Breast Cancer Awareness - Do’s and Don’ts
Article by Lauren Archer, CH
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so here are some
Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when you or someone you know has
been diagnosed.
DO – Offer support. If you haven’t been through the process
of breast cancer yourself, then turn to The Angel Care Breast Cancer
Foundation, founded by Redmond resident Jan Harris. She and other
breast cancer survivors serve as mentors and role models, offering
hope and encouragement to anyone who is dealing with a diagnosis.
They offer free comprehensive online resources, compassionate phone
support, and will even attend doctor’s appointments on request.
DON’T – “Listen to or repeat horror stories of people who
have had bad experiences,” Harris cautions. “Treatments have greatly
improved over the past 5 – 10 years, and aren’t nearly as bad as
what our thoughts can be. Our mental thoughts make a big difference.
You can think of chemo as a positive thing – like additive
insurance.”
DO – Research the mind-body connection and healing, with
books like “The Biology of Belief,” by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.,
“Molecules of Emotion,’ by Candace Pert, Ph.D., and “Timeless
Healing,” by Herbert Benson, M.D.
DON’T – Commit “metaphysical malpractice.” While there is a
vast body of research that validates the mind-body connection, never
suggest that someone “created” their illness by negative thinking.
DO – Research all the data on the available options for
treatment during the early decision-making process.
DON’T – Criticize another’s choice of treatment. According to
Cari Schaefer, M.A., TCM, L.Ac. with Designed Clinical Nutrition in
Redmond, “Whether you agree or disagree, once someone has decided on
the care they’re going to pursue, it’s important to support them
100% in the choice they have made. The certainty level they have
about the decision they make has a lot to do with how they recover
from their procedure.”
DO – Research additional ways to support the well-being of
the whole person. “Holistically, we seek to find the causes of
stress and eliminate them,” Schaefer adds. “You can cut out the
problem, but unless you handle where the problem came from, it’s
more likely to recur.” The Washington State Holistic Chamber of
Commerce lists Puget Sound area members that provide complementary
therapies for supporting health and well-being, including
nutritional counseling, acupuncture, energy work, and hypnotherapy.
As recently as August, 2007, a study on breast cancer found that
women who received hypnosis prior to their surgery required less
anesthesia and reported an easier recovery. David Spiegel, MD, of
Stanford University's medical school, said "If a drug were to do
that, everyone would be using it by now."
DO – Help with meals and chores. Kay Conley, owner of Month
of Meals, a Redmond company that offers healthy, prepared meals,
says many of her customers use her service to pick up pre-made meals
for themselves or others, which saves time and energy. Consider
getting a group of people together to support a friend in need.
DON’T – Just hand someone a gift certificate. Conley says “in
a crisis situation, they may be too overwhelmed with their medical
issues to take action.” Instead, actually take them places, or
deliver your gifts in person.
BREAST CANCER PREVENTION
Although no one knows why, it turns out that here in the Seattle
area, we have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer (1 in 7, vs. 1
in 8 nationwide). In addition to regular screenings, what can we do
to lower our risks?
DO-- Exercise. According to the American Cancer Society,
“moderate or vigorous physical activity, and maintaining a healthy
body weight” are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
DON’T -- Wear underwire bras or anti-perspirant. “The
underwire can impede the flow of lymph from the breast tissue, and
anti-perspirant stops the flow of sweat, which helps release toxins
from our system,” Schaefer explains. Choose natural deodorants
instead. Furthermore, Schaefer encourages everyone to reduce or
eliminate exposure to “Xenoestrogens,” a group of chemicals found in
certain preservatives in our skin care and hair care products, in
plastic sources, and in pesticides. These chemicals may either block
normal estrogen or mimic estrogen in our bodies, increasing our risk
for breast and reproductive health abnormalities.
DO - Go for a walk. The American Cancer Society’s “Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk is taking place on Sunday,
October 14 at the Downtown Bellevue Park.
Awareness Makes a Difference
The good news is that we live in the information age, and knowledge
is power. Our communities have state-of-the art medical facilities,
as well as dedicated practitioners of integrative approaches to
health. There are thousands of cancer survivors willing to lend
their support, so help is available physically, mentally, and
emotionally. Becoming more aware of what to say and do for a breast
cancer diagnosis helps us all to be stronger, as we develop new ways
to nurture ourselves and each other.
Lauren Archer is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and an
ACE Certified Personal Trainer with a private practice on English
Hill. Her website, www.PositiveCentral.com, offers free resources
for integrative health and wellness.
Breast Cancer & Wellness