication with friends and extended family. Send regular update e-mails for her. Write thank-you notes for gifts and services rendered.

Notes from doctor’s visits: If your friend doesn’t already have someone going with her to doctor’s visits to take notes, volunteer. Most likely she isn’t going to be in the best frame of mind to ask intelligent questions. Take a notebook, help her organize and list her medications (for the doctor’s reference), and talk to her beforehand to get down any questions she may have before going to the appointment.

Kids: If your friend has children, she’s probably going to be worried about them. How will they react to her illness? How will she keep up with their activities? Offer to help explain the situation, or to help drive the kids to dance class and football practice if needed. In some cases you may want to contribute to their lunches, or offer to help with homework. If your friend owns a pet, make sure its not neglected by offering to take the dog for a walk, to the groomer, or to the vet.

A listening ear: For many cancer patients, the one thing they really need—and rarely get—is someone willing to listen, really listen, with an empathetic ear. Too many people respond the wrong way, with false encouragements or admonishments to “be positive” or comparisons like, “my aunt had breast cancer and she made it through just fine.” Resist the urge to advise, and just listen and empathize with your friend. If she says, “I feel terrible today. I’m afraid I’m going to die,” refrain from saying something like, “Of course you won’t die.” Instead, empathize with how she feels. “That must be really scary. Do you think the doctor feels that way, too?” You can help her ease her fear with gentle inquiry, but be sure to always validate her feelings.

Have you helped a girlfriend through breast cancer? What did you find she needed most?

Photo courtesy wiryodisastro via Flickr.com.

I have one question for you: Have you tried meditation? A recent study shows that you should. Researchers at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago studied over 100 breast-cancer patients for over two years and found that those who regularly practiced transcendental meditation experienced less stress, better emotional and mental well being, and an overall improvement in quality of life.

According to Sanford Nidich, the study’s lead author, research shows that stress and anxiety can be contributing factors in the onset and progression of breast cancer and even mortality. “It is wonderful that physicians now have a range of interventions to use,” said co-author Rhoda Pomerantz, “including transcendental meditation, to benefit their patients with cancer. I believe this approach should be appreciated and used more widely.”

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says that in the last 20 years, meditation has shown in studies to help reduce anxiety, stress, blood pressure, chronic pain, and insomnia. They mention that in a study of 90 cancer patients who did meditation, nearly a third had fewer symptoms of stress, and over two-thirds had fewer mood disturbances.

So what is transcendental meditation? The most researched type of meditation, it’s based on the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who began helping others learn the technique in the 1950s. “Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural program for the mind,” said Maharishi, “a spontaneous, effortless march of the mind to its own unbounded essence….It’s not a set of beliefs, a philosophy, a lifestyle, or a religion. It’s an experience, a mental technique one practices every day for fifteen or twenty minutes.”

What exactly does one “practice?” The idea is to create a state of “restful alertness,” where mind and body are in a deep kind of restfulness, but not asleep. This allows body and mind to really relax and escape from the worries and anxieties of everyday living. “The very deep rest gained during 20 minutes of Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation,” says Robert Roth, author of Maharishi Manesh Yogi’s Transcendental Meditation, “allows the body to rejuvenate itself and throw off the accumulated stress and fatigue that has built up over the years.”

According to the Transcendental Meditation Organization, the technique of the practice is very simple. Basically, you find a quiet place where you feel comfortable, sit down, close your eyes, and allow your mind to “settle inward” until you’re experiencing a quiet, peaceful level of consciousness. As you experience this, your body achieves a high level of relaxation, and your mind becomes more alert. Though there are many types of meditation you can try, this particular type has a plethora of studies linking it to health benefits.

“The TM [transcendental meditation] technique is the most widely researched of all meditation techniques,” says the Transcendental Meditation site. “Over 600 research studies have been conducted at over 250 universities and research centers….These studies have been published in more than 100 journals.”

The nice thing about this type of meditation is that it’s very easy to do. Women in the study mentioned at the beginning of this post said that part of their success was the simplicity of the technique. If you want to learn how, check out the TM site for techniques, click here for instructional books from Maharishi himself, here for books from other authors, and here for a quick video on the technique from Deepak Chopra. You can also check your area for classes.

Have you tried transcendental meditation? What was your experience?

Photo courtesy stress-relief via Flickr.com.

Parabens are popular preservatives used in a wide range of cosmetic products, like shampoos, lotions, shave gels, soaps, makeups, and more. The Journal of the American College of Toxicology reported parabens are currently used in over 13,000 hygiene products. They help deter bacteria from forming, which means the product lasts longer on your shelves. You’ll find them listed on the ingredient deck as methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben.

These preservatives were first approved for use in 1984, when the FDA determined they were safe. They’ve been ingredients of concern lately, however, because studies have shown their ability to mimic estrogen. A 2002 study showed they can act like estrogen in the body—so much so that they can cause breast cancer cells to grow and proliferate. However, a 1998 study showed that the estrogenic activity of parabens is 10,000-100,000-fold less than the activity of regular estrogen cells. And a 2007 review said that, based on maximum daily exposure estimates, parabens could not increase the risk of estrogen-mediated breast cancer.

But then there’s that study where scientists actually found parabens, intact, in breast tumor tissue. And not just in some—all the samples had at least one paraben, with methylparaben showing up the most. This wasn’t a perfect study. It was small—only 20 women—and the results weren’t compared to women without breast cancer. And it didn’t show that parabens cause breast cancer, only that it was there, in the cancerous tissue.

There’s no doubt that most people walking around today are carrying chemicals in their bodies. (We talked about this in a former post.) A 2008 Dateline NBC story followed 2 families—all members showed in tests to have low-to-moderate levels of 40 chemicals, including parabens. Obviously it doesn’t feel good knowing that we have these chemicals inside us. But are parabens any more dangerous than the others?

Simply put, we don’t know. Science doesn’t know. So far the studies are concerning, but inconclusive. Yes, they found parabens in breast-tumor tissue, but did those parabens have anything to do with causing those tumors? We don’t have the answer yet.

What we do know is that parabens can quite easily penetrate skin, that they do have some estrogenic activity (though weak), and that they can survive, intact, in our body tissues. Beyond that, we need more studies. In the meantime, what do we do?

We at Cinco Vidas just don’t feel comfortable with the idea of estrogenic chemicals hanging around inside us. It’s just not worth the risk. If you, like us, want to avoid piling up potentially dangerous chemicals in your body, watch the ingredient lists on the products you purchase, and avoid those that list parabens. Alternative preservatives that appear more safe include vitamins E and C (tocopherol and ascorbic acid); essential oils like tea tree, thyme, and neem seed; and grapefruit seed and rosemary extracts.

Are you avoiding parabens? Please share your thoughts.

Photo courtesy Pixels of Asta via Flickr.com.

That’s the conclusion reached by a group of researchers who examined epidemiological findings and over 3,000 research studies on vitamin D and cancer. According to their published paper, “It is projected that raising the minimum year-round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL would prevent approximately 59,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada….Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half.”

So what does that mean? How much should we be getting? “There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D3,” researchers say.

Why aren’t we hearing more about this? Well, aside from the reports in the health media, marketers may be worried about confusing the public. After all, it’s taken years of messaging and lots of cash to convince people to use sunscreen and avoid the dangerous UV rays from the sun. Now, research is telling us we’re not getting enough vitamin D—as much as 85% of the public may be deficient, according to this recent paper—and one of the best ways to get it is from the sun! So what gives?

Since the benefits of vitamin D go beyond cancer prevention—it is essential for calcium absorption, can prevent or reverse osteoporosis, maintains immune function, and may prevent high blood pressure—it makes sense to explore how we can get more of it into our bodies. Of course, sun exposure is an easy, free, and efficient method, and the best way for your body to absorb the nutrient. (UVB radiation doesn’t penetrate glass, so exposure to sunshine though a window doesn’t produce vitamin D.)

But you don’t have to go overboard and increase your risk of skin cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, as little as 10 minutes is enough to prevent deficiencies. Health.com reports that for every minute you spend in peak summer sunlight, your body can product about 1,000 IU of vitamin D. They recommend 5-10 minutes of sunshine without sunscreen on your arms, legs, or back between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. three days a week. Women with medium-to-dark skin tones may need to up that level (by gradually increasing exposure) to 15-30 minutes. Do use sunscreen on your face and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

If you’re at risk for skin cancer, live in a cloudy climate, or find yourself suffering weeks of overcast skies in the winter, you can get your vitamin D from other sources. Fish oil and cod-liver oils both contain high levels of the nutrient, or you can try a regular pill form—just make sure it’s vitamin D3, not D2. D3 is the type your skin naturally produces when exposed to sunlight. D2 is obtained from plant sources and thought to be less effective. Certain foods also contain vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Check out this Vitamin D Fact Sheet provided by the Office of Dietary Supplements for more sources.

Have you experienced a vitamin D deficiency? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy tamelyn via Flickr.com.

Heidi Floyd, breast-cancer survivor, and her son, Noah.

Breast cancer was in her family. Her mother had passed away when she was only in her 40s. So she knew she was at risk—but she never expected to be diagnosed while she was pregnant.

Her name is Heidi Floyd, and today she serves as Breast Cancer Development Ambassador for the Very Bradley Foundation, traveling the nation raising money for breast cancer research. But when she was diagnosed, she was working in IT sales, and didn’t know where to turn. “The first oncologist I spoke to didn’t know how to treat a pregnant patient,” she says. “He told me my options were to terminate the pregnancy, or carry the baby to term while not addressing the cancer.”

Heidi’s cancer was aggressive, and growing fast. An “estrogen-fed” tumor, it was actually thriving in the estrogen-rich environment of her pregnant body. To not treat it would leave her with low odds of survival—and potentially leave her unborn baby (and three beautiful daughters) without a mother. Fortunately, Heidi was working for a company who had just made a large donation to the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, where researchers study the latest in breast cancer treatment. Heidi’s boss recommended she get in touch with the center.

“My other doctors had been in tears talking to me, as they didn’t know what to do,” Heidi says. “This oncologist was calm. He had treated dozens of pregnant women before. He reassured me that while treatment would be difficult for me, it would not be as difficult for my baby. He showed me other children he had helped take care of. They were healthy. They were fine. I had hope!”

Heidi started treatment, with a baby growing in her belly. As the doctor said, it was difficult. She couldn’t take anti-nausea medications, or drugs to help stabilize her white blood count, as these would be harmful to the fetus. “I would always get chemo on Friday, and then Monday I would go in for an ultrasound. They checked my baby constantly.”

Meanwhile, Heidi worked full time for Vera Bradley. “The women there were with me during my whole treatment. They sat with me, held my hand, made meals for my family. It’s a very rare company. They don’t just say they care, they really do.”

Noah, Heidi’s son, was taken by C-section a month premature. Heidi desperately needed radiation, and no kind of radiation is safe for the fetus. Fortunately, the baby was fine. “His immune system was compromised, because mine was compromised,” Heidi says, “so I wasn’t able to be with him for the first few days. It seemed far too long!” After the birth, Heidi went through additional surgeries, including a partial mastectomy. When asked how she made it through it all, she credits her son, and her faith. “I had something really worth fighting for in my mind—my unborn baby. Plus, my faith kept me going. I’m a Christian person, and I realized I, personally, could do nothing about this situation. I had to turn it over to God, and to the doctors, whom I trusted, and let it ride.”

For other women facing similar challenges, Heidi emphasizes the importance of finding a doctor with whom you can feel comfortable. “You’re basically handing this person your life,” she says, “and asking them to fix it. You have to be positive and strong as you fight through this—so you have to have someone you feel has your back. I met a woman in California who had to go through 4 doctors before she found one who would treat her while she was pregnant. Not all doctors are on the same level. You have to feel comfortable and trust your instincts. Everything depends on it.”

Today, Noah is a happy and healthy 4-year-old little boy. In August of 2010, Heidi will have reached her 5-year mark. She no longer works in the IT sales department, but at the request of her boss, is one of three people who promotes the Vera Bradley Foundation for breast cancer research. “Our money goes to research, period,” she says. “The Vera Bradley Corporation supports services for breast cancer patients, but the foundation strictly supports research.”

Heidi finds great satisfaction in her work now, as she can offer women hope. “So many times, when fundraising, we’re talking about loss. How someone lost their mother, their grandmother, their daughter. I’m able to offer a different perspective, as my battle resulted not only in my life being saved, but the life of my son. This little boy is here because of the research we have supported. He is the outcome.”

What would Heidi tell other moms diagnosed with cancer? “You’re stronger than you think you are. Don’t be afraid. This is the best time in your life to prove that someone else is more important than you are. If you’re fighting for the baby, great. If you’re fighting for someone in the family, great. Fight for someone, and don’t stop.”

To learn more about the Vera Bradley Foundation, go to their website. To learn more about Heidi, her family, and her fight against breast cancer, see “On the Road with the Vera Bradley Foundation.”

Most of us have been so well educated in exams and mammograms that we think they, alone, will warn us of any possible problems. But these methods aren’t foolproof. Many women have saved their own lives by being aware of cancer symptoms, and reporting any unusual sensations or concerns to their doctor.

Below are potential signs or symptoms of breast cancer. No need to be paranoid, as changes in your breasts are usually not related to cancer, but if you experience any of these, check with your doctor just to be safe.  (From “Breast Cancer Symptoms” by Andrea Markowitz, Ph.D., and the Mayo Clinic.)

• Lumps or masses in the breast or underarm—these can be either painless and hard, with uneven edges, or tender, soft, and rounded.
• Pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple.
• Skin irritation or dimpling.
• Redness, scaliness, swollenness, or ridges.
• Thickening of the breast, nipple, or area around the nipple.
• Pitting (looks like an orange skin).
• Changes in the breast, like swelling, changes in how it looks or feels, changes in the size or shape, or changes in the nipple (e.g., it turns inward, thickens or produces a discharge).

Note: Studies show that women whose breasts became tender after taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had nearly twice the risk of developing breast cancer, so do not ignore tenderness, especially if you took HRT in the past.

If you do find a lump, try not to panic. Most breast lumps, according to the Mayo Clinic, are noncancerous—as many as four out of five that are biopsied. Other subtle changes may be normal as well, as the tissues can fluctuate as to their softness or hardness depending on your menstrual cycle. Breast tissue also becomes more fatty as you age. The biggest signal that you need to see your doctor is a change, one that seems to you unusual. If one breast has a lump that feels different from the other breast, for example, and if that lump doesn’t go away after your next period, or gets progressively larger.

Once you inform your doctor of your concerns, he/she will typically perform a breast exam and/or mammography to determine what is causing the issue. Even if you had a recent mammogram, if you find a lump or notice other changes in your breast, don’t be afraid to make another appointment. Remember that sometimes breast cancer shows no symptoms that you can see or feel, so don’t forget to schedule regular screenings.

Did you discover breast cancer through your own intuition? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy jrbett via Flickr.com.